Transcript singular verbs

Subject-Verb
Agreement
Basic Rule
 Singular
subjects need singular
verbs.
 Plural subjects need plural verbs.
 If a noun ends in “s”, it is usually
plural. But, if a verb ends in “s”, it is
usually singular.
Practice!
Page 157, #1-3
 For each one:

Write out the complete sentence with the
correct form of the verb on the bottom of
your packet page.
 Circle the simple subject in each sentence.

Practice!
 9th
Grade:
 Review: page 158
 Practice together: page 159, #1, 3, 5
Words Between Subject and
Verb:

Phrases that come between the
subject and its verb may contain
plural words. Don’t be confused–
keep your eye on the simple subject.
Ex.) Prepositional Phrase: The man
with his friends is smiling and
laughing.

Ex.) Appositive Phrase: That
woman, the one with all the hats,
is crazy!
Practice!
Page 159, #2, 4, 6, 8
 For each one:

Write the simple subject
 Write the correct form of the verb

Practice!
9th Grade:
 Review: Page 160
 Independent practice: Page 161, #3, 5,
6, 8
 For each one:

Write the simple subject
 Write the correct form of the verb

Indefinite pronouns:
Indefinite pronouns: Refer to an
unspecified person or thing.
 Singular: everyone/everybody,
someone/somebody, each,
either/neither, nobody
 Plural: both, few, many, several
 Depends: all, any, most, none, some

“Depends”?!
• With subjects like all, many, most,
none, or some, find the noun it refers
to. If it’s a plural noun, it will take a
plural verb.
Some of the workers on the building have
left for the day.
If it’s a singular noun, it will take a
singular verb.
Some of the show is over.
Practice!
Page 163, #3, 4, 8
 For each one:

Write the complete sentence with the
correct form of the verb.
 Circle the simple subject in each sentence.
 Draw an arrow from the subject to the noun
to which it refers
 Ex.) Some of the students have pencils.

Practice!
9th Grade:
 Review: Page 162
 Practice: Page 163, #3, 5, 6, 8

Other Confusing Subjects

Compound subjects: PLURAL, unless
referring to a single item
Plural: Mary and Jim enjoy ice skating.
 Singular: Spaghetti and meatballs is my
favorite dish.


Subjects with “or”: agree with subject
closest to verb.
Mary or Jim likes ice skating.
 The boy or the girls laugh at the movie.

Other Confusing Subjects

Collective nouns: usually singular


Ex.) The team plays well.
Titles, school subjects, number amounts,
and time: SINGULAR
Ex.) The Outsiders is a great book.
 Ex.) Mathematics is my worst subject.
 Ex.) Twelve dollars is not a lot of money.

Practice!
Page 166, exercise A: #3, 4, 7, 8, 9
 For each one:

Write out the simple subject
 Write the correct form of the verb

Practice!
9th grade:
 Practice: Page 168, #3, 4, 5, 7

With a partner:

Page 163, “A Range of Talent”
Number your paper 1-10.
 Re-write each sentence so that it has
correct subject-verb agreement.
 If the sentence is correct as-is, write
“Correct.”
