Subject-Verb Agreement

Rule 1: Verbs must agree with their subjects in NUMBER If the subject is SINGULAR, the verb must be in its SINGULAR form If the subject is PLURAL, the verb must be in its PLURAL form Hint: a noun that ends in “s” is usually plural, but a verb that ends in “s” is usually singular. Examples: The student helps the old lady across the street. The students help the old lady across the street.

Let’s Practice Page 157 Ex. A #1-5

Rule 2: Ignore phrases lurking in the sentence Sometimes a phrase that is hiding between the subject and verb can be confusing. For example: The Smith family dog, loved by neighbors, barks every evening until midnight.

Let’s review phrases, shall we? A phrase is a group of related words that acts as one part of speech. Phrases do not have a subject or verb. Prepositional phrases Participial Phrases Appositive Phrases Gerund Phrases Infinitive Phrases

Why is recognizing a phrase important? …When a phrase is stuck between the subject and verb, the number of the subject does NOT change. Ex: The success of our students is reflected in their performance after high school. (subject- success/ verb – is reflected)

Let’s Practice Page 159 Ex. A #1-5

Rule 3: Compound Subjects Contain two or more simple subjects. Compound subjects can take either singular or plural verbs. When the parts are joined by AND, the verb is plural When the parts are joined by OR or NOR, the verb agrees with the closest part of the subject

For example… Joe and Bob are best friends. Neither Joe nor Bob is a friend of mine. (Bob is closest and singular) But… Either cake or cookies are my favorite snack. (cookies is closest to verb, therefore plural)

Let’s Practice Page 161 Part A #1-5

Homework Pg. 157 Part A #6-10 Pg. 159 Part A #6-10