Using Subject-Verb Agreement

1
Using Subject-Verb Agreement
What is subject-verb agreement?
Number Singular subjects Plural
subjects Intervening phrases and
clauses Indefinite pronouns Compound
subjects Solving special agreement
problems Review A Review B
2
What is subject-verb agreement?
All sentences have subjects and verbs.
Subject
Verb
The storm rages.
The storm rages.
The storm rages.
Subject
Verb
Two trees break.
Two trees break.
Two trees break.
Subject
Verb
A blue sky emerges.
A blue sky emerges.
A blue sky emerges.
3
What is subject-verb agreement? Subject
The subject tells whom or what a sentence is
about.
Subject
The eagle screeches.
The eagle screeches.
Subject
The spider and wasp threaten each other.
The spider and wasp threaten each other.
4
What is subject-verb agreement? Verb
A verb expresses an action or a state of being.
Verb
The tiger roars.
The tiger roars.
Action
Verb
State of being
The rainbow is beautiful.
The rainbow is beautiful.
5
What is subject-verb agreement? Number
Subjects and verbs agree in number to show that
they belong together.

• A word that refers to one thing is singular.

• A word that refers to more than one is plural.

taxi
Singular
puppy
she
Plural
taxis
puppies
they
6
What is subject-verb agreement? Singular
subjects
Singular subjects take singular verbs.
Singular subject
Singular verb
The horse gallops away.
The horse gallops away.
The horse gallops away.
Singular subject
Singular verb
He skates to the finish line.
He skates to the finish line.
He skates to the finish line.
7
What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects
Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Plural subject
Plural verb
The horses gallop away.
The horses gallop away.
The horses gallop away.
Plural subject
Plural verb
They skate to the goal.
They skate to the goal.
They skate to the goal.
8
What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects
Generally, nouns ending in -s are plural, but
verbs ending in -s are singular.
Grammar Guy Says...
NOUN
VERB
chicken
SINGULAR
clucks
chickens
cluck
PLURAL
9
What is subject-verb agreement? Plural subjects
In a verb phrase the first helping (auxiliary)
verb agrees with the subject.
Grammar Guy Says...
Singular subject
Singular helping verb
Verb phrase
She
is painting
the room.
She
is painting
Plural helping verb
Plural subject
They
They
are painting
are painting
the room.
10
What is subject-verb agreement?Intervening
phrases and clauses
group of words
Sometimes a group of words comes between the
subject and the verb.
Subject
Verb
Verb
The trees
in the park
provide shade.
provide shade.
The number of the subject is usually not
determined by a word in a phrase or clause
following the subject.
Subject
Verb
The trees
provide shade.
in the park
11
What is subject-verb agreement?Intervening
phrases and clauses
Subject
Verb
That basket of berries looks delicious.
That basket of berries looks delicious.
Looks agrees with basket, not berries.
Subject
Verb
Runners who compete in the race are amateurs.
Runners who compete in the race are amateurs.
Are agrees with runners, not race.
12
What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
1. The party snacks (looks, look) appetizing.
2. Two drafts of your final paper (is, are)
required.
3. The decorations that we ordered from the
catalog (has, have) finally arrived.
13
What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
1. The party snacks (looks, look) appetizing.
The subject is snacks. The plural verb look
agrees with the plural subject snacks.
14
What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
2. Two drafts of your final paper (is, are)
required.
The subject is drafts. The plural verb are agrees
with the plural subject drafts.
15
What is subject-verb agreement?
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
3. The decorations that we ordered from the
catalog (has, have) finally arrived.
The subject is decorations. The plural verb have
agrees with the plural subject decorations.
16
What is subject-verb agreement?
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the verb in parentheses.
• 1. The dogs in that yard (barks, bark) too much.
  
• 2. That box of old toys (is, are) for the garage
  sale.
• 3. The shoes that I wore in yesterdays game
  (needs, need) new laces.
• Audience members who arrive early for the
  performance (obtains, obtain) the best seats.
• 5. The painting of flowers (was, were) my
  favorite.

End of Section
17
What is subject-verb agreement?
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. The dogs in that yard (barks, bark) too much.
2. That box of old toys (is, are) for the garage
sale.
3. The shoes that I wore in yesterdays game
(needs, need) new laces.
4. Audience members who arrive early for the
performance (obtains, obtain) the best seats.
5. The painting of flowers (was, were) my
favorite.
18
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to a person or thing
whose exact identity is unknown.

• Some indefinite pronouns are singular.

• Some are plural.

• Some may be either singular or plural depending
  on how they are used.

19
Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns
The following indefinite pronouns are singular
Singular Indefinite Pronouns Singular Indefinite Pronouns Singular Indefinite Pronouns Singular Indefinite Pronouns
anybody either neither one
anyone everybody nobody somebody
anything everyone no one someone
each everything nothing something
Verb
Verb
Verb
Subject
Subject
Subject
Something was wrong with the bike.
Nobody was waiting for the bus.
Either of the two students is capable.
20
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
The words one, thing, and body are singular. So
are the indefinite pronouns that contain these
words.
Grammar Guy Says...
Has one left?
Has everyone left?
A thing is missing.
Something is missing.
His body seems thinner.
Everybody seems thinner.
21
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
The following indefinite pronouns are plural
Plural Indefinite Pronouns Plural Indefinite Pronouns Plural Indefinite Pronouns Plural Indefinite Pronouns
both few many several
Subject
Verb
Are many still in line?
Verb
Subject
Both are wearing glasses now.
Subject
Verb
Several of his pawns were captured.
22
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
The following indefinite pronouns may be singular
or plural, depending on how they are used
Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns
all more none
any most some
Verb
Subject
Singular when they refer to singular words.
Most of the pie was eaten.
Verb
Subject
Plural when they refer to plural words.
Most of the apples were eaten.
23
Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
1. None of the yellow paint (is, are) dry yet.
2. Many of the windows (was, were) hard to reach
without a ladder.
3. Neither of the children (likes, like) juice.
24
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
1. None of the yellow paint (is, are) dry yet.
None can be either singular or plural. In this
sentence none refers to the singular word paint,
so the singular is is the correct form of the
verb.
25
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
2. Many of the windows (was, were) hard to reach
without a ladder.
Many is a plural indefinite pronoun, so were is
the correct form of the verb.
26
Subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject.
Subject
3. Neither of the children (likes, like) juice.
Neither is a singular indefinite pronoun, so
likes is the correct form of the verb.
27
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the verb in parentheses.
• 1. Both of the performances (was, were) sold
  out.
• 2. All the leaves (has, have) changed color.
• 3. One of the library books (is, are) overdue.
• (Has, Have) anybody found a house key?
• 5. Neither (wants, want) to leave early.

End of Section
28
Subject-verb agreement andindefinite pronouns
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. Both of the performances (was, were) sold out.
2. All the leaves (has, have) changed color.
3. One of the library books (is, are) overdue.
4. (Has, Have) anybody found a house key?
5. Neither (wants, want) to leave early.
29
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
A compound subject is two or more subjects that
are joined by a coordinating conjunction and that
have the same verb.

• Subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs.

He
and
Carmen
enjoy skating.
Subject 1
Subject 2
Verb
Ohio,
and
Indiana,
are in the Midwest.
Illinois
Verb
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 3
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Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions
and but or nor
for yet so
A coordinating conjunction joins words or groups
of words that are used in the same way.
31
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects

• Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a
  singular verb.

Ayesha
or
Kathryn
drives a green car.
Singular
Singular
Verb
snow
nor
sleet
is usual this time of year.
Neither
Verb
Singular
Singular
32
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects

• Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural
  verb.

Squirrels
or
raccoons
eat the dogs food.
Verb
Plural
Plural
storms
nor
winds
damage this roof.
Neither
Verb
Plural
Plural
33
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects

• When a singular and a plural subject are joined
  by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer
  subject.

Verb
Plural
Singular
costumes
nor the
set
is ready.
Neither the
The verb is agrees with the nearer subject set.
Verb
Singular
Plural
Suzi
or her
cousins
repair bicycles.
The verb repair agrees with the nearer subject
cousins.
34
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
For each of the following sentences, choose the
form of the verb that agrees with the compound
subject.
1. Your mother and aunt (is, are) also invited.
2. Either Samuel or his brother (raises, raise)
pet rabbits.
3. The coach or the team cocaptains (comes, come)
onto the field first.
35
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
For each of the following sentences, choose the
form of the verb that agrees with the compound
subject.
1. Your mother and aunt (is, are) also invited.
Compound subjects joined by and take a plural
verb.
36
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
For each of the following sentences, choose the
form of the verb that agrees with the compound
subject.
2. Either Samuel or his brother (raises, raise)
pet rabbits.
Singular subjects joined by or take a singular
verb.
37
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
For each of the following sentences, choose the
form of the verb that agrees with the compound
subject.
3. The coach or the team cocaptains (comes, come)
onto the field first.
When a singular subject and a plural subject are
joined by or, the verb agrees with the nearer
subject.
38
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the
verb that agrees with the compound
subject. 1. Jimmy or Frank (has, have) borrowed
my bike. 2. Fruit and vegetables (is, are)
important for a healthy diet. 3. Neither noise
nor music (distracts, distract) me. 4. Christina
and her sisters (enjoys, enjoy) the beach. 5. A
crow or a blue jay (teases, tease) my cats.
End of Section
39
Subject-verb agreement andcompound subjects
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
verb that agrees with the compound subject.
1. Jimmy or Frank (has, have) borrowed my bike
2. Fruit and vegetables (is, are) important for a
healthy diet.
3. Neither noise nor music (distracts, distract)
me.
4. Christina and her sisters (enjoys, enjoy) the
beach.
5. A crow or a blue jay (teases, tease) my cats.
40
Solving special agreement problems Subjects
following verbs
In some sentences the subject comes after the
verb.
Subject
There
(was, were)
no messages for you.
no messages for you.
were
When the subject follows the verb . . .
1. Find the subject.
2. Make sure that the verb agrees with it.
41
Solving special agreement problems Subjects
following verbs
When the subject follows the verb, rearrange the
sentence in normal order to check for proper
subject-verb agreement.
Grammar Guy Says...
Here
(is, are)
a group of friends.
(is, are)
is
A group of friends
here.
A group of friends
42
Solving special agreement problems Subjects
following verbs
Subjects also appear after verbs in questions.
Compound subject
Sue and I sing our parts?
Sue and I sing our parts?
When
(does, do)
do
1. Find the subject.
2. Make sure that the verb agrees with it.
Remember that subjects joined by and usually take
plural verbs.
43
Solving special agreement problems Collective
nouns
A collective noun may be singular or plural,
depending on its meaning in the sentence.
Singular
Verb
Singular when it refers to the group as a unit
The herd was stranded by the flood.
Plural when it refers to parts of the group or to
individual members.
Verb
Plural
The herd were separated from each other by the
rising waters
44
Solving special agreement problemsCollective
nouns
The singular form of a collective noun refers to
a group.
Common Collective Nouns Common Collective Nouns Common Collective Nouns Common Collective Nouns
army club family squadron
assembly congregation group staff
audience fleet herd team
band flock number troop
45
Solving special agreement problems Expressions
of amount
An expression of amount may be singular or
plural, depending on how it is used.

• Singular when the amount is thought of as a unit.

Two thirds of the bread
was
eaten.

• Plural when it is thought of as separate parts.

Two thirds of the slices
were
eaten.
46
Solving special agreement problems Expressions
of amount
An expression of amount can be a measurement, a
percentage, or a fraction.
47
Solving special agreement problems Plural forms
Some nouns that are plural in form take singular
verbs.
Plural Forms That Take Singular Verbs Plural Forms That Take Singular Verbs Plural Forms That Take Singular Verbs
civics gymnastics molasses
economics linguistics mumps
electronics mathematics news
genetics measles physics
Verb
Verb
Subject
Subject
Gymnastics is a sport that requires balance.
The molasses in this cake tastes too strong.
48
Solving special agreement problems Plural forms
Many nouns ending in ics, such as athletics,
acoustics, ethics, politics, and tactics, may be
singular or plural, depending on how they are
used.
Grammar Guy Says...
Such nouns are generally singular when they refer
to a science, system, or skill.
Such nouns are plural when they refer to
qualities or individual items.
Political ethics is a subject that has been in
the news recently.
His ethics are rather questionable, to say the
least.
49
Solving special agreement problems Plural forms
Some nouns that refer to single items take plural
verbs.
binoculars pants shears
eyeglasses pliers slacks
Olympics scissors trousers
Verb
Subject
When were the Olympics last in Japan?
Verb
Subject
The scissors are not very sharp.
50
Solving special agreement problems Titles
Even when plural in form, titles of a creative
workbooks, songs, movies, or paintingsusually
take singular verbs.
Verb
Subject
St. Louis Blues was written by W. C. Handy.
Verb
Subject
As You Like It, one of Shakespeares comedies, is
being performed next weekend.
51
Solving special agreement problemsTitles
The names of countries, cities, and organizations
generally take singular verbs.
Grammar Guy Says...
The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000
islands.
Los Angeles is not the capital of California.
The League of Women Voters provides nonpartisan
information.
52
Solving special agreement problemsTitles
When the name of an organization refers to
individual members, however, it takes a plural
verb.
Grammar Guy Says...
Group as a unit
The Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded in 1899.
Verb
Members of the group
The Veterans of Foreign Wars were at the front of
the parade.
Verb
53
Solving special agreement problems
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answer.
1. Seventy-five percent of each dollar (goes, go)
to charity.
2. When (was, were) the League of Nations founded?
3. These slacks (is, are) too wrinkled to wear to
the dance.
54
Solving special agreement problems
Identify the subject of sentence. Then, choose
the form of the verb that agrees with that
subject. Be prepared to explain your answer.
Subject
1. Seventy-five percent of each dollar (goes, go)
to charity.
The subject, Seventy-five percent, is an
expression of amount. When an expression of
amount refers to a single unit, it takes a
singular verb form.
55
Solving special agreement problems
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answer.
Subject
2. When (was, were) the League of Nations founded?
The subject, League of Nations, refers to the
organization as a group. Therefore, the singular
verb form was is correct.
56
Solving special agreement problems
Identify the subject of each verb in
parentheses. Then, choose the form of the verb
that agrees with that subject. Be prepared to
explain your answer.
Subject
3. These slacks (is, are) too wrinkled to wear to
the dance.
The subject, slacks, refers to a single item but
takes a plural verb. Therefore, the plural verb
form are is correct.
57
Solving special agreement problems
On Your Own
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses. 1.
Where (is, are) the pliers? 2. Measles (was,
were) a common childhood illness. 3. Six weeks
(remains, remain) until the end of the school
year. 4. Send in the Clowns, by Stephen
Sondheim, (seems, seem) sad to me. 5. The
fleet (has, have) entered the harbor.
End of Section
58
Solving special agreement problems
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. Where (is, are) the pliers?
2. Measles (was, were) a common childhood disease.
3. Six weeks (remains, remain) until the end of
the school year.
4. Send in the Clowns, by Stephen Sondheim,
(seems, seem) sad to me.
5. The fleet (has, have) entered the harbor.
59
Solving special agreement problems Every
A subject preceded by every takes a singular verb.
Verb
Subject
Every dog in the neighborhood is barking.
Every
Verb
Subject
Every junior and senior was invited to the dance.
Every
Verb
Subject
Every
Every man, woman, and child needs clean air and
water.
60
Solving special agreement problems Dont and
doesnt
The contractions dont and doesnt should agree
with their subjects.
Dont is the contraction of do not. Use it with I
and you and with all plural subjects.
You
dont
know how to solve the problem.
I
We
They
The teachers
dont
have a meeting today.
the teachers
Dont
have a meeting today?
litter!
Dont
(You is the understood subject.)
61
Solving special agreement problems Dont and
doesnt
Doesnt is the contraction of does not. Use it
with all singular subjects except I and you.
Singular Singular Plural Plural
I dont we dont
you dont you dont
they dont
he/she/it doesnt
62
Solving special agreement problems Subjects and
predicate nominatives
A verb always agrees with the subject, but not
necessarily with the predicate nominative.
Plural subject
?
Singular predicate nominative
are
Quick reflexes
one requirement for this job.
(is, are)
Are agrees with the plural subject reflexes, not
with the singular predicate nominative
requirement.
Singular subject
Plural predicate nominative
?
One requirement for this job
quick reflexes.
(is, are)
is
Is agrees with requirement, not with reflexes.
63
Solving special agreement problems Predicate
nominative
A predicate nominative is a word or word group
that is in the predicate and that identifies the
subject or refers to it.
The predicate nominative completes the meaning of
a linking verb.
My older brother
is
John.
Predicate nominative
Subject
linking verb
my younger brothers.
James and Jerry
are
Predicate nominative
Subject
64
Solving special agreement problems Relative
pronouns
When the relative pronoun that, which, or who is
the subject of an adjective clause, the verb in
the clause agrees with the noun to which the
relative pronoun refers.
Verb
adjective clause
Subject
Subject
Verb
Enrique
, who was born in Puerto Rico,
goes to the same school as my sister.
goes to the same school as my sister.

1. The relative pronoun who refers to Enrique.
2. Enrique is a singular noun and takes a singular
   verb, goes.
3. Who, the subject of the adjective clause, takes
   the singular verb was.

65
Solving special agreement problems Adjective
clause
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that
modifies a noun or a pronoun.

• An adjective clause
• has a relative pronoun for its subject (who,
  whom, which, that, whose)
• has a verb
• follows the word or words it modifies
• tells what kind or which one

The owl
is awake all night.
that lives in the barn
that
lives
This adjective clause modifies the noun owl.
66
Solving special agreement problems
For each of the following sentences, provide
the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. (Dont, Doesnt) you need to catch the bus?
2. The performances by Sue and Lin (was, were)
the highlight of the evening.
3. My aunts, who (lives, live) in Chicago, are
coming for a visit.
67
Solving special agreement problems
For each of the following sentences, provide
the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. (Dont, Doesnt) you need to catch the bus?
Use dont with the subject you.
68
Solving special agreement problems
For each of the following sentences, provide
the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
2. The performances by Sue and Lin (was, were)
the highlight of the evening.
Were agrees with the plural subject performances,
not the singular predicate nominative highlight.

69
Solving special agreement problems
For each of the following sentences, provide
the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
3. My aunts, who (lives, live) in Chicago, are
coming for a visit.
When the relative pronoun who is the subject of
an adjective clause, the verb in the adjective
clause agrees with the noun to which the clause
refers. In this sentence who refers to the plural
subject aunts, so the plural form of the verb is
correct.
70
Solving special agreement problems
On Your Own

• For each of the following sentences, choose the
  correct form of the verb in parentheses.
• 1. Every window and door (needs, need) to be
  replaced.
• 2. This book, which (was, were) on one of the
  shelves at the library, is rare.
• 3. Her house (dont, doesnt) have a fireplace.
• The main attraction at the museum (is, are) the
  fossils.
• 5. The man who (owns, own) the building drives a
  blue car.

End of Section
71
Solving special agreement problems
Answers
For each of the following sentences, choose the
correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. Every window and door (needs, need) to be
replaced.
2. This book, which (was, were) on one of the
shelves at the library, is rare.
3. Her house (dont, doesnt) have a fireplace.
4. The main attraction at the museum (is, are)
the fossils.
5. The man who (owns, own) the building drives a
blue car.
72
Review A
Provide the correct form of the verb in
parentheses.

1. The flock ________ in a V-shaped formation. (fly)

1. Neither Drama nor Band ________ rehearsal after
   school today. (have)

1. The children who ________ in the park every day
   live in the neighborhood. (play)

1. Most of the liquid __________ when heated.
   (evaporate)

5. ________ we have to finish this assignment
today? (do)
73
Review A
Provide the correct form of the verb in
parentheses.

1. The flock ________ in a V-shaped formation. (fly)

flies
has

1. Neither Drama nor Band ________ rehearsal after
   school today. (have)

play

1. The children who ________ in the park every day
   live in the neighborhood. (play)

1. Most of the liquid __________ when heated.
   (evaporate)

evaporates
Do
5. ________ we have to finish this assignment
today? (do)
74
Review B
For each of the following sentences, if the
subject and verb do not agree, write the correct
form of the verb. If the verb already agrees with
the subject, write C.

1. None of the sports equipment are missing.

1. He and his friends dont like that kind of music.

1. Do anyone want a glass of juice?

1. News travel quickly in the hallways of the school.

5. The box of carving tools were in the basement.
End of Section
75
Review B
For each of the following sentences, if the
subject and verb do not agree, write the correct
form of the verb. If the verb already agrees with
the subject, write C.

1. None of the sports equipment is missing.

1. He and his friends dont like that kind of music.
   C

1. Does anyone want a glass of juice?

1. News travels quickly in the hallways of the
   school.

5. The box of carving tools was in the basement.
76
The End