1. When the subject is followed by a phrase, the verb agrees with the subject, not the noun in the phrase.
Example:
The basket of fruits is on the table
The bottles of jam are on the table, too
One of the boys is here
2. Use plural form of the verb when the subject consists of two or more nouns connected by and, and the nouns refer to different persons or things. Use the singular form of the verb when the nouns refer to the same thing.
Example:
The City Hall and the GSIS Building are familiar sights to city dwellers.
The Secretary and the treasurer are here to see you.
Bread and butter is his usual breakfast.
Bread and butter are sold at the supermarket.
3. When two or more subjects are joined by or, either-or, and neither-nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
Example:
Either the young man or his friends are making noise.
Either the ladies or young wife disapproves of Mikes action.
Neither the sailor nor the boys were to blame.
4. Use the singular form of the verb when the collective noun is thought of as a unit-acting as one; use the plural form of the verb when the collective noun is thought of as a collection of separate units or individuals.
Example:
Example:
The committee has decided.
The committee has expressed different opinions.
The class is very quite.
The class is writing thei compositions.
Your team were trying their new uniforms when we came.
5. Use a plural form of the verb when an adjective is referring to people as a class is used as collective nouns.
Example:
The poor have hopes and dreams, too
The weak are not cowards.
6. some nouns that are always singular in form with the plural form shown through expressions of quantity are shown in the box that follows. Recent usage however, allows the addition of -s to show the plural form.
Example:
| Singular Expressions of Quantity ( Conventional ) | Pluralize Expressions of Quantity ( Conventional ) |
| bread/ a slice / loaf of | loaves/ slices of bread |
| baggage, a piece of | pieces of baggage |
| blood, drop of | drops of blood |
7. Use plural verbs with nouns generally used in the plural-singular equivalents of some of these nouns take singular verbs.
Example:
| Plural | Singular Equivalents |
| clothes | a box of clothes |
| trousers | a box of trousers |
| scissors | a pair of scissors |
8. Use singular verbs with nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning.
Example:
Mathematics seems easy.
The news has spread.
9. Use singular verbs with nouns proceeded by an expressions of amount of quantity that refers to amount of money, time or distance.
Example:
Five years is a long time.
Fifteen pesos has been spent.
Two kilometers seems far.
10. Use singular verbs to express functions or portion of a whole if the headword is singular, use plural if the headword is plural.
Example:
One-half of the math class is here.
Twenty percent of the paintings are display.
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