Grammar Focus 2: Subject-Verb Agreement

The Basics:  A singular subject takes a singular verb  All plural subjects take plural verbs  But of course it isn’t as easy as that…

The Keys:  Recognizing singular vs. plural verbs  Identifying the subject  Determining if the subject is singular or plural

Hint #1:  Verbs DO NOT form plurals by adding an “s” like nouns do Hint #2:  Determine singular verbs by substituting “he” for the subject  Determine plural verbs by substituting “they” for the subject

Try it:  What is the verb in the sentence below? Daisy, leader among students, loves speaking in public and attending debate tournaments.

Try it:

Someone other than me…  oi6vQO-SM oi6vQO-SM

Now the tricky parts:  Sentences with “or” or “nor” in the subject-  The verb must agree with whichever is closest to the verb  Either his brothers or Will is going to have to take me home.  Either Will or his brothers are going to have to take me home.

Now the tricky parts:  If the subject contains “and,” it is necessarily plural and takes a plural verb  Richielle and Malik are in 5 th period together.  “They are” (NOT “he are”)

Now the tricky parts:  A subject followed by a phrase beginning with “along with,” “as well as,” or “in addition to” is NOT changed by these phrases (they are not like “and”)  Crystal, in addition to her classmates, is aggravated by subject/verb agreement.  Verb?  is… “he is”  Subject?  just Crystal (singular)

Now the tricky parts:  These pronouns: each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verb  Everybody in 6 th period says grammar is fun.  “He says” (NOT “they says”)

Now the tricky parts:  Either and neither (as the sole subject) always take singular verbs  Either of us is capable of doing the job.  If the subject is “Either…or…” or “Neither…nor…,” refer to the earlier rule about “or” or “nor” within subjects. Told you it got tricky-

Now the tricky parts:  Always IGNORE any phrases between the subject and the verb.  Each of the girls is ready for the quiz.

Practice!  mar_quiz/subject_verb_agreement_1. asp mar_quiz/subject_verb_agreement_1. asp