| A | B |
|---|
| Use a singular verb with a singular subject. | Example: The weather is clear but cold. |
| Use a singular verb with an indefinite pronoun used as a subject (each, every, any, either, neither, one, etc.). | Example: Each of you is to bring a pen and paper. |
| Use a singular verb with singular subjects linked by OR or NOR. If, however, one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb should agree with the closer subject. | Example: Either Jan or Fred is to make the presentation. Neither the principal nor the teachers are here. |
| Use a singular verb with a collective noun (committee, team, class, jury, etc.) If the collective noun acts as a unit. | Example: The jury has returned to the courtroom. The committee has filed its report. |
| Use a singular verb with the pronouns all and some (as well as fractions and percentages) when used as subjects if their modifiers are singular. Use a plural verb if their modifiers are plural. | Example: All of the books have been classified. Some of the gas is being pumped into the tank. |
| Use a singular verb when number is used as the subject and is preceded by the; however, use a plural verb if number is preceded by a. | The number of voters has increased this year. A number of workers are on vacation. |
| Use a plural verb with a plural subject. | Example: The blossoms are losing their petals. |
| Use a plural verb with a comound subject joined by and. | My mother and my father are the same age. |
| Use the plural verb "do not" or the contraction don't when the pronoun I, we, you, or they, as well as a plural noun, is used as the subject. | Example: You don't have a leg to stand on in this case. The scissors do not cut properly. I don't believe that answer is correct. |
| Use the singular verb "does not" or the contraction doesn't when the pronoun he, she, or it, as well as a singular noun, is used as the subject. | Example: She doesn't want to attend this meeting. It does not seem possible that winter's here. |
| Pronouns (I, we, you, he, she, it, their, etc.) agree with their antecedent IN PERSON--person speaking, first person; person spoken to, second person, person spoken about, third person. | Example: We said we would go when we complete our work. When you enter, present your invitation. All who saw the show found that they were moved. |
| Pronouns agree with their anteceents IN GENDER (feminine, masculine and neuter). | Example: Each of the women has her favorite hobby. Adam will wear his favorite sweater. The tree lost its leaves early this fall. |
| Pronouns agree with their antecedents in number (singular or plural). | Example: A verb must agree with its subject. Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Brian is to give his recital at 2 p.m. Joan and Carla have lost their homework. |
| When a pronoun's antecedent is a collective noun, the pronoun may be either singular or plural depending on whether the noun acts individually or as a unit. | Example: The committee met to cast their ballots. The class planned its graduation program. |
