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Hello! How are everyone? I hope you is well today. Today, I is going to shares with you important SVA tips

and tricks.

Hopefully, you have noticed that my intro up top is grammatically wrong because it totally sounds

weird! (if you don't, then you SERIOUSLY need help).

While we can hear errors in subject-verb agreement (SVA) most of the time, not all SVA rules are

that apparent. This is especially so when some of these phrases are not used in our everyday

conversations in Singapore but they are still tested in our national exams (like the PSLE!).

But first, what is Subject-Verb Agreement?

A singular subject (he, Boon, cat) takes a singular verb (is, eats, sleeps),

A plural subject (they, the girls, dogs) takes a plural verb (are, dance, bark).

Simply put, the ’s' moves between the subject and its verb:

The girl dances like a robot.

The girls dance like robots.

There are exceptions to this trick when:

- the plural form of the noun does not contain an ’s’; like women, fungi and bacteria.

- The singular form of the noun contains an ’s’; such as cactus and fungus.

As you know, the examinations are nearing and you are panicking,

Let me be concise and the rules be precise.

Top 10 SVA rules you must master so in exams you do not flounder.

Rule 1: The Nearby Rule

When “nor” or “or” is used, the closest noun to the verb is the subject.

e.g. The boy or the girls know the answer.

The girls or the boy knows the answer.

Either the prefects or the monitor is responsible.

Neither the monitor nor the prefects are responsible.

The prefects, monitors or the top student is responsible.

Rule 2: The Negative is Singular

“Neither of/ None of/ Nothing/ Nobody” are negative pronouns, so they are always singular,

regardless of what comes after.

e.g. Neither of my siblings is at home.

None of us knows the answer.

Nothing is more important than the truth.

Nobody was in the pool just now.

Rule 3: Singular Pronoun

When these pronouns “Each, Every, Any, Either of, Someone, Somebody” are used in sentences, the

subject is always singular.

e.g. Each chicken nugget is cooked to perfection.

Each one of us was asked to do the PPAP dance.

Every day is a new opportunity to start anew.

Every day of his vacation was spent on the beach.

Anyone who is caught burping will be punished.

Everyone knows how to sing the song.

Someone in class was involved.

Somebody needs to tell her the truth.

Either of the twins is an accomplished scientist.

Rule 4: “A Number” is plural, “The Number” is singular” (APTS)

The expression ‘a number of’ is always plural.

e.g. A number of people have written in about the matter.

There are a number of errors found in the report.

The expression ‘the number of’ is followed by a singular verb.

e.g The number of people lining up at the queue is twenty.

The number of children born in Singapore is decreasing.

Rule 5: But is Positive

When ‘but’ is used as a conjunction in a sentence to show contrast, the positive

subject is the subject.

e.g. The team members but not the captain were punished for the loss.

It is not the workers but the manager who receives all the praises.

Rule 6: The Noun Before Who/Which is Subject

When ‘who / which’ is used as a relative pronoun in a sentence, the noun that comes right

before ‘who / which’ is the subject.

e.g. Jay Chou is one of many singers who write their own songs.

Youqi is one of the men who are going to paint our house.

If there is anyone who knows better, it has to be him.

The wombat is one of the marsupials which live in Australia.

The dodo is one of the animals which are already extinct.

Rule 7: The Single Idea is Subject

If the two nouns are joined and represent a single idea, then it is singular.

e.g. Bread and butter is available every day for breakfast.

Fish and chips is my favourite Western food.

Law and order is crucial to a country’s success.

Pride and Prejudice is my favourite Jane Austen’s book.

Rule 8: “Amount is Singular”, “Number is Plural”

Units of measurement, time and money agree with a singular verb.

e.g. Ninety dollars is too much to pay for that pair of shoes.

Five kilometres is too long a distance for me to run.

Two kilograms of sugar was all I used to bake the cake.

Three hours was all it took for them to develop the new app.

On the other hand, a part or a percentage of a plural noun, agrees with a plural verb.

e.g. Half of all gorillas die.

Fifty two percent of the students have voted for less homework.

However, when the subject is an uncountable noun or a mass noun, the subject agrees with

a singular verb.

e.g. Half of the population is in favour of a new government.

Three-quarters of all the furniture has been delivered.

Rule 9: The Main Noun is Subject

Confusion occurs when two nouns are used in a clause.To deal with this, simply consider which is

the main noun of the noun phrase (or simply look at the noun before the preposition).

e.g. The wheels on the bus go round and round.

The spokes of the wheel are damaged.

The common problem with all the essays is that they lack originality.

Rule 10: Disregard the Attached Phrases

Another common stumbling block students face with SVA is when they see a subject with attached

phrases and get confused.These phrases are introduced by ‘with’,‘like’, ‘as well as’. Sometimes they

are separated with a pair of commas.

To deal with this, simply disregard the attached phrases.

E.g. The boy, with several of his friends, was late for school.

The students, as well as their teacher, have fallen ill.

The crew members, together with their captain and first mate, were

kidnapped by the pirates.

Kelvin LeeTeaching was an unplanned move for this former SAF-turned-Financial-Services-professional who found his calling when he was a school teacher with the National Institute of Education (NIE). Thereafter, Kelvin was a private tutor to a handful of students. The success of his students and demand for his classes led to the  switch in  teaching group classes. His commitment to ensuring students experience significant grade jumps is what attracts parents to enrol all their children with him. A firm believer of inspiring students to go beyond their perceived potential, Kelvin is a devoted educator who continually refines his craft.

The Right Word is an English Specialist centre that has coached more than a thousand students since 2013. With our proprietary Sail to Success techniques and TRW ethos, students have chosen to go on their language acquisition journey with us through primary school to JC. 

The SAIL Approach:

An Enriching Journey Towards Academic Success

The SAIL Approach is conceived through research workshops and research projects by the team of teachers at TRW. Through the journey of our Masters education, journalism/writing expertise and the many years of experience we have collected teaching students, we have put together an approach proven to inculcate inquisitive, motivated students who have a zest for success in academic endeavours and in life. The dynamic SAIL approach constantly innovates and adapts to the seas of change that students are subjected to in this highly-globalised and competitive society.

If you’ve enjoyed this resource, you might be glad to know this is only one small part out of the many strategies we use to tackle EVERY section of the English paper.

Why Students and Parents Love TRW

Celeste Woon (CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School)

Before I joined the classes, I could not write a decent composition and had really bad grammar. Having lessons at The Right Word helped me improve 10 marks in my Paper 1. I’m really glad that my writing is finally decent! I managed to improve with the FARTD strategy. For some reason, it reminds me to use techniques I have learnt. What I really enjoy about the lessons is that it is fun and engaging.

Emmanuel Tan (St Joseph’s Institution Junior) [Graduated from PSLE with A*]

I improved about 5 marks in my composition, consistently scoring more than 30 marks each time. With the FARTD strategy, I can describe my characters in composition much better!

Tay Yu Cheng (West Grove Primary School)

I used to fail my compositions as I had a lot of difficulties with my composition. My vocabulary was also very weak. After I was taught strategies such as FLR and DOP, I improved close to 10 marks. I also found compositions a lot easier to do. At The Right Word, I learn a lot of phrases and also news stories that I do not know about that I can apply to writing my stories.

Radiance Tan (Ai Tong Primary School)

I used to dislike English and I found it difficult to spell words. But with the fun and engaging classes, I have improved 5 marks in my writing. Spelling does not seem that difficult now that I have improved. Teachers at The Right Word really make sure we understand what is taught. Other than that, there is also a “Reward Board” that allows us to aim to fill up areas like Strategy Application, Excellence and Potential. Filling up the board gives us the chance to win money or other prizes and it motivates me to push myself to do better!

Elizabeth Ong (Raffles Girls’ Primary School) [Score A* in the PSLE]

I found it challenging to think of original good phrases. My plots were also very clichéd. After attending classes and applying strategies such as ICRCCRR under the Power Planning technique, I have improved by about 7 marks to score 35 marks or more in my compositions. When I write my compositions now, my ideas just flow and I do not find it much of a chore to write. The Right Word’s lessons are enjoyable because the teachers are friendly and I know that I can ask for help any time.

Joslyn Tan (Ai Tong Primary School)

I was facing challenges with writing compositions as I had trouble thinking of plot ideas. Grammar was also difficult to me. After taking classes, I am happy to have improved in my composition by more than 5 marks! I think I found the FART strategy really useful as it helped me think of more ideas and phrases. The lessons at The Right Word are enjoyable because we get to play Kahoot and learn in a fun way. The prizes awarded to us are also very encouraging.

Chong Dong Shyang (Qifa Primary School)

I improved a lot in my composition as the challenges I had in composition were made easier with strategies to help me write better. Some of the techniques I learnt that were useful is the FARTD for composition. I can strategise how to write better sentences. The lessons are also fun and thrilling as the teachers often use jokes to educate and encourage us.

Jasper Tan (Pei Chun Public School)

I was quite weak in my oral examination and English Paper 2 but after applying TRW’s strategies, I saw improvement in both my papers. I improved from 21 to 26 marks for my oral examination. The comprehensive grammar notes I was given was very useful too! Also, I enjoy the lessons because it is fun and engaging. There is Kahoot, which helps us improve in both English and general knowledge. I am very thankful to Mr Kelvin. He would always help me when I ask him questions. He even stayed back for 2 hours after lessons for several weeks in preparation for the PSLE. I am grateful to have such a wonderful teacher like Mr Kelvin!

Jodie Tan (Marymount Convent School)

I used to be too quick to answer my MCQ questions without a thought and often gave incomplete answers in my comprehension open-ended. Applying strategies like ACE in comprehension OE really made me understand the question better and motivated me to look through the passage for clues. I’ve improved in my Visual Text and Booklet B a lot. I’m glad that I see more ticks than crosses and Os! Overall, I’ve improved at least 5 marks in my English. What I love best about TRW is that the teachers are friendly and the environment is welcoming!

Matthias Wong (Maris Stella High School)

I could not do comprehension and had a lot of difficulty in both cloze and open-ended but having lessons with Ms Dorothy helped me to think further to elaborate my answers, and better understand the meaning of words in the passage. The strategies I found most useful were SPUMUE and SKIs. They helped me attempt my visual text and comprehension better such that I improved 12 marks in my preliminary examinations. The part of the lessons I enjoy most is Kahoot as it helps me learn English in a fun and engaging manner.

Rachel Lau (CHIJ)

I struggled a lot of comprehension cloze as I had difficulties filling in the blanks. However, acquiring the strategy for comprehension cloze helped me improve as I learnt to summarise the paragraphs and understand the questions better. I enjoy lessons at TRW because it’s not only fun but also enriching!

Chen Le Yuan (Ai Tong School)

I could not pass English at first because I made a lot of spelling and grammar errors. I also could not understand the passage. But applying the ACE comprehension strategy helped me improve in my comprehension. I finally improved by almost 10 marks and passed my English! I enjoy the lessons at TRW because they share with us videos and there are quizzes that are fun. I’m so very happy that I improved a lot.

Elizabeth Tang (Marymount Convent School)

I’ve improved 8 marks in my English as I scored better in comprehension cloze, open-ended and synthesis and transformation. The strategies taught at TRW really help me in identifying clue words and with those hints, I knew how to do my work better. What I like most about TRW is that the teachers are very nice and go out of the way to help us.

Bryan Koh (Fairfield Methodist Primary School)

I used to be bad in synthesis and comprehension. In my preliminary examinations, I improved in my MCQ, synthesis and comprehension to score 30 more marks. I’m glad that I applied the TRW strategies to see improvement! Ms Dorothy taught me to understand questions better by paying attention to key words and underlining them. I also like playing Kahoot quizzes as it is fun and helps me improve.

Reagan Goh (Pei Chun Public School)

I was weak in my grammar and comprehension but I’ve improved in those two sections and other components. Applying the strategies taught helped me improve from 48 marks to 66 marks. Learning how to identify questions types made it easier for me to answer the questions. I enjoy going to classes at TRW because the environment is conducive and fun.

Jamie Koh (Gongshang Primary School)

I used to have difficulties scoring in synthesis and transformation and comprehension. However, applying strategies taught in TRW helped me improve in listening comprehension, oral examination and English Paper 2. From 79%, I improved to 86% in the preliminary examinations. I enjoy the fun atmosphere and the teachers at TRW really help students pay attention and apply strategies through all sorts of methods such as Kahoot quizzes and more.

Owein Wong (Yew Tee Primary School)

I had a lot of challenges with spelling and comprehension open-ended. However, I was taught strategies on how to identify common spelling errors in editing. There were many strategies to help me learn grammar rules too. I’ve improved close to 10 marks, from 63 to 71 marks. The best thing about the lessons at TRW is that the lessons are fun but also very useful!

For enquiries, contact us at:

9150 1560info@therightword.com.sg