Subject Verb Agreement Doesn’t or Don’t

So far we have talked about… Subjects and verbs must agree in number – Singular – Plural – Compound – Intervening Phrases Let’s Review each of these rules

Choose the correct subj/verb agreement in the following examples Henry and Henrietta (1. spend, 2. spends) most of their spare time hunting werewolves.

Choose the correct verb in the following sentence. The police chief along with several firemen (1. were, 2. was) at the scene of the fire.

Choose the correct verb… The team (1. was, 2. were) looking for new warm ups.

Which sentence shows the correct subject verb agreement? 1. Each team relies on their captain. 2. Each team rely on their captain.

Which sentence shows the correct subject verb agreement? 1. The manager, as well as the fans, were angry with the umpire’s call. 2. The manager, as well as the fans, was angry with the umpire’s call.

Let’s try that one more time… 1. The athlete, along with her team mates, receives an award tonight. 2. The athlete, along with her team mates, receive and award tonight.

Now let’s try something new… When should you use don’t and when should you use doesn’t? – Don’t and doesn’t are contractions…the n’t = not – Not is not part of the verb Look at the following example…which sentence is correct? He doesn’t finish his homework at night. He don’t finish his homework at night.

Let’s practice 1. Jerry and Spinelli don’t like history 2. Jerry and Spinelli doesn’t like history.

Try again… 1. Tina doesn’t want to go skating. 2. Tina don’t want to go skating.

And again… 1. Anabelle doesn’t think it is safe outside during a full moon, too many werewolves running around. 2. Anabelle don’t think it is safe outside during a full moon, too many werewolves running around.

In conclusion… Subjects and verbs must agree in number Watch out for phrases sneaking in between the subject and the verb n’t = not and is not part of the verb