Transcript Subject-Verb Agreement Notes

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
What it is…
 Subject-verb agreement means:
 If the subject is plural, then the verb needs to be
plural
 If the subject is singular, then the verb needs to be
singular
VARIOUS SENARIOS
Singular subjects take singular verbs
 He / washes the dishes
 A girl in my neighborhood / plays in the band.
Plural subjects take plural verbs
 They / have been washing the dishes
 Several girls in my neighborhood / were
playing in the band.
Subjects joined by and take a plural verb
 Compound subjects: 2 or more subjects
having the same verb
 My pen pal and best friend / are my cousin
 Broccoli and melted cheese / make a tasty dish.
Subjects joined by or or nor take singular verbs
 Neither the coach nor the principal / is happy
with the team’s performance.
 Either the boys or their sisters / take the
garbage out.
When a singular subject and a plural
subject are joined by or or nor, the
verb agrees with the subject nearer the
verb.
 Neither the children or their mother / was
ready for the trip.
 Neither the mother or her children / were
ready for the trip.
Cheat Sheet
 1. A singular subject will need a verb that
ends with “s”
 2. A plural subject will need a verb that does
NOT end with “s”
Practice
 You (come, comes) with me.
 The girl and her friends (talk, talks) frequently.
 Neither the spices nor the pepper plant (grows,
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grow) well here.
Usually the beginning speech (last, lasts) ten
minutes.
The leader with his followers (have, has) the power
to influence many people.
Out of the jungle (step, steps) three lions.
The committee (are, is) disagreeing on the
procedure.
Few of them (were, was) interested in our project.
Civics (is, are) taught in eighth grade.
Everyone (need, needs) some attention sometime.