SVA (Day 1)

A leader ____ time.

• sacrifices

• sacrifice

Answer explanation

Rule #1

Singular subject requires –s form of the verb; plural subject requires base form of the verb.

The humility of community leaders ____ essential to do the job well.

• are

• is

Answer explanation

Rule #2

A prepositional phrase intervening between the subject and the verb should be disregarded in choosing the correct form of the verb.

The president, as well as the vice president, _____ a national conference.

• attend

• attends

Answer explanation

Rule #3

The separation of the subject from the verb by words such as along with, as well, including with, altogether with, besides, or not must be ignored when determining whether to use a singular verb (-s form) or plural verb (base form).

There are few good _____ in our country.

• leaders

• leader

Answer explanation

Rule #4

When a subject is preceded by the verb, be careful to locate the subject and make the verb agree with it. Remember also that here and there are never subjects.

A good leader and follower ____ difficult to find.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Rule #5

A compound subject joined by and usually requires a plural form of the verb; however, if it signifies only one person or thing, use a singular verb.

Either the leader or his followers ____ the meeting regularly.

• attend

• attends

Answer explanation

Rule #6

A compound subject joined by or, either…or, neither…nor requires a singular or a plural verb depending on the subject nearer the verb.

Each of our leaders _____ a commitment to serve the country wholeheartedly.

• make

• makes

Answer explanation

Rule #7

The pronouns each, everyone, everybody, every one, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.

Making informed choices and standing by decisions ____ two of the many important leadership functions.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Rule #8

When infinitives and gerunds are used as subjects, they are singular unless joined by and to become plural.

Fifty percent of the Filipino ____ are immature.

• voters

• voter

Answer explanation

Rule #9

With words that indicate portions        percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth     look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or a plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of preposition in plural, use a plural verb.

The number of leaders ___ expected to make innovation.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Rule #10

The expression the number of is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number of is followed by a plural verb.