1. Subject-Verb Agreement

2. Rule 1: Verbs must agree with their subjects in NUMBER
If the subject is SINGULAR, the verb must be in its SINGULAR form
If the subject is PLURAL, the verb must be in its PLURAL form
Hint: a noun that ends in “s” is usually plural, but a verb that ends in “s” is usually singular.
Examples: The student helps the old lady across the street.
The students help the old lady across the street.

3. Let’s Practice
Page 157 Ex. A #1-5

4. Rule 2: Ignore phrases lurking in the sentence
Sometimes a phrase that is hiding between the subject and verb can be confusing.
For example:
The Smith family dog, loved by neighbors, barks every evening until midnight.

5. Let’s review phrases, shall we?
A phrase is a group of related words that acts as one part of speech. Phrases do not have a subject or verb.
Prepositional phrases
Participial Phrases
Appositive Phrases
Gerund Phrases
Infinitive Phrases

6. Why is recognizing a phrase important?
…When a phrase is stuck between the subject and verb, the number of the subject does NOT change.
Ex: The success of our students is reflected in their performance after high school. (subject- success/ verb – is reflected)

7. Let’s Practice
Page 159 Ex. A #1-5

8. Rule 3: Compound Subjects
Contain two or more simple subjects.
Compound subjects can take either singular or plural verbs.
When the parts are joined by AND, the verb is plural
When the parts are joined by OR or NOR, the verb agrees with the closest part of the subject

9. For example… Joe and Bob are best friends.
Neither Joe nor Bob is a friend of mine. (Bob is closest and singular)
But…
Either cake or cookies are my favorite snack. (cookies is closest to verb, therefore plural)

10. Let’s Practice
Page 161 Part A #1-5

11. Homework Pg. 157 Part A #6-10 Pg. 159 Part A #6-10