Subject Verb Agreement

1
Subject Verb Agreement

• Common mistakes Mistaking the object in a
  prepositional phrase for the simple subject of a
  sentence. Example
• The paper in those boxes are for the copy
  machine. (boxes is not the subject, paper is the
  subject- the correct verb would be is)

2
Mistake 2 Intervening Phrases

• When a singular subject is linked to another noun
  by a phrase, it is still singular. Example
• Fried rice, along with wonton soup, makes a
  delicious meal. (notice, fried rice and makes are
  both still singular)

3
Mistake 3 Intervening Clauses

• Clauses give info about the subject but dont
  change its number. Example
• The rivers that border Mesopotamia are the Tigris
  and the Euphrates. (that border Mesopotamia is
  an adjective clause, therefore, Mesopotamia is
  not the subject)
• Mesopotamia is singular
• Rivers is plural and demands a plural verb, like
  are

4
For Practice Write the simple subject and the
corrected verb for each incorrect sentence.

• The pages of the book is decorated with drawings.
• The wallaby, together with the kangaroo, are
  native to Australia.
• The mountains in New Mexico spans the state from
  the north to the south.
• The junction of the Mississippi and Missouri
  Rivers lie just north of St.Louis.

5
Compound Subjects

• Compound subjects joined by and or bothand are
  usually plural unless the parts belong to only
  one unit or unless both parts refer to the same
  person or thing. Example
• Plural Mrs. Berger and Mrs. Green love teaching
  high school students to write.
• Singular Biscuits and gravy is a high
  cholesterol breakfast.

6
Every rule has an exception When Joined by Or,
Nor, Eitheror Neithernor, the Verb Agrees in
Number With the Subject Closest to It.

• Raisins or an apple makes a good snack.(apple and
  makes singular)
• Neither Kara nor her friends like winter.(friends
  and like plural)

7
For Practice Write Both Subject Parts of Each
Sentence. Then Write the Correct Verb Choice.

• Either the five boys or she (gets, get) to use
  the dressing room first.
• My brother and friend (is, are) Steven.
• Neither Stella nor the Wilsons (appears, appear)
  to be having a very good time.

8
Agreement with Special Subjects

• Collective Nouns (Chorus)
• Special Nouns That End In S (Molasses)
• Many a, Every, Each
• Nouns of Amount
• Proper NounsTitles, Countries, and Cities

9
Collective Nouns name groups of persons or
things.

• Rule When a collective noun refers to a group as
  a whole, it requires a singular verb (add -s or
  -es) When a collective noun refers to each member
  of a group individually, it requires a plural
  verb. Example
• Singular The chorus sings beautifully.
• Plural The chorus have separate parts to learn.

10
Special Nouns that end in S

• Some are always singular Molasses, news,
  mathematics, etc.
• Some are plural Scissors, pants, glasses,etc.
• Some depend on how they are used mumps, measles,
  ethics, politics, etc.

11
More Special Subjects Many A, Every, Each

• When many a, every, or each come before a
  subject, simple or compound, the subject is
  always singular. Example
• Every restaurant and diner serves soup.

12
Nouns of Amount