Identifying the Subject and the Verb in a Sentence
The verb's singular or plural form is determined by the subject. Each
sentence contains one specific subject. By identifying the subject and
the corresponding verb in a sentence, you can accurately determine
whether to use the singular or plural form of the verb.
What is a finite verb? A finite verb is a verb that is in agreement
with its subject and expresses a tense. There can only be one specific
subject and one finite verb in a sentence. The finite verb is also
referred to as the main verb. For example:
My wife wants to go
shopping.
👉 The verb in this sentence is “wants.” Because the
subject is singular “My wife,” the verb uses the singular form
“wants”.
I
want a
job that can help me grow.
👉 The verb in this sentence is “want”, the subject is "I", and “help”
is the verb in the adjective clause “that can help me grow”, not the
finite verb of this sentence.
The man
sitting next to me
looks
familiar.
👉 The verb in this sentence is “look”, “sitting next to me” is a
participle sentence, and “sitting” is not a finite verb in this
sentence.
I was surprised to hear the news.
👉 The verb in
this sentence is “was”, and the infinitive “to hear” plays the role of
an adverb and is placed after “surprised”.
I
saw
him going out with his ex.
👉 The verb in this sentence is “saw”, and “go out” is a non-finite
verb.
The marketing proposal regarding tapping into the new overseas marke
t
is
unanimously approved.
👉 "regarding tapping into the new overseas market" is an adjective
phrase describing the subject “the marketing proposal”, the subject
“the marketing proposal” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is
used to agree with it.
The discrepancy between demand and supply for the workforce and affordable housing is enormous at all times.
👉 The phrase "between demand and supply for the workforce and
affordable housing" is an adjective phrase describing the subject “the
discrepancy”, the subject “the discrepancy” is singular, so the
singular verb “is” is used to agree with it.
Most of the job applicants who are suitable for the managerial position
have experience working at an overseas branch.
👉 "who are suitable for the managerial position" is an adjective
clause describing the subject “Most of the job applicants”, the
subject “Most of the job applicants” is plural, so the plural verb
“have” is used to agree with it.
Example: Furniture that was
stored at the storage room ____ to the conference hall for the
upcoming annual conference.
(A) have relocated
(B) has been relocated
(C) has relocated
(D) relocated
The correct answer is
(B) has been relocated.
(A) "have relocated" is incorrect because "have" is the plural form,
which does not agree with the singular subject "furniture". Besides,
"relocated" in this form is active, which means the subject itself
did the action, which is not true in this context.
(C) "has relocated" is also incorrect because it is an active form.
This would mean that the furniture moved by itself, which is not
logical.
(D) "relocated" is a simple past tense verb. While this form agrees
with the singular subject, it is incorrect because it implies that
the action is completely done and has no connection to the present,
which does not fit the context of the sentence.
In this sentence, the subject is "furniture", which is a singular
noun. so, it requires a singular verb for agreement. In this case,
the action (relocating) is not done by the furniture itself, but
rather, it is done to the furniture by someone else. Hence, we need
a passive verb form. The present perfect passive form is "has been
relocated", which shows that the action started in the past and has
an effect on the present situation.
Example: The regulations listed
on the first page of the employee handbook ____ the code of conduct
employees are expected to adhere to.
(A) describing
(B) is describing
(C) describes
(D) describe
The correct answer is
(D) describe.
(A) “describing” - This is incorrect because it is a gerund (verb
acting as a noun) or participle (verb acting as an adjective), not a
simple verb that can agree with the subject 'regulations'.
(B) “is describing” - This choice uses the singular form of the verb
'to be' (is) with the present participle 'describing'. However, 'is'
contradicts the plural subject 'regulations'. Hence, 'are
describing' would have been correct.
(C) “describes” - This is the singular form of the verb 'describe',
which does not align with the plural subject 'regulations'. Hence,
this choice is incorrect.
The subject of the sentence here is 'regulations,' which is a plural
noun. According to the subject-verb agreement rule, plural subjects
require plural verbs. Hence, 'describe' is appropriate here as it is
the plural form of the verb 'describes'.
Example: Details regarding the
upcoming seminar ____ to all attendees.
(A) e-mail
(B) e-mails
(C) was emailed
(D) were emailed
The correct answer is
(D) were emailed.
(A) “e-mail” is incorrect because it is a singular noun, not a verb.
The sentence requires a plural verb to agree with the plural subject
'Details.'
(B) “e-mails” is also incorrect because it is a plural noun, not a
verb. While it matches 'Details' in number, it cannot function as a
verb in this sentence.
(C) “was emailed” is incorrect because 'was emailed' is the singular
past tense form of the verb 'to email.' It does not agree in number
with the plural subject 'Details'.
According to the subject-verb agreement rule, the verb in a sentence
should agree in number with the subject. In this sentence, the
subject is 'Details' which is a plural noun. so, the verb must also
be plural. 'Were emailed' is the plural past tense form of the verb
'to email,' so it matches the plural subject 'Details,' making (D)
the correct answer.
▶️ When a gerund or an infinitive is the subject, the verb is
considered singular
Making regular donations to local charities
provides tax advantages.
Outsourcing manufacturing to overseas companies allows companies to save on operational costs and take advantage of lower
labor and production costs overseas.
To host a clearance sale is a common way for a
retailer to sell off stock that is out of season.
▶️ A, along with B (A is B) + subject A corresponding verb
California, along with Florida
and Hawaii,
is among
the most popular US tourist destinations.
▶️ Both A and B + plural verb
Both Helen and her boss
agree to
give each worker 20 days off a year.
Both the cafeteria and the
library
have internet access.
I went to both the bakery
and the butcher shop.
▶️ Either A or B + the verb corresponding to the subject B
Either my uncle
or my grandparents
are coming.
Either the cafeteria
or the library
has internet access.
We will meet up on either Monday
or Tuesday.
▶️Neither A nor B (A, B neither) + subject B corresponding
verb
Neither the swimming pool
nor the gym
is open
on Sundays.
Neither the bread
nor the cakes
are ready
yet.
▶️ Not only A but also B… (Not only A…but also B… ) = B and A +
subject B corresponding verb
Not only Ken's parents
but also Ken
likes to
swim on weekends. = Ken, and his
parents,
likes to
swim on weekends.
The scheme is designed to strengthen domestic demand
and create more job opportunities.
The inspectors
and
I
were surprised at the horrible scene at that time.
Example: The lawyer, along with
his legal assistants, _____ a special report for the hearing.
(A) are working on
(B) working on
(C) have been working on
(D) is working on
The correct answer is
(D) is working on.
(A) "are working on" is incorrect because "are" is the plural form
of the verb. This would be correct if the subject were plural, like
"The lawyers."
(B) "working on" is incorrect because it's not a verb form that can
follow the subject directly. In English, the subject must be
followed by a conjugated verb, and "working on" is not one.
(C) "have been working on" is incorrect because it's the plural
form. It would be correct if the subject were plural, but in this
case, the subject "The lawyer" is singular. Also, it suggests a
continuous action in the past up to the present, which is not what
the sentence is saying. The sentence is talking about a current,
ongoing action.
In the sentence, "The lawyer, along with his legal assistants, _____
a special report for the hearing," the subject is "The lawyer." The
phrase "along with his legal assistants" is a prepositional
phrase—it gives additional information about the subject but does
not change the fact that the subject is singular. so, the verb must
be singular to agree with the singular subject, and "is working on"
is the correct singular form.
Example: Neither the secretary
nor the receptionist ____ the phone number of the accountant.
(A) know
(B) is known
(C) are known
(D) knows
The correct answer is
(D) knows.
(A) 'know' is incorrect because it is the plural form of the verb
and does not agree with the singular subject 'the receptionist'.
(B) 'is known' is incorrect as it changes the meaning of the
sentence, suggesting that the receptionist or secretary are known or
recognized by someone else.
(C) 'are known' is also incorrect because it not only changes the
meaning of the sentence like in option (B), but 'are' is also plural
and does not agree with the singular subject 'the receptionist'.
In sentences using 'either/or' or 'neither/nor', the verb should
agree with the subject nearer to it. In this case, 'the
receptionist' is nearer to the verb and is a singular subject, so
the verb should also be singular. Hence, 'knows' is the correct
choice.