Subject Verb Agreemen t

Rule 1:  Basic Principle : Singular subjects (nouns) need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.  The key is to correctly identify the subject of the sentence, and decide if it is singular or plural. Then, match the verb to the subject.  A singular subject takes a verb that ends in s or es  The test measures critical thinking skills.  A plural subject takes a verb that does not end in s or es  The tests measure critical thinking skills.

Tutorial 1. Billy _______________ to buy a new skateboard. (want, wants) 2. Those two boys _______________ to buy new skateboards. (want, wants) 3. Grandpa _______________ a hamburger for dinner. (cook, cooks) 4. Grandma and Grandpa _______________ dinner together. (cook, cooks) 5. The dogs _______________ when the mail carrier comes. (growl, growls) Wants Want Cooks Cook Growl Exercise 1

Rule 1: 3. The pronouns each, either, neither, one, everyone, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, everybody, and much are singular and will require a verb with an -s ending. Examples : Everyone in the class is going on the trip. Neither teacher plans to cover the entire textbook.

Rule 1: The pronouns several, few, both, many, and others are plural and require a verb without an -s ending. Examples : Several of my friends work in the library. Many on the honor roll study long hours. The pronouns some, any, none, all, and most may be either singular or plural. Examples : Some of the cake was eaten. All of the contestants were present. Rules 2 & 3

Rule 1: When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by and, treat it like a plural subject. That means a verb without an s is needed. Examples : Students and teachers park in front of the auditorium. Pizza, cake and ice cream _______(has/have) always been his favorite foods. Exception: If the nouns joined by the word and are a single unit, treat it like a singular subject. Macaroni and cheese is being served. Rule # 4 have Compound Subjects

Rule 1: When a sentence has two or more subjects joined by or, or nor, choose a verb that agrees with the subject closest to it. Examples : Fudge or cookies are a good choice for dessert. Neither Tammy nor her sister likes to travel. Cookies or fudge _______ a good choice for desert. Neither her sister nor Tammy _________ to travel. is Rule # 5 likes Compound Subjects

Compound Subjects : 1. Ben and Pete (want, wants) to buy a new computer. 2. The color and style (is, are) important to most teenagers. 3. The price or warranty (is, are) not as important as other factors. 4. Neither a new television nor stereo (interest, interests) Ben and Pete. 5. The manager and sales clerk (try, tries) to convince them to buy an expensive model. Exercise 2

Delayed Subjects Often, the subject of a sentence will come after the verb. A simple way to identify the subject is as follows: 1. First identify the verb 2. Then ask the question " Who or what...?" These steps may help you select the subject of most sentences. Other points to remember:  The subject is never within a prepositional phrase.  To find the subject of a question, turn the question into a statement.  The words there and here are never the subjects.

Delayed Subjects : Instructions : underline the subject once and the verb twice. 1. There are almost seven million books in the Library of Congress. 2. How much are these bananas? 3. Where is Mary's brother? 4. There were thousands of people at the parade. Exercise 3