the basics
I. Subjects and verbs need to agree—have the appropriate form—in terms of number (singular or plural), person (first, second, third person), or gender (masculine, feminine, neuter).
Singular subjects (referring to one person or thing) take a singular verb. Plural subjects (referring to more than one person or thing) take a plural verb.
Singular subjects (referring to one person or thing) take a singular verb. Plural subjects (referring to more than one person or thing) take a plural verb.
II. A gerund or infinitive functioning as a subject tends to take a singular verb.
EXAMPLES:
Coloring relaxes your mind when you're feeling stressed.
To color a mandala allows the repetitive movement to relieve anxiety.
III. Phrases placed between a subject and verb generally do not affect the number of the subject or verb form. Ignore prepositional phrases and these expressions:
EXAMPLES:
Coloring relaxes your mind when you're feeling stressed.
To color a mandala allows the repetitive movement to relieve anxiety.
III. Phrases placed between a subject and verb generally do not affect the number of the subject or verb form. Ignore prepositional phrases and these expressions:
EXAMPLES:
A negative thought about poor grades finds itself displaced as you concentrate on picking out colors and staying within the lines.
A meditative activity, such as coloring or knitting, allows you to unplug from technology as well.
A negative thought about poor grades finds itself displaced as you concentrate on picking out colors and staying within the lines.
A meditative activity, such as coloring or knitting, allows you to unplug from technology as well.
IV. Compound subjects joined by and take a plural verb.
EXAMPLE: Teachers and students benefit from mindfulness.
There are a few exceptions where the and-expression refers to a single unit, such as when you order macaroni and cheese as a side dish at a restaurant. In that case, the expression is considered singular and should take a singular verb:
EXAMPLE: That macaroni and cheese is "Mmm, mmm, good!"
EXAMPLE: Teachers and students benefit from mindfulness.
There are a few exceptions where the and-expression refers to a single unit, such as when you order macaroni and cheese as a side dish at a restaurant. In that case, the expression is considered singular and should take a singular verb:
EXAMPLE: That macaroni and cheese is "Mmm, mmm, good!"
V. Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb.
EXAMPLE: Your iPad or smart phone distracts the mind, however, if it is sitting nearby.
EXAMPLE: Your iPad or smart phone distracts the mind, however, if it is sitting nearby.
VI. If either subject is plural, joined by or or nor, then look at the subject closest to the verb to determine what verb form to use. If the closest subject is singular, use a singular verb. If the closest subject is plural, use a plural verb.
EXAMPLES:
Even a novice or professional artists find a sense of calmness after filling in part of a picture.
Professional artists or even a novice finds a sense of calmness after filling in part of a picture.
EXAMPLES:
Even a novice or professional artists find a sense of calmness after filling in part of a picture.
Professional artists or even a novice finds a sense of calmness after filling in part of a picture.
VII. Use don't (do not) with the pronouns I and you, along with plural subjects. Use doesn't (does not) with singular subjects except I and you.
NONSTANDARD USAGE: He don't always sleep well, but coloring before bedtime has improved that.
STANDARD USAGE: He doesn't always sleep well, but coloring before bedtime has improved that.
NONSTANDARD USAGE: He don't always sleep well, but coloring before bedtime has improved that.
STANDARD USAGE: He doesn't always sleep well, but coloring before bedtime has improved that.
VIII. When a sentence is inverted, meaning that the subject comes after the verb, locate the subject and then make the verb agree with it.
EXAMPLES:
Here is a box of colored pencils.
Here are some gel pens.
EXAMPLES:
Here is a box of colored pencils.
Here are some gel pens.
IX. Don’t be distracted by a predicate nominative. Locate the subject and make the verb agree with it.
EXAMPLES: Creative activities are a beneficial pastime.
EXAMPLES: Creative activities are a beneficial pastime.
IX. If every or many a/an comes before a subject, use a singular verb.
EXAMPLES:
Every student benefits from mindfulness activities in the school day.
Many a man has sought to reduce stress in life.
EXAMPLES:
Every student benefits from mindfulness activities in the school day.
Many a man has sought to reduce stress in life.
X. With adjective clauses, if the relative pronoun (that, which, who) is the subject, the verb should agree with the relative pronoun’s antecedent—usually the noun or pronoun preceding the adjective clause.
EXAMPLES:
Early in the twentieth century, the benefits of coloring were studied by Carl Jung, who was a Swiss psychologist.
Coloring brings people back to happy childhood memories, which help them relax.
EXAMPLES:
Early in the twentieth century, the benefits of coloring were studied by Carl Jung, who was a Swiss psychologist.
Coloring brings people back to happy childhood memories, which help them relax.
XI. In the English language, sometimes there are exceptions:
Some nouns ending in -s (which might seem to be plural) actually are singular.
Some nouns that might look singular actually take plural verbs.
Refer to this chart or other resources if you are uncertain what form to use:
Some nouns ending in -s (which might seem to be plural) actually are singular.
Some nouns that might look singular actually take plural verbs.
Refer to this chart or other resources if you are uncertain what form to use:
EXAMPLES:
Today's news gives me a headache.
Politics is not my favorite topic of conversation.
Today's news gives me a headache.
Politics is not my favorite topic of conversation.
EXAMPLES:
The scissors are in the drawer.
My eyeglasses help me see the fine details in the image.
The scissors are in the drawer.
My eyeglasses help me see the fine details in the image.
XII. Titles and names generally take singular verbs.
indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or either singular or plural depending on how they are used.
EXAMPLES:
Everybody likes to color.
No one wants to color outside the lines.
Everybody likes to color.
No one wants to color outside the lines.
EXAMPLES:
Both make fabulous art works once they are completed.
Few regret setting aside time for mindfulness.
Both make fabulous art works once they are completed.
Few regret setting aside time for mindfulness.
For these indefinite pronouns, you should look at the context (a prepositional phrase nearby) to determine whether the word is singular or plural.
EXAMPLES:
All of my pictures are hanging on the wall.
All of the drawing is finished.
Any of the colors create a vivid scene that stimulates the brain.
I don't think any of my coloring book is left to color.
EXAMPLES:
All of my pictures are hanging on the wall.
All of the drawing is finished.
Any of the colors create a vivid scene that stimulates the brain.
I don't think any of my coloring book is left to color.
collective nouns & amounts
A collective noun names a group of persons or objects. It can be singular or plural.
- If the collective noun refers to a group as one unit working together, it is singular.
- If the collective noun refers to a group of individuals working separately, it is plural.
EXAMPLES:
The herd of cows is in the pasture.
The escaped herd of cows are dispersing in multiple directions.
The softball team is beating Copley.
The softball team are doing different batting stations right now.
The class is performing Romeo and Juliet.
The class are typing their research papers.
The herd of cows is in the pasture.
The escaped herd of cows are dispersing in multiple directions.
The softball team is beating Copley.
The softball team are doing different batting stations right now.
The class is performing Romeo and Juliet.
The class are typing their research papers.
An amount is something measurable, such as a percentage or fraction. It can be singular or plural.
- If the amount is seen as one unit, it is singular.
- If the amount is seen as individual items, it is plural.
- Area, capacity, length, and weight tend to be singular.
EXAMPLES:
Eight dollars is a reasonable amount to pay for a coloring book online. [The amount is seen as one unit.]
Eight dollars were found on the floor under your seat. Are those yours? [Individual dollars were counted up.]
Eight dollars is a reasonable amount to pay for a coloring book online. [The amount is seen as one unit.]
Eight dollars were found on the floor under your seat. Are those yours? [Individual dollars were counted up.]
For fractions, consider the context.
- If it is the fraction of a singular word, use a singular verb.
- If it is a fraction of a plural word, use a plural verb.
EXAMPLES:
Three quarters of my art work is finished. [It is a fraction of the one art work.]
Three quarters of the students have finished their art works. [It is a fraction of a plural word, students.]
Three quarters of my art work is finished. [It is a fraction of the one art work.]
Three quarters of the students have finished their art works. [It is a fraction of a plural word, students.]