Subject-Verb Agreement How does this sound? Most schools pay more attention to the honor students than the students that are struggling in the classroom and actually needs some guidance. Most schools pay more attention to the honor students than the students that are struggling in the classroom and actually needs some guidance.

Subject-Verb Agreement What’s wrong with those sentences?

Subject-Verb Agreement

Verb & Subject Verb = the action in the sentence Subject= the thing or person doing the action

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #1: A verb should agree in number with its subject.

Subject-Verb Agreement Number= singular or plural Number= singular or plural Singular subjects take singular verbs Singular subjects take singular verbs Singular verb + singular subject= agreement Singular verb + singular subject= agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: In her spare time, the art student restores old paintings. In her spare time, the art student restores old paintings. He illustrates books for young readers. He illustrates books for young readers. Is the next lunar eclipse a full eclipse? Is the next lunar eclipse a full eclipse?

Subject-Verb Agreement Number= singular or plural Number= singular or plural Plural subjects take plural verbs Plural subjects take plural verbs Plural verb + plural subject= agreement Plural verb + plural subject= agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: In their spare time, the art students restore old paintings. In their spare time, the art students restore old paintings. They illustrate books for young readers. They illustrate books for young readers. Are the next lunar eclipses full eclipses? Are the next lunar eclipses full eclipses?

Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement in the Present Tense: Subject-Verb Agreement in the Present Tense: Some English language learners might think that agreement means that when the subject ends in –s, the verb must also end in –s. Some English language learners might think that agreement means that when the subject ends in –s, the verb must also end in –s.

Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement in the Present Tense: A singular subject does not end in an –s. A singular subject does not end in an –s. A singular verb DOES end with an –s. A singular verb DOES end with an –s.

Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement in the Present Tense: The girl runs. The girl runs. The girls run. The girls run.

Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement in the Present Tense: Examples: In her spare time, the art student restores old paintings. The young man illustrates books for young readers. The young man illustrates books for young readers.

Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement in the Past Tense: Generally speaking, past tense verbs have the same form regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.

Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement in the Past Tense: Examples: Singular: The teacher attended an English conference. Plural: The teachers attended an English conference.

Subject-Verb Agreement The “Be” Verb That’s one tricky verb!

Subject-Verb Agreement The Forms of Be: Present TensePast Tense PersonSingularPluralSingularPlural 1 st I am We are I was We were 2 nd You are You were 3 rd He, she, it is They are He, she, it was They were

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: I was at the store buying Christmas cookies yesterday. I was at the store buying Christmas cookies yesterday. We were at the store buying Christmas cookies yesterday. We were at the store buying Christmas cookies yesterday.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #2: The number of a subject is not changed by a word in a phrase or a clause following the subject.

Subject-Verb Agreement Phrase/clause= something that further describes the subject of verb Subject (clause or phrase) + Verb = agreement Subject (clause or phrase) + Verb = agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: Mark Twain writes novels and short stories during the gilded era of American history. Mark Twain writes novels and short stories during the gilded era of American history. Mark Twain, (one of the most famous American writers), writes novels and short stories during the gilded era of American history. Mark Twain, (one of the most famous American writers), writes novels and short stories during the gilded era of American history.

Subject-Verb Agreement Identify the subject, verb and clause or phrase: The short stories in this anthology are by various contemporary American authors. The short stories in this anthology are by various contemporary American authors. The short stories (in this anthology) are by various contemporary American authors. The short stories (in this anthology) are by various contemporary American authors.

Subject-Verb Agreement Edmonia Lewis, whose subjects included John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, was the first African American woman to achieve renown for her sculpture. Edmonia Lewis, whose subjects included John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, was the first African American woman to achieve renown for her sculpture. Edmonia Lewis, (whose subjects included John Brown and Abraham Lincoln), was the first African American woman to achieve renown for her sculpture. Edmonia Lewis, (whose subjects included John Brown and Abraham Lincoln), was the first African American woman to achieve renown for her sculpture.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rule #3: Compound subjects determine the number of the verb.

Subject-Verb Agreement A. In most cases, use a plural verb with a compound subject in which the parts are joined by and. Example: Kenyetta and Lewis make their beds everyday before coming to school.

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: Saturn and its rings (present, presents) astronomers with interesting clues to the formation of planets and solar systems. Saturn and its rings (present, presents) astronomers with interesting clues to the formation of planets and solar systems. The stores and the school (cooperate, cooperates) to schedule part-time work for students who want it. The stores and the school (cooperate, cooperates) to schedule part-time work for students who want it.

Subject-Verb Agreement B. Use a singular verb with a compound subject when the subject is thought of as a unit. Example: Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite kind of sandwich.

Subject-Verb Agreement C. Use a singular verb with a compound subject that is preceded by each or every. Example: Every magazine and catalog has its own computerized mailing list.

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: Every student and faculty member (need, needs) an I.D. card issued by the school. Every student and faculty member (need, needs) an I.D. card issued by the school. Before taking the computer to the service department, make sure every cable and switch (is, are) in its proper position. Before taking the computer to the service department, make sure every cable and switch (is, are) in its proper position.

Subject-Verb Agreement D. When the parts of a compound subject are joined by or or nor, use a verb that agrees with the subject nearer the verb. Example: Neither the mayor nor the council members were pleased with the press coverage.

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples: Neither the disk drives nor the monitor (respond, responds) when Jane flips the power switch. Neither the disk drives nor the monitor (respond, responds) when Jane flips the power switch. When ice and snowdrifts (cover, covers) the sidewalks and the street, driving becomes dangerous. When ice and snowdrifts (cover, covers) the sidewalks and the street, driving becomes dangerous.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Your Writing Go and be Subject-Verb Agreement EXPERTS!

Practice Sentences Directions: For the following sentences, determine which verb agrees with the sentence’s subject.

Practice Sentences Everybody in ancient kingdoms (receive, receives) gifts from the queen. Everybody in ancient kingdoms (receive, receives) gifts from the queen. Each of the kites (is, are) caught in a tree. Each of the kites (is, are) caught in a tree. Mimi, along with her sisters, (has, have) been taking voice lessons. Mimi, along with her sisters, (has, have) been taking voice lessons. Track and field (is, are) my favorite sport(s). Track and field (is, are) my favorite sport(s).