Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
Master the rules of subject-verb agreement for singular and plural subjects, irregular verbs like be, have, and do, and compound subjects. Learn how to match singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs, and understand verb forms for different scenarios. Explore examples and tips to enhance your language skills effortlessly.
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Singular Agreement A singular verb must accompany a singular subject. For example: A classic 1950s Chevrolet in pristine condition sells for top dollar.
Plural Agreement A plural verb must accompany a plural subject. For example: Classic cars provide drivers with immense pleasure.
Review Most singular verbs in the third person are formed by adding s to the root verb (or es in some instances) Eats Hears Speaks Does Most plural verbs are formed with no letter added at their ends. Eat Hear Speak Do
Compound Subjects If the parts of a compound subject are connected by and, the sentence needs a plural verb. For example: The pastry chef and her assistant bake cakes beginning at 4:00 A.M.
Compound Subjects When the parts of a compound subject are connected by or, the verb agrees with the part of the subject that is closer to it. For example: The bakers or the assistant bakes only German chocolate cakes every Thursday.
The Verbs Be, Have, and Do These verbs are irregular in the present tense. Therefore, you need to memorize their forms to avoid problems with them.
The Verb Be Here are some examples of the verb be. I am the owner of two cats. He is the owner of a dog. They are the owners of cats and dogs.
The Verb Have Here are some examples of the verb have. We have no children. She has only one daughter. They have two sons and three daughters.
The Verb Do Here are some examples of the verb do. He does the multiplication problems. They do the division problems. I do the addition and subtraction problems.
Words between Subject and Verb Overlook any words (a prepositional phrase, for example) between a subject and a verb. Instead, focus only on the subject to determine the verb form. For example: The cathedrals in Germany are impressive, but the ones in France are even more impressive.
Frequently Used Collective Nouns army band class club committee company congregation family gang government group jury team union
Collective Nouns (Singular) If all members of the collective noun are acting as one unit, then it is singular and needs a singular verb. For example: The jury reaches its verdict unanimously. In this instance, all twelve members of the jury act as one unit to reach the same verdict.
Collective Nouns (Plural) If all members of the collective noun are acting individually, then it is plural and needs a plural verb. For example: The congregation leave church at different times: some after communion, some at the end of the service, and some at least an hour after the service so that they can socialize. In this instance, members of the congregation act individually. Some leave at one time, but others leave at other times.
Common Indefinite Pronouns These indefinite pronouns are singular and therefore require singular verbs: anybody anyone everybody everyone somebody someone
Indefinite Pronouns in Action If anybody submits entry forms at least two weeks before the deadline, he or she is eligible for the grand prize a Caribbean cruise.
Everyone Everyone enjoys a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
Somebody According to the librarian, somebody needs the books about the Eiffel Tower before the end of the day.
Verbs before Subjects A verb always agrees with its subject even if the verb comes before the subject, as in a question. For example: Where is the nearest grocery store? Mrs. Miller, are you shopping for groceries today or tomorrow? asks the neighbor.
Inverted Order When normal word order is inverted and the subject follows the verb, the subject and verb must agree. Standing at the door with grins on their faces were the cheerleaders.
There Is and There Are The word there does not function as a subject. If a sentence begins with this word, search for the subject after the form of the verb be. Make certain that the subject and verb agree. For example: At the party, there is one guest from Brazil. There are several guests from Japan.
Practice Exercises Each one of you is going to read the sentence on each practice slide and select CORRECT or INCORRECT depending on the Subject-Verb agreement. Hint: Find the subject and the verb and see if they agree (Use a singular verb form for a singular subject & a plural verb form for a plural subject)
Practice Exercises Incorrect Movies in today s market makes a great deal of money. 23
Practice Exercises Revised Movies in today s market make a great deal of money. 24
Practice Exercises Incorrect The American audiences pays for tickets at the theater and for cable at home. 25
Practice Exercises Revised The American audiences pay for tickets at the theater and for cable at home. 26
Practice Exercises Correct The international market, which includes dozens of countries, produces even more profit. 27
Practice Exercises Incorrect Films are very expensive to manufacture, so American studios creates far more films than other countries. 28
Practice Exercises Revised Films are very expensive to manufacture, so American studios create far more films than other countries. 29
Practice Exercises Incorrect There is many advantages to seeing a movie in the theater rather than watching a video at home. 30
Practice Exercises Revised There are many advantages to seeing a movie in the theater rather than watching a video at home. 31
Practice Exercises Correct The dark theater and the enormous screen take the movie viewer to another world. 32
Practice Exercises Incorrect The background music in movies play an important role. 33
Practice Exercises Revised The background music in movies plays an important role. 34
Practice Exercises Correct The music creates a mood and gives a signal of something to come. 35
Practice Exercises Incorrect Not everyone in the entertainment fields agree about the quality of movies. 36
Practice Exercises Revised Not everyone in the entertainment field agrees about the quality of movies. 37
Practice Exercises Incorrect Neither the use of subtitles nor black and white photography demonstrate the preferences of most Americans. 38
Practice Exercises Revised Neither the use of subtitles nor black and white photography demonstrates the preferences of most Americans. 39
Any Questions? 40
