Definition:Verbs
must agree with their subjects according to number (singular and
plural)
and to person (first, second, or third). There are a few tricky
situations
for which the following rules will help:
1.
Be careful that the words (usually prepositional phrases) that separate
the subject from the verb DO NOT determine the verb.
Example:
The
samples
on the tray in the lab
need (not needs) testing.
2.
Subjects that are joined by and usually take plural verbs.
Example:
Sarah
and Bill sing every Friday at the opera house.
3.
Subjects joined by neither . . . nor, either .
. .
or,
or simply or have verbs that agree with part of the subject
closest
to the verb.
Example:
Neither
the coach nor his playerswere (the subject players
determines this verb) satisfied with their performance.
Example:
A
driver's license or two credit cardsare required.
4.
Indefinite pronouns (anybody, everyone, each, anyone, someone) that act
as subjects usually take singular verbs.
Example:
Each
of the puppies has been taken to a good home.
Example:
Everyone
who elected the course was being tutored.
5.
Collective nouns (jury, committee, team, audience, crowd) that act as
subjects
usually take singular verbs.
Example:
The
search committee was deadlocked over choosing the right
person
for the job.
6.
A verb must agree with its subject even if the verb comes after the
subject
of the sentence.
Example:
There
are
three trees resting against the fence.
Example:
Under
the mighty oak tree sits our
dog.