1. Subject-Verb Agreement
Language Network
Subject-Verb
Agreement

2. Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number
Here’s the Idea
Singular and Plural Subjects
Verb Phrases
Doesn’t and Don’t
Why It Matters
Practice and Apply

3. A verb must agree with its subject in number.
Here’s the Idea
A verb must agree with its subject in number.
Number refers to whether a word is singular or plural.

4. Singular subjects take singular verbs.
Here’s the Idea
Singular subjects take singular verbs.
AGREES
The new museum displays works by local artists.
SINGULAR SUBJECT
SINGULAR VERB

5. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Here’s the Idea
Plural subjects take plural verbs.
AGREES
Chicago’s art museums display priceless paintings.
PLURAL SUBJECT
PLURAL VERB

6. Most nouns that end in s or es are plural.
Here’s the Idea
Most nouns that end in s or es are plural.
Most verbs that end in s are singular.

7. A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.
Here’s the Idea
In a verb phrase, it is the first helping verb that agrees with the subject.
A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.
AGREES
Theresa has collected ceramic figurines.
SINGULAR HELPING VERB

8. Friends have admired her interesting collection.
Here’s the Idea
AGREES
Friends have admired her interesting collection.
PLURAL HELPING VERB

9. Samuel doesn’t use computer clip art.
Here’s the Idea
Two common contractions are doesn’t and don’t. Use doesn’t with all singular subjects except I and you.
AGREES
Samuel doesn’t use computer clip art.
SINGULAR VERB

10. Use don’t with all plural subjects and with the pronouns I and you.
Here’s the Idea
Use don’t with all plural subjects and with the pronouns I and you.
We don’t like computer clip art.
PLURAL VERB
AGREES
I don’t like these pictures.
WITH PRONOUN I

11. Errors in subject-verb agreement can occur when you revise your work.
Why It Matters
Errors in subject-verb agreement can occur when you revise your work.
If you change a subject from singular to plural or vice versa, be sure to change the verb as well.

12. Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
The weavers makes brightly colored designs. 1.

13. Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
Kente weavers creates complex designs with bright colors. 2.

14. Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
The designs doesn’t just provide visual pleasure. 3.

15. Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.
The Ashanti people wears kente cloth for special holidays. 4.

16. Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement Problems in Sentences
Here’s the Idea
Subjects in Unusual Positions
Predicate Nouns
Prepositional Phrases
Why It Matters
Practice and Apply

17. Some sentences can be tricky. Watch out for:
Here’s the Idea
Some sentences can be tricky. Watch out for:
sentences with subjects in unusual positions
sentences containing predicate nouns
sentences in which prepositional phrases separate subjects and verbs

18. A subject can follow a verb or part of a verb phrase in
Here’s the Idea
A subject can follow a verb or part of a verb phrase in
• a sentence beginning with here or there
• a question
• a sentence in which an adjective, an adverb, or a phrase is placed first

19. Subjects in Unusual Positions
Here’s the Idea
Subjects in Unusual Positions
Type of Sentence Example
Question Does this music video have good graphics?
Sentence beginning Here is a DJ with an with here or there enjoyable play list.
Sentence beginning Around the nation is with adverb, heard the sound. adjective, or phrase

20. Here’s How Choosing a correct verb form
Here’s the Idea
Here’s How Choosing a correct verb form
• Rephrase the sentence so that the subject comes before the verb.
• Determine whether the subject is singular or plural.
• Choose the verb form that agrees with the subject.
• Add the correct verb to the original sentence.

21. Nechita’s works have been a topic of magazine articles.
Here’s the Idea
In a sentence containing a predicate noun, the verb should agree with the subject, not the predicate noun.
AGREES
Nechita’s works have been a topic of magazine articles.

22. The subject of a verb is never found in a prepositional phrase.
Here’s the Idea
The subject of a verb is never found in a prepositional phrase.
AGREES
The colors of a batik garment indicate where it came from.

23. When you do this, make sure that the verbs agree with their subjects.
Why It Matters
Writers sometimes place verbs before subjects to make their writing more interesting.
When you do this, make sure that the verbs agree with their subjects.

24. Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
Does your classmates collect posters? 5.

25. Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
The bright colors in the poster catches my eye. 6.

26. Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
One of the best poster artists were Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. 7.

27. Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.
Has you ever seen Toulouse-Lautrec’s posters? 8.