SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT in more complex sentences…

REVIEW Singular Subjects require Singular Verbs Plural Subjects require Plural Verbs Examples Tim drives extremely fast.(Remember, Singular Verbs = yes “s”) Tim and Leslie drive extremely fast. (Remember, Plural Verbs = no “s”) It is the subject which determines the verb! Therefore, find the subject first, then choose the correct verb Is a noun automatically a subject? Example: Kelly and Tammy, girls in the class who wear a bows in their hair, are late.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS Compound Subjects are Two or more subjects joined by and, or, nor. They can be nouns (cat, dog, baseball) proper nouns (Eiffel Tower, Derek Jeter, Lebron Lames) Pronouns (He, She, It, They, We) As long as they are joined by and, or, nor They count as a compound subject

RULES FOR COMPOUND SUBJECTS If they are joined by and You use a plural verb NO MATTER WHAT! Examples: The coach and his players huddle near the sideline. The players and their coach huddle near the sideline. Therefore, no matter whether subjects are plural (players) or singular (coach), if the word and joins the two subjects, the verb will be plural!

COMPOUND SUBJECTS CONT. If they are joined by or, nor You select the verb based on which subject is closest to the verb. Example: Neither the coach nor his players need to huddle near the sideline. Either the players or the coach needs to huddle near the sideline. Notice how the subject which is closest to the verb decides whether the verb is plural or singular.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS Indefinite Pronouns are words that refer to an unspecific number or group: ex. anyone, someone, nobody, everybody. When faced with most Indefinite Pronouns, they will require a singular verb. Everyone has done his or her homework. Somebody has left her purse. However, some Indefinite Pronouns, based on what they are referring to, can require a singular or plural verb. Some of the beads are missing.(Notice that this is the case when the Some of the water is gone.pronoun refers to a specific noun) Therefore Always check the sentence to see if the noun is further described…if so, is it singular or plural? If not, go with singular!

COLLECTIVE NOUNS Collective Nouns are nouns that talk about a number of people, places, or things as a single group. The list to the right is comprised of Collective Nouns that are singular. For instance, a team does consist of many people; However, it is one team, which makes it singular. To make team plural, you would need at least two teams. For example: The two teams play valiantly to win the championship! audience band class committee crowd dozen family flock group heap herd jury kind lot number public staff team

PRACTICE QUIZ 1 QUIZ 2