In this chapter, you learned that a verb must agree with its subject in person (first, second, third) and in number (singular, plural). Good writers are very conscious of subject-verb agreement.

The verb must agree with the subject, not with the intervening words or prepositional phrases that appear between the subject and verb. When a compound subject is connected by and, a plural verb is necessary. When a compound subject is joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the subject nearer the verb. A linking verb should agree with the subject, not with its subject complement.

Some indefinite pronouns require singular verbs; some require plural verbs. Indefinite pronouns such as all, any, more, most, none, and some use singular or plural verbs depending on the pronoun reference.

Singular verbs are used when names of companies, institutions, organizations, and publications are the subjects in sentences. Singular verbs are also used with money, time periods, numbers, and measurements. A plural verb is used with anumber of. A singular verb is used with the number of.

Examples of inverted sentences are sentences that begin with here and there and sentences in the form of questions. The subject in an inverted sentence appears after the verb; therefore, the subject must be located first, and then the verb must be made to agree.

Special consideration is given to nouns ending in ics and to gerund phrases. Depending on the intended reference, singular or plural verbs may be used with words ending in ics. Singular verbs are used when gerund phrases are the subjects in sentences.