Subject-Verb Agreement Master Guide: Civil Service Exam Guide

Subject-verb agreement is one of the most tested grammar rules in the Civil Service Exam. Many examinees lose easy points not because they do not understand vocabulary or meaning, but because they fail to match the subject and the verb correctly. This guide provides a complete and practical explanation of subject-verb agreement, focusing on the rules, exceptions, and exam-style traps that often appear in the Civil Service Exam.

What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number and person.

• Singular subject → singular verb

• Plural subject → plural verb

Examples:

• The student studies every night.

• The students study every night.

Although this sounds simple, English contains many sentence structures that make agreement confusing, especially under exam pressure.

Why Subject-Verb Agreement Is Important in the Civil Service Exam

In the Civil Service Exam, subject-verb agreement appears in:

• Grammar and Correct Usage questions

• Sentence correction items

• Error identification questions

• Reading comprehension (indirectly)

Examiners often hide the true subject or place distracting words between the subject and the verb. Understanding agreement rules allows you to identify the real subject quickly and choose the correct verb form.

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular and Plural Nouns

A singular noun takes a singular verb, while a plural noun takes a plural verb.

Examples:

• The applicant is qualified.

• The applicants are qualified.

Remember:

• Most singular verbs end in -s

• Most plural verbs do not end in -s

This is opposite of noun pluralization and often causes confusion.

Subjects Joined by “And”

When two or more subjects are joined by and, the verb is usually plural.

Examples:

• The chairperson and the secretary are present.

• Reading and writing are essential skills.

Exception: When “And” Refers to One Idea

If two nouns connected by and refer to a single person, thing, or idea, use a singular verb.

Examples:

• Bread and butter is my breakfast.

• The director and producer is attending the meeting.
  (One person holding two roles)

Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor”

When subjects are connected by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

Examples:

• Either the officers or the director approves the request.

• Neither the manager nor the employees are available.

This rule is frequently tested because it requires careful attention to word order.

Intervening Words and Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases often come between the subject and the verb, but they do not affect subject-verb agreement.

Examples:

• The list of applicants is on the table.

• The quality of the products remains high.

Common prepositions include:

• of

• with

• in

• on

• at

• for

• by

To avoid mistakes, mentally remove the prepositional phrase and identify the true subject.

Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects

Many indefinite pronouns are singular, even though they may sound plural.

Common Singular Indefinite Pronouns

• everyone

• someone

• anyone

• nobody

• everybody

• each

• either

• neither

Examples:

• Everyone is required to attend.

• Each of the candidates has an ID.

Common Plural Indefinite Pronouns

• both

• few

• many

• several

Examples:

• Several were absent.

• Many have applied.

Pronouns That Can Be Singular or Plural

• all

• some

• none

• most

Their verb depends on the noun they refer to.

Examples:

• All of the water is gone.

• All of the students are present.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group acting as a single unit.

Common examples:

• team

• committee

• staff

• family

• audience

• government

In American English, collective nouns usually take a singular verb.

Examples:

• The committee decides today.

• The staff works efficiently.

If the members are acting individually, a plural verb may be used, but this is rare in exam contexts.

Subjects Beginning with “There” or “Here”

In sentences that start with there is or there are, the subject comes after the verb.

Examples:

• There is a problem.

• There are several problems.

The verb agrees with the subject that follows, not with “there”.

Gerunds as Subjects

A gerund (verb ending in -ing used as a noun) takes a singular verb.

Examples:

• Reading improves comprehension.

• Driving at night requires caution.

Even if the gerund phrase is long, the verb remains singular.

Relative Pronouns: Who, Which, That

When using relative pronouns, the verb agrees with the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to).

Examples:

• She is one of the applicants who are qualified.

• She is the only one of the applicants who is qualified.

This is a common exam trap. Focus on whether the pronoun refers to “applicants” or “one”.

Titles, Names, and Amounts

Titles and Names

Titles of books, movies, organizations, and newspapers are treated as singular, even if they look plural.

Examples:

• The Philippines is a democratic country.

• Mathematics is a required subject.

Amounts, Time, and Money

Amounts of time, distance, or money are usually treated as singular.

Examples:

• Ten years is a long time.

• Five hundred pesos is enough.

Subjects with “Each” and “Every”

Subjects that include each or every are always singular.

Examples:

• Each employee is evaluated.

• Every student has an ID.

Even if the subject refers to multiple people, the verb remains singular.

Common Subject-Verb Agreement Traps in the Exam

Words That Look Plural but Are Singular

Examples:

• news

• mathematics

• economics

• measles

Example sentence:

• The news is shocking.

Inverted Sentence Structure

Questions may invert sentence order to confuse you.

Example:

• Included in the report are the findings.

Identify the real subject (“findings”) to choose the correct verb.

How to Master Subject-Verb Agreement for the Exam

Step 1: Identify the Subject

Ignore extra words and focus on who or what is performing the action.

Step 2: Determine Number

Decide whether the subject is singular or plural.

Step 3: Apply the Rule

Choose the verb that matches the subject, not the nearest noun.

Step 4: Watch for Exceptions

Check for special rules such as indefinite pronouns, collective nouns, and “either/or” structures.

Study Tips and Practice Strategy

• Practice identifying the subject before reading the verb

• Read sentences aloud to hear agreement errors

• Review common indefinite pronouns regularly

• Practice with past Civil Service Exam questions

• Eliminate choices that clearly violate agreement rules

Consistency and repetition are key. Subject-verb agreement improves quickly with focused practice.

Final Thoughts

Subject-verb agreement is a high-impact topic in the Civil Service Exam because it tests accuracy, attention to detail, and understanding of sentence structure. By mastering both basic rules and common exceptions, you can confidently answer grammar questions and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

This guide is designed to serve as a long-term reference. Review it regularly, practice actively, and apply these rules consistently during the exam. Strong grammar skills not only improve your test score but also strengthen your professional communication skills beyond the Civil Service Exam.

Problem Sets

Problem Set 1: Basic Subject–Verb Agreement

Choose the correct verb form.

1. The list of applicants _____ on the table.
   a) are
   b) is

2. Each of the employees _____ required to attend the meeting.
   a) are
   b) is

3. The manager, along with his assistants, _____ attending the conference.
   a) are
   b) is

4. My brother and sister _____ living abroad.
   a) is
   b) are

5. The number of complaints _____ increasing every month.
   a) are
   b) is

Problem Set 2: Collective Nouns

Choose the correct verb.

6. The committee _____ decided to postpone the exam.
   a) have
   b) has

7. The team _____ wearing their new uniforms today.
   a) is
   b) are

8. The jury _____ divided in their opinions.
   a) is
   b) are

9. The staff _____ responsible for preparing the documents.
   a) is
   b) are

10. The family _____ planning a reunion this weekend.
    a) is
    b) are

Problem Set 3: Indefinite Pronouns

Select the correct verb form.

11. Everyone _____ responsible for his or her actions.
    a) are
    b) is

12. Neither of the answers _____ correct.
    a) are
    b) is

13. Many of the applicants _____ already submitted their forms.
    a) has
    b) have

14. Someone _____ left their umbrella in the office.
    a) have
    b) has

15. Few of the documents _____ missing.
    a) is
    b) are

Problem Set 4: Either–Or / Neither–Nor Constructions

Choose the correct verb.

16. Either the manager or the employees _____ responsible for the mistake.
    a) is
    b) are

17. Neither the teachers nor the principal _____ aware of the issue.
    a) was
    b) were

18. Either the applicants or the examiner _____ made an error.
    a) has
    b) have

19. Neither the assistant nor the supervisors _____ present during the inspection.
    a) was
    b) were

20. Either the director or the secretary _____ signing the documents.
    a) is
    b) are

Problem Set 5: Sentences with Prepositional Phrases

Select the correct verb.

21. The quality of the products _____ excellent.
    a) are
    b) is

22. A box of old records _____ found in the storage room.
    a) were
    b) was

23. The results of the examination _____ released yesterday.
    a) was
    b) were

24. The behavior of the students _____ improving.
    a) are
    b) is

25. The salary, including bonuses and incentives, _____ competitive.
    a) are
    b) is

Answer Keys

Problem Set 1

1. b) is

2. b) is

3. b) is

4. b) are

5. b) is

Problem Set 2

6. b) has

7. a) is

8. b) are

9. a) is

10. a) is

Problem Set 3

11. b) is

12. b) is

13. b) have

14. b) has

15. b) are

Problem Set 4

16. b) are

17. a) was

18. a) has

19. b) were

20. a) is

Problem Set 5

21. b) is

22. b) was

23. b) were

24. b) is

25. b) is

Civil Service Exam Philippines: Complete Preparation and Passing Guide