1. Subject-Verb Agreement: Helping Words Get Along
An Introduction
Jacob M. Lightbody © 2014

2. Introduction:
Subject-verb agreement errors are very common in writing. These errors weaken a writer’s ability to communicate effectively. Fortunately, many of these mistakes can be fixed by paying attention to one simple rule.

3. We’d better check to make sure that we know what subject-verb agreement means before we learn the rule. We’ll review the definitions of subjects and verbs on the next slide.

4. Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and the verb in a sentence are used together correctly.
Here’s a reminder of what those words mean:
Subject = Who or what the sentence
is about
Verb = What is happening in the
sentence (the action)

5. The Rule:
The simple thing to remember about subject-verb agreement is that singular subjects require singular verbs. Likewise, plural subjects require plural verbs.
-This is easier than it sounds.
Let’s look at some examples!

6. Example #1: Singular: He writes well. Plural: We write well.
Notice that the verb changes from singular to plural in order to “agree” with the subject.

7. She is going to the store. Plural: We are going to the store.
Example #2:
Singular:
She is going to the store.
Plural:
We are going to the store.
Notice that the verb changes from singular to plural in order to “agree” with the subject.

8. There are a lot of complexities concerning subject-verb agreement that you will need to learn in the future. For now, let’s review the basic rule that we’ll be using today.
- Ready?

9. 1.) Select the verb that agrees with the
subject.
We _____ going to the skating party.
A.) is
B.) are

10. Go Back
Go Forward

11. You got it!
Go Forward

12. 2.) Select the verb that agrees with the
subject.
We _____ to see the monster movie.
A.) want
B.) wants

13. Go Back
Go Forward

14. You got it!
Go Forward

15. 3.) Select the verb that agrees with the
subject.
He _____ late for his bus this morning.
A.) was
B.) were

16. Go Back
Go Forward

17. You got it!
Go Forward

18. 4.) Select the subject that agrees with the
verb.
______ is the new champion.
A.) She
B.) We

19. Go Back
Go Forward

20. You got it!
Go Forward

21. 5.) Select the subject that agrees with the
verb.
______ wish that the rain would stop.
A.) He
B.) They

22. Go Back
Go Forward

23. You got it!
Go Forward

24. The End
(You did a wonderful job today.)

25. Subject-Verb Agreement Products:
Limited Product Catalog:
Subject-Verb Agreement Products:
Subject-Verb Agreement: Reviewing the Basics (PowerPoint): This product reviews the concepts presented in the free sample and offers fifteen interactive review questions. ($1)
Link:
Subject-Verb Agreement: Practice Part I (PowerPoint): This product offers twenty interactive review questions. ($1)
Link:
Subject-Verb Agreement: Was vs. Were (Worksheets): This product consists of three worksheets. Answer keys are included. ($1)
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26. Subject-Verb Agreement Products Continued:
Subject-Verb Agreement: Is vs. Are (Worksheets): This product consists of three worksheets. Answer keys are included. ($1)
Link:
Subject-Verb Agreement: Has vs. Have (Worksheets): This product consists of three worksheets. Answer keys are included. ($1)
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Verb Tense Products:
Verb Tense & Regular Verbs Part I: Simple Tenses (PowerPoint): This product explores simple regular verb tenses and offers fifteen interactive review questions. ($1)
Link:
Verb Tense & Regular Verbs Part II: Perfect & Progressive Tenses (PowerPoint): This product explores simple perfect and progressive verb tenses and offers fifteen interactive review questions. ($1)
Link: hthttp://

27. Free Samples:
Figurative Language Review (PowerPoint): This product reviews six basic types of figurative language. (FREE)
Link: p://
Making Predictions: An Inference Activity (Worksheet): This product invites students to form inferences from short text passages. (FREE)
Link:
Using Context Clues With Nouns, Verbs & Adjectives (Worksheet): This product blends an exercise in identifying context clues with a review of the basic parts of speech. (FREE)
Link:
Onomatopoeia: It’s Easy! (Worksheet): This product is a practice worksheet that allows students to improve their understanding of onomatopoeia. (FREE)
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