Transcript Subject and Verb Agreement

Subject and Verb
Agreement
 If the subject is singular, use a singular verb.
 Mia speaks quietly.
 If the subject is plural, use a plural verb.
 These bottles are almost empty.
 Generally, nouns ending in –s are plural (friends,
girls), but verbs ending in -s are singular (likes, plays
speaks).
 1. he (was, were)
 2. they (come, comes)
 3. children (hurries, hurry)
 4. teachers (does, do)
 5. neighbor (says, say)
Is the Subject Plural or
Singular?
 When the subject is connected by two or more nouns or
pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.
 Dan and Jake are late.
 Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular
verb. If one of the subjects is plural, the verb agrees
with the one that is closer to it.
 Neither the director nor the actors are following the lines
closely.
 Neither the actors nor the director is following the lines
closely.
 The following pronouns are singular: each, either,
neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody,
anyone, anybody, someone, somebody.
 Everyone is wearing red.
 Each takes a turn leading the group.
 Unlike Melissa, neither Sam nor Ben likes scary
movies.
 The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase
following the subject.
 A verb agrees in number with its subject, not with the
object of a preposition.
 The sign near the glass doors (explains, explain) the
exhibit.
 The paintings of Emilio Sanchez (was hanging, were
hanging) in the gallery.
Let’s Practice!
 The use of cell phones and cameras (is, are) prohibited
in class.
 Each of those desserts (look, looks) delicious!
 Neither of my children (like, likes) soccer.
 Ben or Steven (is, are) probably going to join the team.
 If everyone (wants, want) pizza, then we should order
pizza.
 One of those remotes (is, are) broken.
 There (is, are) two ways to get to the park.