SubjectVerb Agreement What you need to know to

Subject-Verb Agreement What you need to know to speak and write as a normal, functioning English speaker.

Subject Who or what performs the main action in the sentence. There can be more than one subject. o:

What is Subject-Verb Agreement? l. This is the necessity of present tense verb forms to match its subject when it is singular or plural l. The problem is that the present tense, singular form of a verb often ends in –s or -es, confusing

General Rule #1: Plural Subjects l Many times, but not always, when you have multiple subjects or the subject is plural, just leave the verb alone. l Ex. : The students and teachers read books. l Ex. : Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny leave us presents.

General Rule #2: Singular Subjects l. When the subject is singular, just one item or person, then the spelling of the verb will change. l. With normal or regular verbs, you will add either an –s or an – es so that it matches the singular verb.

Examples Singular Plural The student Your children sings. (He or sing. (They she sings) sing) The bird does Those birds migrate. (It do migrate. does) (They do)

How do I know what word to match the verb to? u. In a normal sentence, the subject comes before the verb. u. Ex: Even as we speak, your brains absorb information. (plural noun, plural verb form. )

More Examples n. Juan (like) to give people presents. n. Mercedes and Dania both (give) good massages. n. Patients (throw) their feces at nurses.

When there are two subjects connected with or/nor n Change the verb to agree with the subject closest to it.

Examples § Either Mr. Rose or the students are at fault. § Neither Josh or his friends know the answer. § Either the girls or Gabriel tells me who led the cockroaches back in.

Rare, But It Can Happen! n. Sometimes, the verb can come before the subject. People will write this way to make their stuff sound poetic and romantic.

Examples n. Over the river glides a small canoe. n. Above the water floats a humming bird. n. Down the mountains slide mist and water.