Using SubjectVerb Agreement What is subjectverb agreement Number

Using Subject-Verb Agreement What is subject-verb agreement? Number Singular subjects Plural subjects Intervening phrases and clauses Indefinite pronouns Compound subjects Solving special agreement problems Review A Review B

What is subject-verb agreement? All sentences have subjects and verbs. Subject Verb The stormrages. Subject Verb Two treesbreak. Subject Verb A blue sky emerges.

What is subject-verb agreement? Number Subjects and verbs agree in number to show that they belong together. • A word that refers to one thing is singular. • A word that refers to more than one is plural. Singular Plural taxis taxi puppies puppy they she

What is subject-verb agreement? Singular subjects take singular verbs. Singular subject verb The horse gallopsaway. Singular subject verb He skates to to tothe thefinishline.

What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects take plural verbs. Plural subject Plural verb The horsesgallopaway. Plural subject Plural verb They skate to to the goal.

What is subject-verb agreement? Intervening phrases and clauses Sometimes a group of words comes between the subject and the verb. Subject Verb The trees provide in the park shade. provide shade. The number of the subject is usually not determined by a word in a phrase or clause following the subject. Subject Verb The trees in the park provide shade.

What is subject-verb agreement? Intervening phrases and clauses Subject Verb That basketof of berries looks delicious. Looks agrees with basket, not berries. Subject Verb Runners inthe therace areamateurs. Runnerswho compete in are Are agrees with runners, not race.

What is subject-verb agreement? On Your Own For each of the following sentences, choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1. The dogs in that yard (barks, bark) too much. 2. That box of old toys (is, are) for the garage sale. 3. The shoes that I wore in yesterday’s game (needs, need) new laces. 4. Audience members who arrive early for the performance (obtains, obtain) the best seats. 5. The painting of flowers (was, were) my favorite. [End of Section]

Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns Indefinite pronouns refer to a person or thing whose exact identity is unknown. • Some indefinite pronouns are singular. • Some are plural. • Some may be either singular or plural depending on how they are used.

Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns The following indefinite pronouns are singular: Singular Indefinite Pronouns anybody either neither one anyone everybody nobody somebody anything everyone no one someone each everything nothing something Subject Verb Something Nobody Either ofwas thewas two waiting wrong students for with the is the capable. bus. bike.

Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns The following indefinite pronouns are plural: Plural Indefinite Pronouns both few many several Verb Subject Are many still in line? Subject Verb Both are wearing glasses now. Subject Verb Several of his pawns were captured.

Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns The following indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural, depending on how they are used: Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns Subject all more none any most some Verb Most of the pie was eaten. Subject Singular when they refer to singular words. Verb Most of the apples were eaten. Plural when they refer to plural words.

Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns On Your Own For each of the following sentences, choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1. Both of the performances (was, were) sold out. 2. All the leaves (has, have) changed color. 3. One of the library books (is, are) overdue. 4. (Has, Have) anybody found a house key? 5. Neither (wants, want) to leave early. [End of Section]

Subject-verb agreement and compound subjects A compound subject is two or more subjects that are joined by a coordinating conjunction and that have the same verb. • Subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs. He and Carmen enjoy skating. Subject 1 Subject 2 Verb Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are in the Midwest. Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3 Verb

Subject-verb agreement and compound subjects • Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Ayesha or Singular Kathryn drives a green car. Singular Verb Neither snow nor sleet is usual this time of year. Singular Verb

Subject-verb agreement and compound subjects • Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural verb. Squirrels or Plural raccoons eat the dog’s food. Plural Verb Neither storms nor winds damage this roof. Plural Verb

Subject-verb agreement and compound subjects • When a singular and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Plural Singular Verb Neither the costumes nor the set is ready. The verb is agrees with the nearer subject set. Singular Plural Verb Suzi or her cousins repair bicycles. The verb repair agrees with the nearer subject cousins.

Subject-verb agreement and compound subjects On Your Own For each of the following sentences, choose the verb that agrees with the compound subject. 1. Jimmy or Frank (has, have) borrowed my bike. 2. Fruit and vegetables (is, are) important for a healthy diet. 3. Neither noise nor music (distracts, distract) me. 4. Christina and her sisters (enjoys, enjoy) the beach. 5. A crow or a blue jay (teases, tease) my cats. [End of Section]

Solving special agreement problems Subjects following verbs In some sentences the subject comes after the verb. Subject There (was, were) no messages foryou. When the subject follows the verb. . . 1. Find the subject. 2. Make sure that the verb agrees with it.

Solving special agreement problems Subjects following verbs Subjects also appear after verbs in questions. Compound subject When (does, do do) Sue and. IIsingour ourparts? 1. Find the subject. 2. Make sure that the verb agrees with it. Remember that subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs.

Solving special agreement problems Collective nouns A collective noun may be singular or plural, depending on its meaning in the sentence. Singular Verb The herd was stranded by the flood. Plural Verb The herd were separated from each other by the rising waters Singular when it refers to the group as a unit Plural when it refers to parts of the group or to individual members.

Solving special agreement problems Expressions of amount An expression of amount may be singular or plural, depending on how it is used. • Singular when the amount is thought of as a unit. Two thirds of the bread was eaten. • Plural when it is thought of as separate parts. Two thirds of the slices were eaten.

Solving special agreement problems Plural forms Some nouns that are plural in form take singular verbs. Plural Forms That Take Singular Verbs civics gymnastics molasses economics linguistics mumps electronics mathematics news genetics measles physics Subject. Verb Gymnastics The molasses isin a this sportcake thattastes requires toobalance. strong.

Solving special agreement problems Plural forms Some nouns that refer to single items take plural verbs. binoculars pants shears eyeglasses pliers slacks Olympics scissors trousers Verb Subject When were the Olympics last in Japan? Subject Verb The scissors are not very sharp.

Solving special agreement problems Titles Even when plural in form, titles of a creative work —books, songs, movies, or paintings—usually take singular verbs. Subject Verb “St. Louis Blues” was written by W. C. Handy. Subject Verb As You Like It, one of Shakespeare’s comedies, is being performed next weekend.

Solving special agreement problems On Your Own For each of the following sentences, choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1. Where (is, are) the pliers? 2. Measles (was, were) a common childhood illness. 3. Six weeks (remains, remain) until the end of the school year. 4. “Send in the Clowns, ” by Stephen Sondheim, (seems, seem) sad to me. 5. The fleet (has, have) entered the harbor. [End of Section]

Solving special agreement problems Every A subject preceded by every takes a singular verb. Subject Verb Every dog in the neighborhood is barking. Subject Verb Every junior and senior was invited to the dance. Subject Verb Every man, woman, and child needs clean air and water.

Solving special agreement problems Don’t and doesn’t The contractions don’t and doesn’t should agree with their subjects. Don’t is the contraction of do not. Use it with I and you and with all plural subjects. They You We I don’t know how to solve the problem. Don’t The teachers the teachers don’t have a meeting today? Don’t litter! (You is the understood subject. )

Solving special agreement problems Don’t and doesn’t Doesn’t is the contraction of does not. Use it with all singular subjects except I and you. Singular Plural I don’t we don’t you don’t he/she/it doesn’t they don’t She play soccer anymore. Doesn’t Thedoesn’t boathe doesn’t have ahave ride home? a radio.

Solving special agreement problems Subjects and predicate nominatives A verb always agrees with the subject, but not necessarily with the predicate nominative. Plural subject ? Singular predicate nominative Quick reflexes (is, are) one requirement for this job. Are agrees with the plural subject reflexes, not with the singular predicate nominative requirement. Singular subject ? Plural predicate nominative One requirement for this job (is, is are) quick reflexes. Is agrees with requirement, not with reflexes.

Solving special agreement problems Relative pronouns When the relative pronoun that, which, or who is the subject of an adjective clause, the verb in the clause agrees with the noun to which the relative pronoun refers. Subject Verb adjective clause Subject Verb Enrique goes , whotowas the born sameinschool Puertoas. Rico, my sister. goes to the same school as my sister. 1. The relative pronoun who refers to Enrique. 2. Enrique is a singular noun and takes a singular verb, goes. 3. Who, the subject of the adjective clause, takes the singular verb was.

Solving special agreement problems On Your Own For each of the following sentences, choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1. Every window and door (needs, need) to be replaced. 2. This book, which (was, were) on one of the shelves at the library, is rare. 3. Her house (don’t, doesn’t) have a fireplace. 4. The main attraction at the museum (is, are) the fossils. 5. The man who (owns, own) the building drives a blue car. [End of Section]

Review A Provide the correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1. The flock ____ in a V-shaped formation. (fly) 2. Neither Drama nor Band ____ rehearsal after school today. (have) 3. The children who ____ in the park every day live in the neighborhood. (play) 4. Most of the liquid _____ when heated. (evaporate) 5. ____ we have to finish this assignment today? (do)

Review B For each of the following sentences, if the subject and verb do not agree, write the correct form of the verb. If the verb already agrees with the subject, write C. 1. None of the sports equipment are missing. 2. He and his friends don’t like that kind of music. 3. Do anyone want a glass of juice? 4. News travel quickly in the hallways of the school. 5. The box of carving tools were in the basement. [End of Section]

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