1. 1 subject-verb Agreement

2. 2 Subject/Verb Agreement A verb must agree with its subject in number. A verb is conjugated differently depending on its agreement to the subject. Usually “s” is for singular when it comes to verbs. The verb ending in “s” is normally the singular form of the verb. A verb must agree with its subject in number. A verb is conjugated differently depending on its agreement to the subject. Usually “s” is for singular when it comes to verbs. The verb ending in “s” is normally the singular form of the verb.

3. 3 Singular Subjects When the subject is singular, the verb must be in its singular form in order to display agreement. The coffee brews in the pot. The ocean roars in the distance. When she is focused, she plays the violin well. When the subject is singular, the verb must be in its singular form in order to display agreement. The coffee brews in the pot. The ocean roars in the distance. When she is focused, she plays the violin well.

4. 4 Plural Subjects A plural subject takes a plural verb. Squirrels eat the seeding from the bird feeder. They practice after school. A plural subject takes a plural verb. Squirrels eat the seeding from the bird feeder. They practice after school.

5. 5 Verb Phrases When a sentence contains a verb phrase, the first helping verb in the phrase must agree with the subject. Latrice has been studying Arabic. They have been studying Arabic. When a sentence contains a verb phrase, the first helping verb in the phrase must agree with the subject. Latrice has been studying Arabic. They have been studying Arabic.

6. 6 Problems in Agreement: Phrases between subjects and verbs The number of a subject is not changed by the phrase following a subject. You need to locate the actual subject of the sentence before you can determine subject/verb agreement. DO NOT use the object of the prepositional phrase to consider your subject/verb agreement. The phrase is a modifier and, when taken out, should not disrupt the subject/verb agreement of a sentence. The number of a subject is not changed by the phrase following a subject. You need to locate the actual subject of the sentence before you can determine subject/verb agreement. DO NOT use the object of the prepositional phrase to consider your subject/verb agreement. The phrase is a modifier and, when taken out, should not disrupt the subject/verb agreement of a sentence.

7. 7 Phrases between Subjects and Verbs The ballerina with the long black braids has been my sister’s ballet teacher for years. These shades of blue are my favorite colors. Scientists from all over the world have gathered in Geneva. The crystal pitcher, oozing water droplets, was cracked along the base. The ballerina with the long black braids has been my sister’s ballet teacher for years. These shades of blue are my favorite colors. Scientists from all over the world have gathered in Geneva. The crystal pitcher, oozing water droplets, was cracked along the base.

8. 8 An exception to the rule… When the subject of the sentence is an indefinite pronoun such as all, any, more, most, none, or some, its number may be determined by the object of the prepositional phrase that follows.

9. 9 An exception to the rule… Some of the pie has been eaten. Some of the students are confused about subject-verb agreement. Some of the pie has been eaten. Some of the students are confused about subject-verb agreement.

10. 10 Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns ( See pPT on Indefinite pronouns)

11. 11 subject-verb Agreement with compound subjects

12. 12 Subjects joined by and When one or more subjects are joined by and, be sure to use the plural form of the verb. The and indicates that your subject is most probably plural.

13. 13 Exclusive Conjunctions Joining the Subject Conjunctions such as or, nor, either…or, neither…nor, are exclusive. Both subjects are not responsible for the action together; therefore, close attention to the proper subject-verb agreement is needed. Conjunctions such as or, nor, either…or, neither…nor, are exclusive. Both subjects are not responsible for the action together; therefore, close attention to the proper subject-verb agreement is needed.

14. 14 Exclusive Conjunctions Joining the Subject When an exclusive conjunction joins the subject of your sentence, you must look at the subject closest to the verb to form subject-verb agreement.

15. 15 Exclusive Conjunctions Joining the Subject The senator or he (addresses, address) the crowd today. (Is, Are) Birmingham or Montgomery the largest city in Alabama? Neither Paul nor Brandon (remember, remembers) where he left the camera. Either Caroline or Sheri (sets, set) the table for dinner every night. Neither the students nor their teacher (leaves, leave) the lab before cleaning the equipment. The senator or he (addresses, address) the crowd today. (Is, Are) Birmingham or Montgomery the largest city in Alabama? Neither Paul nor Brandon (remember, remembers) where he left the camera. Either Caroline or Sheri (sets, set) the table for dinner every night. Neither the students nor their teacher (leaves, leave) the lab before cleaning the equipment.

16. 16 Either smoke or gases (causes, cause) the smog. The cities or the state (responds, respond) to pollution complaints. Either smoke or gases (causes, cause) the smog. The cities or the state (responds, respond) to pollution complaints. Exclusive Conjunctions Joining the Subject

17. 17 agreement with collective noun subjects

18. 18 Collective Nouns Collective nouns follow special agreement rules. A collective noun has a singular meaning when it names a group that acts as a unit. A collective noun has a plural meaning when it refers to the members of the group acting as individuals. Collective nouns follow special agreement rules. A collective noun has a singular meaning when it names a group that acts as a unit. A collective noun has a plural meaning when it refers to the members of the group acting as individuals.

19. 19 Collective Nouns The audience sits in silence. (a unit, singular) The audience sit on their chairs and pillows. (individuals, plural) The audience sits in silence. (a unit, singular) The audience sit on their chairs and pillows. (individuals, plural)

20. 20 Collective Nouns The science club has decided to do its science fair at St. Agatha on March 25, in the Parish Hall. (singular) The faculty disagree about their after school responsibilities. (plural) The science club has decided to do its science fair at St. Agatha on March 25, in the Parish Hall. (singular) The faculty disagree about their after school responsibilities. (plural)

21. 21 Agreement with Inverted Sentences

22. 22 Agreement with Inverted Sentences Making a verb agree with its subject is easy when the verb directly follows the subject. An inverted sentence is a sentence in which the subject follows the verb. Making a verb agree with its subject is easy when the verb directly follows the subject. An inverted sentence is a sentence in which the subject follows the verb.

23. 23 Inverted Sentences Inverted sentences often begin with a prepositional phrase. Don’t mistake the object of the preposition for the subject of the sentence. Inverted sentences often begin with a prepositional phrase. Don’t mistake the object of the preposition for the subject of the sentence.

24. 24 Inverted Sentences Across the ocean sail millions of immigrants. Here is a picture of my grandparents There are many immigrants among my ancestors. Across the ocean sail millions of immigrants. Here is a picture of my grandparents There are many immigrants among my ancestors.

25. 25 Inverted Sentences Rewrite an inverted sentence to determine the true subject. Millions of immigrants sail across the ocean. A picture of my grandparents is here. Many immigrants are there among my ancestors. Rewrite an inverted sentence to determine the true subject. Millions of immigrants sail across the ocean. A picture of my grandparents is here. Many immigrants are there among my ancestors.

26. 26 Inverted Sentences Rewrite interrogative sentences as declarative to check subject-verb agreement. Do these stories interest you? These stories do interest you. Rewrite interrogative sentences as declarative to check subject-verb agreement. Do these stories interest you? These stories do interest you.

27. 27 Other special agreement issues

28. 28 Special Nouns that end in s Certain nouns, such as news and mathematics, end in s but require a singular verb. Other nouns that end in s and name only one thing, such as scissors and binoculars, require plural verbs. Certain nouns, such as news and mathematics, end in s but require a singular verb. Other nouns that end in s and name only one thing, such as scissors and binoculars, require plural verbs.

29. 29 Special Nouns that End in s Some singular nouns that end in s include: civics, physics, Los Angeles, United Nations, mathematics, United States, news Some singular nouns that end in s include: civics, physics, Los Angeles, United Nations, mathematics, United States, news

30. 30 Special Nouns that end in s Some nouns that always take the plural form of the verb include: binoculars, jeans, pants, pliers, scissors, sunglasses, trousers, tweezers Some nouns that always take the plural form of the verb include: binoculars, jeans, pants, pliers, scissors, sunglasses, trousers, tweezers

31. 31 Amounts and Units A subject that refers to an amount as a single unit is singular. A subject that refers to a number of individual units is plural. A subject that refers to an amount as a single unit is singular. A subject that refers to a number of individual units is plural.

32. 32 Amounts and Units Ten years seems a long time. (single, singular) Ten years pass quickly. (individual, plural) Three dollars is the admission price. (single, singular) Three dollars are on the table. (individual, plural) Ten years seems a long time. (single, singular) Ten years pass quickly. (individual, plural) Three dollars is the admission price. (single, singular) Three dollars are on the table. (individual, plural)

33. 33 Titles of Creative Works The title of a book or a work of art is always singular, even if the noun in the title is plural. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a good Disney movie. The Last of the Mohicans was written by James Fenimore Cooper. The title of a book or a work of art is always singular, even if the noun in the title is plural. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a good Disney movie. The Last of the Mohicans was written by James Fenimore Cooper.

34. 34 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

35. 35 Pronouns and Antecedents A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in both number and gender. An antecedent is the word(s) that a pronoun replaces. An antecedent comes before a pronoun. It lets the reader know what the pronoun is referring to. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in both number and gender. An antecedent is the word(s) that a pronoun replaces. An antecedent comes before a pronoun. It lets the reader know what the pronoun is referring to.

36. 36 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. Be careful with gender. Example: Neither Natasha nor Hannah seems to be able to stay in her seat. Either Brian or Cristina will be the Good Apple for his or her class. Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. Be careful with gender. Example: Neither Natasha nor Hannah seems to be able to stay in her seat. Either Brian or Cristina will be the Good Apple for his or her class.

37. 37 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Use plural pronouns to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and. Rebecca and Karla both bought their shoes at an outlet store. Use plural pronouns to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and. Rebecca and Karla both bought their shoes at an outlet store.

38. 38 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Use the appropriate pronoun (number) to refer to indefinite pronouns that are used as antecedents. Remember that some indefinite pronouns are always singular and some are always plural. Everyone who was invited has received his or her invitation. Several of the club members have not paid their dues Use the appropriate pronoun (number) to refer to indefinite pronouns that are used as antecedents. Remember that some indefinite pronouns are always singular and some are always plural. Everyone who was invited has received his or her invitation. Several of the club members have not paid their dues

39. 39 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Some indefinite pronouns can be both singular or plural depending on how they are used. Pay close attention to the phrase that follows so that you use the appropriate pronoun to replace these indefinite pronouns. Have any of the spices lost their flavor? All of the casserole is still in its dish. Some indefinite pronouns can be both singular or plural depending on how they are used. Pay close attention to the phrase that follows so that you use the appropriate pronoun to replace these indefinite pronouns. Have any of the spices lost their flavor? All of the casserole is still in its dish.

40. 40 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A pronoun that refers to a collective noun has the same number as the noun. So, if the collective noun is being used in the singular form use a singular pronoun to refer to it. If the collective noun is being used in the plural form (meaning each member of the group is engaging in an individual task) then use a plural pronoun to refer to the collective noun. A pronoun that refers to a collective noun has the same number as the noun. So, if the collective noun is being used in the singular form use a singular pronoun to refer to it. If the collective noun is being used in the plural form (meaning each member of the group is engaging in an individual task) then use a plural pronoun to refer to the collective noun.

41. 41 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Example: The first group will give its presentation on Monday. (singular) The group practiced delivering their individual speeches. (plural) Example: The first group will give its presentation on Monday. (singular) The group practiced delivering their individual speeches. (plural)

42. 42 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement With expressions of amount, if the expression is referring to the amount as a single unit, use a singular pronoun. If the expression of amount is referring to the amount as individual units, then use a plural pronoun. With expressions of amount, if the expression is referring to the amount as a single unit, use a singular pronoun. If the expression of amount is referring to the amount as individual units, then use a plural pronoun.

43. 43 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Ten dollars was my allowance this week. I earned it by doing all of my chores. (singular) Two dollars were lying on the counter. One of them was torn. (plural) Ten dollars was my allowance this week. I earned it by doing all of my chores. (singular) Two dollars were lying on the counter. One of them was torn. (plural)

44. 44 Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Even when plural in form, the title of a work, the name of an organization, or the name of a country or city usually takes a singular pronoun.

45. 45 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement “The Fox and the Grapes” is a fable by Aesop. It is one with a very important moral lesson.