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

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

How do we fix them?  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. A plural subject goes with a plural verb. Now the subjects and verbs agree!

To be correct, subjects and verbs must agree… NUMBER: They must agree in NUMBER: Singularsubjectssingularverbs.Singular subjects go with singular verbs. EveryonewantsEveryone wants to win the lottery. Plural subjectspluralverbs.Plural subjects go with plural verbs. AllwantAll the players want to win the game. Number is always about Singular & PluralNumber is always about Singular & Plural

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 aboutbeforeduringinsideover abovebelowexceptinthrough acrossbesideforofto aroundbetweenfromoffunder atbyinonwith

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.Inside the garage is the shovel. Across the border are Reynosa and Progresso.Across the border are Reynosa and Progresso. Where are the instructions for the X- Box?Where are the instructions for the X- Box?

Indefinite Pronouns [-one words] [-body words] [-thing words] onenobodynothingeach anyoneanybodyanythingneither everyoneeverybodyeverythingeither someonesomebodysomething All of these indefinite pronouns are singular Nobody_____has/have Nobody _____ a clue about what they are doing. (has/have) _____is/are Everything _____ ready for the party. (is/are) Neither____knows/know Neither Fred, nor Ed, nor Ted ____ the way. (knows/know) All and both, however, are plural Allwantswant All of them wants to go. (should be want)

These create problems: The words there and here are never subjects. 1.Here are the papers you gave me. 2.Here is my answer. Here is not the subject.

Compound Subjects  Subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb. Diet and exercise is ways to be healthy. (should be are ) Ambition and luck was Juan ’ s keys to success. (should be were ) Who, Which and That singular words singular verbs If they stand for singular words, who, which and that take singular verbs: person_____is/are Rebecca is a person who _____ very private. (is/are) plural words plural verbs If they stand for plural words, who, which and that take plural verbs: people_____ is/are Joel is one of those people who _____ very private. (is/are)

Compound Subjects Joined By Words Like Or  Be careful when your subjects are joined by the following words:  or  nor  either... or  neither... nor  not only... but (also)

Compound Subjects Joined By Words Like Or  In such cases, the verb agrees with the subject nearest it. Example: Either the instructors or the student knows the answer.  TIP: Try to ignore everything before the final subject

Using Singular Verbs with Titles and Terms  Titles and terms are treated as singular subjects–even if they contain plural words. Examples: 1. Les Miserables is a popular musical. 2. “ Disciplinary measures ” is a euphemism for punishment.

Terms that refer to amounts  Money, time, weight, measurements, & fractions are usually singular when thought of as a single unit. Example: 1. Ten dollars is too much for that silly band. 2. Twelve years seems like a long time for school.  When money, time, weight, measurements, & fractions are thought of as separate items, they are plural. Example: 1. Ten quarters are divided among six cups. 2. Those twelve years are each important ones.

General Rules for checking subject / verb agreement  When you are trying to see if the subject and verb agree, leave out the part you don ’ t need SUCH AS A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE! (The subject will NEVER be in the prepositional phrase) Everyone in the contest want to win. Everyone want to win. [wrong!: should be wants ]  Now put the part back: Everyone in the contest wants to win.  Say the sentence to yourself out loud, if it doesn ’ t sound right, there is a very good chance it is not right.

One More Thing: Tense Agreement  Tense is all about time.  Usually we write in the Past tense.  The Present and Future are fine, but once you start in a tense, STAY there!  “ Yesterday we decided that tomorrow we will go shopping ” is correct. (Past & Future together)  “ We went to the store and buy food. ” is not correct. (Past & Present together) It should be bought not buy.

Everyone at the movie is taking a dollar. a) correct correct b) were were c) am am d) are are e) when when

Oh No! The subject and verb are not in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to try again. try again.

CORRECT! The subject and verb are in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward. move forward.

One time I were at the mountains. a) correct correct b) was was c) is is d) am am e) does does

Oh No! The subject and verb are not in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to try again. try again.

CORRECT! The subject and verb are in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward. move forward.

Each of the students are worried about the test. a) correct correct b) has has c) is is d) am am e) does does

Oh No! The subject and verb are not in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to try again. try again.

CORRECT! The subject and verb are in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward. move forward.

The last book we read, as well as the five in the library, was fiction. a) correct correct b) is is c) am am d) were were e) does does

Oh No! The subject and verb are not in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to try again. try again.

CORRECT! The subject and verb are in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward. move forward.