Subject-Verb Agreement “They was talking, Miss!” “You is crazy!” “She don’t know the answer.” -Comments made by students at GMS

Rule #1 Singular simple subjects require singular verbs. Singular Simple Subject—one person, place, thing, or idea Singular Verb—usually has an “s” Example: The cat limps across the bed.

Rule #2 Plural simple subjects require plural verbs. Plural Simple Subject—2+ people, places, things, or ideas Plural Verb—usually has NO “s” Example: The cats meow at night.

Rule #3 Simple subjects joined by and require a plural verb. Plural Verb—usually has NO “s” Example: Mrs. Bender, Ms. Maxwell, and I love grammar. The cats and dog run together in the yard.

Rule #4 When simple subjects are joined by or OR nor, form the agreement with the simple subject closer/closest to the verb. Example: The kids or their mom plans to attend tonight. Mom or her kids plan to attend tonight.

Rule #5 Sentences that begin with here or there are inverted. Put them in normal word order. Then, form agreement. Example: Here (is/are) your keys. Your keys are here.

Rule #6 If a sentence is interrogative, turn the question into a declarative statement. Then form agreement. Example: (Have/Has) he helped? He has helped.

Rule #7 Never form subject-verb agreement with a word within a prepositional phrase. Example: On the log (sit/sits) the boys. The boys sit on the log. The boys on the bus (wave/waves). The boys on the bus wave.