Transcript Subject-Verb AgreementPower Point

Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number:
Subjects and their verbs must agree in
NUMBER
SINGULAR subjects take SINGULAR verbs
(except for the words you and I).
PLURAL subjects take PLURAL verbs.
Agreement can only be achieved in the
present tense. NEVER use past tense for
agreement.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number:
Examples
The student works hard. - singular (unlike a
subject, add an “s” to make a verb singular)
The students work hard. - plural (unlike a
subject, take the “s” away to make a verb
plural)
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number:
*The FIRST helping verb must agree with
the subject! - The class IS building bird
houses.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number:
BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!!
BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!!
Prepositional Phrases will try to trick
you. Always focus on the subject of the
sentence!
The class (of students) is smart.
The girls (in the class) are smart.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number:
BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!!
BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!!
Indefinite Pronouns will try to trick you.
Know which ones are
Singular, Plural, and Both!
Subject-Verb Agreement
Indefinite Pronouns
Singular
-one, -body, -thing each, either, neither
Example: Each of the doors is broken.
Plural
Both, few, many, several
Example: Both of my friends are grounded.
Both
All, none, any, most, some, more
Example: All of the book is ruined.
Example: Most of my grades are good.
**ONLY look inside the prepositional phrase to determine the number
of the subject of SINGULAR and PLURAL Indefinite Pronouns. This is
the only time you rely on the prepositional phrase.
Subject-Verb Agreement
RULES for Compound Subjects
Subjects joined by “and” are usually
plural and take a plural verb.
Examples:
1. The boy and girl live in two different
dormitories.
2. He and she are going out.
Subject-Verb Agreement
RULES for Compound Subjects
A compound subject that names only one
person or thing takes a singular verb.
Examples:
1. The captain and point guard is Jack.
(Jack is both the captain and point guard.)
2. Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite snack.
(Peanut butter and jelly is the same snack.
Subject-Verb Agreement
RULES for Compound Subjects
Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor”
take a singular verb.
Examples:
1. A ticket or pass is required to enter the
gala.
(You only need one of the two.)
2. An excuse or a doctor's note is
required to return to school.
(You only need one.)
Subject-Verb Agreement
RULES for Compound Subjects
When a Singular Subject and Plural
Subject are joined by “or” or “nor,”
the verb agrees with the subject
nearer the verb.
Examples:
1. The students or teacher is in the
classroom. (Teacher is singular.)
2. The notebook or the books are in my
backpack. (Books is plural.)
Subject-Verb Agreement
There or Here is NEVER the subject.
Examples:
1. Here come the children.
2. There is my shoe.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules for Other Special Problems
The contractions Here's, There's, and
Where's contain the singular verb “is”
causing it to take a singular subject.
Examples:
1. Here's my shoe (not shoes).
2. There's my notebook (not notebooks).
Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules for Other Special Problems
Doesn't is SINGULAR and Don't is
PLURAL!
Examples:
1. She doesn't want to go to the gala with
him.
2. These shoes don't fit well.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules for Other Special Problems
Most nouns ending in “s” are still
SINGULAR.
Examples:
• Mumps
• Measles
• News
• Philippines
Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules for Other Special Problems
Words stating amounts are usually
SINGULAR.
Example:
Fifty thousand dollars has been raised
(not have).
Practice Sentences
1. Jan begins her vacation today. Sing. Sub./Sing.Verb
2. New families move into our neighborhood.
Plural. Sub./Plural Verb
3. The girls have been delayed. 1
4. Is anyone filling the piñata?
st
helping verb agrees with sub
Reword: 1st helping verb agrees with sub.
5. The successful candidate, along with two of her
aides, has entered the auditorium. Take out the prep. ph.
Practice Sentences
6. Scientists from all over the world have gathered
in Geneva. Look at sub; not prep. ph
7. Each of the newcomers was welcomed to the
city. Sing. Sub./Sing.Verb
8. Few of our neighbors have parakeets.
Plural. Sub./Plural Verb
9. All of the fruit looks fresh. ALL can be “both” ; look @ obj. of prep.ph
10. All of the pears are ripe. ALL can be “both” ; look @ obj. of prep.ph
Practice Sentences
11. Our dog and cat get baths in the summer.
Plural. Sub./Plural Verb; “and” = more than one
12. Red Beans and Rice is my favorite meal.
Sing. Sub./Sing.Verb; it’s just one dish
13. The chief geologist or her assistant is due to
arrive tonight. “or” = verb agrees w/ sub. nearer the verb
14. A book or flowers usually make an appropriate
gift. “or” = verb agrees w/ sub. nearer the verb
15. The clothes or the bag smells terrible.
“or” = verb agrees w/ sub. nearer the verb
Practice Sentences
16. There is a lot of candy in the bag. “A lot” = sub. ;
A lot is there.
17. Don't the guys like the movie? Bust up the contraction; The
guys do not like….
18. Fifty thousand dollars is the prize.
Money is a UNIT; one=singular
19. Here's my book. Contains singular verb “is” causing it to take a sing. sub.
20. The ABC 33/40 news is a reliable source of
information. Most nouns ending in “s” = singular