1. Subject Verb Agreement totally not boring

2. The rule A singular subject must have a singular verb; a plural subject must have a plural verb. A singular subject must have a singular verb; a plural subject must have a plural verb.

3. But what’s a subject? In a sentence, every verb must have a subject. In a sentence, every verb must have a subject. If the verb expresses action—like sneeze, jump, bark, or study—the subject is who or what does the verb. If the verb expresses action—like sneeze, jump, bark, or study—the subject is who or what does the verb. The speeding car crashed into a telephone pole. The speeding car crashed into a telephone pole. During his biology lab, Tommy danced on the table. During his biology lab, Tommy danced on the table. Ron's bathroom is a disaster. Ron's bathroom is a disaster.

4. What’re the subjects and verbs? The big, hungry, tentacled Martian devoured a student from the back row. The big, hungry, tentacled Martian devoured a student from the back row. The bright copper coin sparkled on the sidewalk. The bright copper coin sparkled on the sidewalk. My dog, along with her seven puppies, has chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa cushions. My dog, along with her seven puppies, has chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa cushions.

5. Prepositional phrases are not subjects The subject of a verb will never be part of a prepositional phrase. The subject of a verb will never be part of a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition [in, on, at, between, among, etc.] and ends with a noun, pronoun, or gerund. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition [in, on, at, between, among, etc.] and ends with a noun, pronoun, or gerund. on the bumpy road on the bumpy road at home at home between us between us among the empty pizza boxes among the empty pizza boxes without crying without crying

6. What’s the subject? A group of students were studying for the test. A group of students were studying for the test. The team of cheerleaders work really hard in the summer. The team of cheerleaders work really hard in the summer.

7. Modifying phrases and clauses Any modifying phrase or clause that comes between the subject and the verb must be ignored when determining subject/verb agreement. Any modifying phrase or clause that comes between the subject and the verb must be ignored when determining subject/verb agreement. The football player, in addition to the rest of the team, were awarded a trophy. The football player, in addition to the rest of the team, were awarded a trophy. The mayor, together with his two brothers, are going to be indicted for accepting bribes. The mayor, together with his two brothers, are going to be indicted for accepting bribes.

8. Either/Or – Neither/Nor When subjects in a sentence are linked by "either/or" or "neither/nor," the subject that is closer to the verb will determine the number of the verb. When subjects in a sentence are linked by "either/or" or "neither/nor," the subject that is closer to the verb will determine the number of the verb. Either the dogs or the cat has knocked over the vase. Either the dogs or the cat has knocked over the vase. Either the cat or the dogs have knocked over the vase. Either the cat or the dogs have knocked over the vase. Neither my brothers nor my sister _____ coming to the show. (is or are?) Neither my brothers nor my sister _____ coming to the show. (is or are?)

9. Remember! REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY, ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, NONE, etc. are singular and take singular verbs. REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY, ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, NONE, etc. are singular and take singular verbs. Not one of the students ________ a calculator! (has or have?) Not one of the students ________ a calculator! (has or have?) Anyone _____ allowed to play. (is or are?) Anyone _____ allowed to play. (is or are?)

10. SuperPowerUp Bonus! 2 errors each! Find!!! In an interview with Matt Lauer, Britney Spears explained that neither the tabloids nor motherhood have taken their toll on her good spirits. In an interview with Matt Lauer, Britney Spears explained that neither the tabloids nor motherhood have taken their toll on her good spirits. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, who are in a salary dispute with the owners of the LA Forum, are planning to picket Madonna's concert in Los Angeles this weekend. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, who are in a salary dispute with the owners of the LA Forum, are planning to picket Madonna's concert in Los Angeles this weekend.