Transcript Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement
What is subject-verb agreement?
A verb must agree with its subject in
number. Number refers to whether the
word is singular or plural.
If the subject is singular, the verb must be
singular.
If the subject is plural, the verb must be
plural
Singular subjects and verbs
• Singular subjects take singular verbs.
Ex. Maria works cooperatively with her
classmates.
She listens carefully to their
suggestions.
Hint: Most nouns that end in –s are plural. Most verbs that
end in –s are singular.
Plural subjects and verbs
Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Ex. The players work together well as a
team.
They listen carefully to the coach.
Verb Phrases
• In a verb phrase, it is the first helping verb
that agrees with the subject.
Ex. Lou has volunteered for the teen
hotline.
They have been seeking advice from
their peers.
Using doesn’t and don’t
• Use doesn’t with all singular subjects
except I and you. Use don’t with all plural
subjects and the pronouns I and you.
Ex. Tiffany doesn’t attend folk concerts.
You don’t like to shop.
They don’t enjoy noisy, crowded malls.