Transcript Subject – Verb Agreement

Subject – Verb
Agreement
Simple Agreement
A verb must agree with its subject in person and number.
In the present tense, add “s” or “es” to the base form for
the third person singular.
Remember to make a noun plural you add an “s” or “es”,
but a verb is just the opposite you add an “s” or “es” to
make it singular.
Example:
Singular
She runs
He watches
Plural
They run
They watch
Simple Agreement
In verb phrases, the helping verbs be, have, and do change
forms to agree with third person subjects.
Examples:
Singular
It is green.
He was sick.
She has fallen down.
Does she like to ski?
Plural
They are green.
They were sick.
They have fallen down.
Do they like to ski?
Intervening Prepositional Phrases
The verb must agree with the subject of the sentence, not
with the object of a preposition. Therefore, the subject of
a sentence is never contained in the prepositional phrase.
subject
Prepositional Phrase
verb
The collection of rare stamps was very valuable.
subject
Prepositional Phrase
verb
The puppies in the basket have brown fur.
Linking Verbs
In sentences with linking verbs, the verb agrees with the
subject, not the predicate nominative.
subject
verb
Predicate nominative
Roses and Lavender make a lovely bouquet.
subject
verb
Unfortunately, the result of the discussion was more
disagreements.
Predicate nominative
Inverted Sentences
In most sentences the subject comes before the verb.
However, some inverted sentences begin with a
prepositional phrase followed by the verb and then the
subject.
Remember the verb must agree with the subject and not the
object of the prepositional phrase.
Prepositional Phrase
verb
subject
Up into the sky fly the birds.
Prepositional Phrase
verb
subject
From the rafters hang the decorations.
Inverted Sentences
In sentences that begin with here or there, DO NOT confuse either
word with the subject.
Look for the subject after the verb.
verb
subject
Here is my driver’s license
verb
subject
There are many cars on this highway.
Questions are inverted sentences. A helping verb often comes
before the subject.
verb
subject
verb
Does Jamie Have a pencil?
verb subject
verb
Do all of the students have books?
Special Subjects
A collective noun names a group. In a sentence, a collective noun
is singular when it names the group as a whole. It is plural when it
refers to individual members of a group.
Singular: The club holds a dance. The team wins the game.
Plural: The class volunteer time.
A noun of amount can refer to a single unit, in which case it is
singular. It can also refer to several individual units, in which case
it is plural.
Singular:
Two weeks is not enough time to see Europe.
Plural:
Your five days of probation are up.
Special Subjects
Some nouns ending in “s” take a singular form while others
remain plural. Many nouns that end in “ics” are either singular
or plural, depending on the context.
Singular:
Mumps is usually a childhood disease.
Plural:
The scissors need to be sharpened.
Singular:
Ethics is the study of principles of conduct.
Plural:
That politician’s ethics have a lot to be desired.
Compound Subjects
A compound subject that is joined by and or both….and is
usually plural. Some compound subjects have two parts that
make up one unit, these take a singular verb.
Singular:
Bacon and eggs is my favorite breakfast.
Plural:
The dog and cat are playing.
Plural:
Both Anna and Mindy work at the hospital.
Compound subjects joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor
always have a verb that agrees with the closer subject.
Singular:
Either Carlo or Max has the book.
Singular:
Neither eggs nor bacon is on the menu.
Plural:
Neither Ed nor the boys have much to say.
Compound Subjects
When a compound subject is preceded by many a, every, or
each, the subject takes a singular verb.
Many a hiker and climber has gotten lost in these mountains.
Every door and window has been locked.
Each nook and cranny is being searched.
Every car and truck pays a toll on the highway.
Many a horse and cow has lived in this barn.
Intervening Expressions
Certain expressions seem to create compound subjects, but DO NOT.
Accompanied by, as well as, in addition to, and together with are
expressions that introduce phrases that tell about the subject.
The subject remains singular and takes a singular verb.
subject
Intervening expression
verb
Nebraska, as well as Montana and Idaho, gets severe winters.
subject
Intervening expression
verb
Dan, plus Andrea and John, plays the piano.
subject
Intervening expression
verb
Jean, accompanied by her friends, goes skiing every winter.
Indefinite Pronouns
Many subjects are indefinite pronouns. A verb must agree
with the indefinite pronoun used as the subject.
subject
Singular:
verb
prepositional phrase
verb
Both of my sisters are in the play.
subject
Plural:
prepositional phrase
One of my friends speaks Greek.
subject
Plural:
verb
Neither is ready.
subject
Singular:
verb
Nobody in the group is to blame.
subject
Singular:
prepositional phrase
prepositional phrase
verb
Many of the students play tennis.
Indefinite Pronouns
Some pronouns can be either singular or plural, depending
on the nouns to which they refer.
Singular:
Some of the cake is gone.
Plural:
Some of the houses need paint.
Singular:
All of the pizza is gone.
Plural:
All of the coats are on sale.
Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement