Subject-Verb Agreement We are only talking about present tense!!!

Basic Rule Singular subjects (usually doesn’t have –s-)need singular verbs (usually have –s-). Plural subjects (usually have –s- )need plural verbs (usually DON’T have –s-).

Phrases Between Subject & Verb! When a phrase comes between the subject & the verb, the number of the subject IS NOT CHANGED!!! Focus on the subject when deciding whether the verb should be singular or plural WHEN IN DOUBT…CROSS THAT PHRASE OUT!!!

Phrases Between Subject & Verb! Prepositional Phrases: ~The success of Hollywood films is Singular SubjectSingular Verb based on the grosses. ~Filmgoers at the box office give a Plural Subject Plural Verb financial thumbs up to a film.

Phrases Between Subject & Verb! Appositive Phrases: ~Jurassic Park, a high-grossing film, Singular Subject/Verb has made many millions. ~Sequels- The Lost World and others- Plural Subject/Verb generally make less.

Phrases Between Subject & Verb! Participial Phrases: ~Sometimes a movie loved by millions Singular Verb/Subject receives a poor review. ~Movie lovers, playing critic, turn the Plural Subject Plural Verb movie around.

Compound Subjects A compound subject contains 2 or more simple subjects. Compound subjects can take either singular or plural verbs.

Compound Subjects Parts joined by AND A compound subject whose parts are joined by AND requires a plural verb (has no –s-). Example: Plural SubjectSingular Subject Plural V. Pictures and movement come together in animated films.

Compound Subjects Parts joined by OR or NOR When the parts of a compound subject are joined by OR or NOR, the verb should agree with the part closest to it. Example: Plural Subject Singular Subject Neither the animation cells nor celluloid film was used for that movie.

Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects ALWAYS SINGULAR: ~each, anything, nothing, one, everything, something, everyone, either, someone, anyone, no one, nobody, everybody, neither, somebody, anybody Examples: ~After the inspection, everything was in its place. ~No one wants to go first. ALWAYS PLURAL: ~many, few, both Examples: ~Few are ready for the examination. ~Several of the townspeople are planning to attend. When an indefinite pronoun is used as a subject, its verb must agree with it in number. Indefinite pronouns can be grouped into 3 categories.

Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects SINGULAR OR PLURAL: ~some, most, all, none, any Examples: ~Most of the team is healthy. (Most refers to team, which is singular.) ~Most of the sophomores attend the class meeting. (Most refers to sophomores, which is plural.) Either or indefinite pronouns that act as subjects DEPEND on the object of the preposition that follows. This is the ONLY time you CANNOT cross that phrase out!

just SPECIAL subjects... Singular Examples: ~The flock is ready to be sheared. ~Our team is the best. PLURAL ~The flock are sheared one at a time. Our team are all seniors. A collective noun names a group. It is considered singular when it refers to a group as a whole. It is plural when it refers to each member individually.

just SPECIAL subjects... Some nouns end in -s- are singular & take singular verbs. Example: Mumps is a painful childhood disease. A title is always singular, even if it contains plural words. Example: Travels with Charley is an engrossing book. “Cycles” is my latest poem. Many nouns ending in -ics may be singular or plural depending on their meaning. Singular: Politics is a challenging field. (one type of field) Plural: Her politics are confusing to many people. (more than one political standpoint) Singular nouns ending in -s take plural verbs. Example: The scissors are on the shelf.

just SPECIAL subjects... Nouns of amount are singular when they refer to a total that is considered one unit. They are plural when they refer to a number of individual units. Singular: Nine dollars is the price. (one unit) Plural: Nine dollars were found under the bleachers. (nine individual units)

These create problems: Phrases that come between the subject pronoun and its verb —may contain plural words and confuse. Each of the basketball players is excited about tonight’s game.

These create problems: Certain Indefinite Pronouns, such as everyone and everybody, seem plural, but they are always singular — so they need a singular verb (has –s-). 1. Everyone who worked on the science project is a winner. 2. Someone has to answer the phone.

Problem Sentences An inverted sentence is one in which the subject follows the verb. ~Take care to locate the subject accurately, making sure that the verb agrees with it. ~Because an inverted sentence often begins with a prepositional phrase, the object of the preposition can be easily mistaken for the subject. ~Remember that the subject follows the verb in an inverted sentence. Singular: Under the bush sits a rabbit. ~(The verb, sits, must agree with the subject, rabbit.) Plural: Under the bush sit three rabbits. ~(The verb, sit, must agree with the subject, rabbits.)

Problem Sentences Inverted sentences often begin with the word there or here. ~These words are almost never the subject of a sentence. Singular: ~There is a shadow across the page. ~Here comes my brother. Plural: ~There are cracks in the foundation. ~Here are five examples. The subject in an interrogative sentence may follow an auxiliary verb. ~In this event, the subject will appear between the auxiliary verb and the main verb. Singular: ~Does the price include tax? Plural: ~Do our privileges include free admission?

These create problems: Verbs that accompany pronouns such as all and some will be determined by whether the pronoun is referring to something that is COUNTABLE or not. 1. Some of the workers on the building have left for the day. You could count the workers.

These create problems: Verbs that accompany pronouns such as all and some will be determined by whether the pronoun is referring to something that is COUNTABLE or not. 1. Some of the salt was spilled on the floor. Salt is considered one lump item.

These create problems: None is usually regarded as singular, but it can be used as a plural pronoun. None of the boys has helped at the game. OR None of the boys have helped at the game. Either is correct!

These create problems: Phrases such as together with, along with, and as well as seem to combine subjects, but they do not. Some of the tile in our room, as well as the hall, was soaked. The major problem we had, together with that of our teacher, was tardiness. Don’t be fooled by extra phrases!

These create problems: When either and neither appear as a subject alone (without the words or and nor), they are singular. 1. Either of those answers seems to be right. 2. You can have the bed by the window or the one by the door. Either is okay with me. Seems like plural things!

These create problems: The words there and here are never subjects. 1.Here are the papers you gave me. 2.Here is my answer. Here is not the subject.

These create problems: Verbs in the present tense for third- person, singular subjects (he, she, it and anything those words can stand for) have s-endings. Other verbs do not add s-endings. 1.He asks for help. 2.She asks for help. 3.They ask for help. Tricky subject pronouns

Let’s Try These! Directions: If the subject and verb are in agreement click "correct." If they are not, click the word that is the correct answer. Ready?

Bill am going to the store. a) correct correct b) is is c) was was d) were were e) does does

Oh No! The subject and verb are not in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to try again. try again.

CORRECT! The subject and verb are in agreement. Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward. move forward.

The teachers are going to the movie. a) correct correct b) am am c) is is d) does does e) was was

This are going to be the easiest quiz of all time. a) correct correct b) is is c) am am d) was was e) were were

Everyone at the movie is taking a dollar. a) correct correct b) were were c) am am d) are are e) when when

This is a fun book to read. a) correct correct b) was was c) were were d) am am e) does does

One time I were at the mountains. a) correct correct b) was was c) is is d) am am e) does does

Everyone are going to the circus. a) correct correct b) were were c) was was d) is is e) does does

Each of the students are worried about the test. a) correct correct b) has has c) is is d) am am e) does does

None of those girls go to church. a) correct correct b) goes goes c) are are d) were were e) does does

The last book we read, as well as the five in the library, was fiction. a) correct correct b) is is c) am am d) were were e) does does

Subject-Verb Agreement We are only talking about present tense!!!

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Subject-Verb Agreement We are only talking about present tense!!!

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