Category Archives: singular

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As we’ve learned before, a verb must always agree in number and person with the subject. See Singular Verb, Plural Subject, Both . . . and, It’s All About the Agreement. But what if the “person” is an entity? Do you then use a singular or plural verb?

Typically, if you are talking about the entity as a unit, you use singular verb:

• The committee meets on the third Thursday of each month.
• The firm has earned many accolades.

If the entity is a company, it is usually treated as a unit. Just be sure that you carry the treatment as singular or plural every time you are talking about that entity. For instance:

• ABC Corporation has ended its lease term. It is now looking for new office space.
• NOT: ABC Corporation has ended its lease term. They are now looking for new office space. This example is inconsistent in treatment. If you are going to treat ABC Corporation as a single entity, then it is looking for space.

If you are want to emphasize that the members of the entity are acting independently, then a plural verb is correct:

• The committee left the meeting together.
• The staff have successfully staggered their vacations.
• The jury left their notes in the jury box.

To help figure it out, replace the entity with “it” and replace members of the entity with “they” to make sure you are using the right verb. Using the examples above, replace the entity with the word in parenthesis to see how it works:

• The committee (it) meets on the third Thursday of each month.
• The firm (it) has earned many accolades.
• The committee (they) left the meeting together.
• The staff (they) have successfully staggered their vacations.
• The jury (they) left their notes in the jury box.

Hopefully that was useful to you. If it was, please share this post so others can be as smart as you are!

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We’ll look at more subject/verb agreement today. If you missed last week’s topic, please see “Singular Verb, Plural Subject, Both . . . and, It’s All About the Agreement.”

When you have two subjects connected by and and preceded by each, every, many a, or many an, use a singular verb.

• Every car, truck, and van on the street is going 15 miles over the speed limit.

The same sentence without every would use a plural verb.

• All cars, trucks, and vans on the street are going 15 miles over the speed limit.

When you have two singular words joined by or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, not only . . . but also, the subject is singular and so you use a singular verb.

• Neither the bride nor the groom was ready to walk down the aisle.
• Either basil or mint is called for in the recipe.
• Not only billing but also his expense reimbursement needs to get done on the first day of the month.

If, however, the subject is two or more plural words joined by or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, not only . . . but also, then the subject is plural and you must use a plural verb.

• Neither the paralegals nor the attorneys have any time for that project.
• Either red roses or white daisies make her happy.

Just to keep it confusing, if you have a singular and a plural subject joined by or, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, not only . . . but also, your verb should agree with the nearest part of the subject. It usually sounds better to have plural verbs, so where possible, you should try to move the plural subject closest to the verb whenever you can.

• Neither Joe nor his brothers are going to the beach.
• Neither Joe’s brothers nor Joe is going to the beach.
• Not only research knowledge but also grammar skills are important in a job search.

When you have an intervening clause between subject and verb (or multiple subjects and a verb), ignore the intervening clause to determine if you need a singular or plural verb.

• The point of the exercises was to teach correct use of apostophes.
• Only one of the examinees was prepared with supplies.

I hope that helps with subject/verb agreement. If you have any questions about this or have another topic you would like to see covered, please let me know at [email protected]. Also remember that you can add your email address to the “Subscribe to Blog via Email” area on the top right hand side of the page and the posts will be emailed to you! Lastly, if you are learning something, please share with others who might be interested. Thanks!

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One thing everyone learned in the fourth grade that hasn’t changed is that your verb must agree with your subject–both in number and person. For example:

• He is anxious for his test results. (Singular verb is agrees with singular subject he.)
• They are the noisiest group in the office. (Plural verb are agrees with plural subject they.)
• Your order for six laptops is on the reception desk. (Singular verb is agrees with singular subject order.)

Where you have a subject with two or more words connected by and or both  . . . and, the subject is plural and requires a plural verb.

• Andy and Sharon were nominated for office.
• Both the set up and delivery of the computer were included in the price.

However, when two things connected with and actually refer to the same thing, use a singular verb.

• Hamhocks and beans is his favorite New Year’s Day tradition. (Hamhocks and beans is one dish so it needs the singular verb is.)
• The secretary and treasurer of the association is Mary. (Two positions handled by one person requires the singular verb is.)

That’s it for today, but we will follow up with more next week. Go forth and engage in plural and singular subject/verb agreement!

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