1. Subject – Verb Agreement
Why do subjects and verbs have to agree? After all, they are only words!
We agree

2. What’s wrong with these sentences?
There is too many pictures on the wall.
Or this one?
Everybody but Julio want to go home.
All the people wants to win the lottery.
The subjects and verbs don’t agree!

3. How do we fix them? Now the subjects and verbs agree!
There are too many pictures on the wall.
A plural subject goes with a plural verb.
Everybody but Julio wants to go home.
A singular subject goes with a singular verb.
All the people plan to win the lottery.
Now the subjects and verbs agree!

4. To be correct, subjects and verbs must agree…
They must agree in NUMBER:
Singular subjects take singular verbs (EXCEPT for the words YOU and I).
Everyone wants to win the lottery.
Plural subjects take plural verbs.
All the players want to win the game.
Agreement can only be achieved in the present tense. NEVER use past tense for agreement.
Verb
Subject

5. 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)
**The FIRST helping verb must agree with the subject!- The class IS building bird houses.

6. Verb before the subject…
Inside the garage are the shovel.
Across the border is Reynosa and Progresso.
Where is the instructions for the X-Box?
Shouldn’t they be…?
Inside the garage is the shovel.
Across the border are Reynosa and Progresso.
Where are the instructions for the X-Box?

7. 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.

8. What causes problems with S/V agreement?
Words between the subject and the verb:
The shoes in the closet needs to be shined.
In the closet is a prepositional phrase between the subject shoes and the verb need.
To be correct, the verb should be: need with no “s”
The shoes in the closet need to be shined.
Common Prepositions
about
before
during
inside
over
above
below
except in
through
across
beside
for of to
around
between
from
off
under at by on
with

9. BEWARE! BEWARE! BEWARE!
Indefinite Pronouns will try to trick you. Know which ones are Singular, Plural, and Both
The class (of students) is smart.
The girls (in the class) are smart.

10. Indefinite Pronouns Singular
-one, -body, -thing, each, either, neither
Example: Each of the doors is broke.
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 of the prep phrase to determine the number of the subject of SINGULAR and PLURAL Indefinite Pronouns. This is the time only time you rely on the prepositional phrase.

11. Compound Subjects. . .
1. Subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb.
The boy and girl live in two different dormitories.
2. A compound subject that names only one person or thing takes a singular verb.
The captain and point guard is Jack.
Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite snack.

12. Compound Subjects. . .
3. Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor” take a singular verb.
A ticket or pass is required to enter the gala.
An excuse or a doctor’s note is required to return to school.
4. When a singular Subject and Plural Subject are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.
The students or teacher is in the classroom.
The notebook or the books are in my backpack.

13. 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).

14. 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.

15. Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules for Other Special Problems
Most nouns ending in “s” are still SINGULAR.
Examples:
Mumps
Measles
News
Philippines

16. Subject-Verb Agreement
Rules for Other Special Problems
Words stating amounts are usually SINGULAR.
Example:
Fifty thousand dollars has been raised (not have).

17. 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. 1st helping verb agrees with sub
4. Is anyone filling the piñata?
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.

18. 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” ; obj. of prep.ph
10. All of the pears are ripe. ALL can be “both” ; obj. of prep.ph

19. 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
A book or flowers usually make an appropriate gift. “or” = verb agrees w/ sub. nearer the verb
The clothes or the bag smells terrible.
“or” = verb agrees w/ sub. nearer the verb