Subject and Verb Subject and Verb AgreementAgreement

Agreement in NumberAgreement in Number

Singular subjects take singular verbs.Singular subjects take singular verbs.– The dog The dog eatseats grass when his stomach grass when his stomach

hurts.hurts. Plural subjects take plural verbs.Plural subjects take plural verbs.

– My sisters My sisters looklook at old family albums. at old family albums. When dealing with verb phrases, the When dealing with verb phrases, the

11stst helping verb must agree with the helping verb must agree with the subject.subject.– Kendall Kendall isis studying for her test. studying for her test.

Doesn’t or Don’tDoesn’t or Don’t

Remember when dealing with Remember when dealing with contractions, not is NOT a verb; not is contractions, not is NOT a verb; not is ALWAYS an adverb. ALWAYS an adverb.

The verb must agree with the subject.The verb must agree with the subject. Does is singular.Does is singular. Do is plural. (The only exceptions are Do is plural. (The only exceptions are

when dealing with the pronouns “I” when dealing with the pronouns “I” and “You”)and “You”)

Compound SubjectsCompound Subjects

A compound subject is a subject A compound subject is a subject made up of two or more subjects made up of two or more subjects joined together by a coordinating joined together by a coordinating conjunction.conjunction.

Coordinating conjunctions (fanboys)Coordinating conjunctions (fanboys)

Subjects joined with ANDSubjects joined with AND

Typically take a plural verbTypically take a plural verb– Bob and Will Bob and Will are playingare playing basketball basketball

after school today.after school today. A subject containing AND may refer A subject containing AND may refer

to a single thing. In this case, use a to a single thing. In this case, use a singular verb.singular verb.– Macaroni and cheese Macaroni and cheese isis my daughter’s my daughter’s

favorite food.favorite food.

Subject joined with OR or Subject joined with OR or NORNOR

In this instance, the verb should In this instance, the verb should agree with the subject that is closest agree with the subject that is closest to it.to it.– Either ticket stubs or a photo Either ticket stubs or a photo

completescompletes your collage. your collage.– Either a photo or ticket stubs Either a photo or ticket stubs complete complete

your collage.your collage.

Subjects in Unusual PlacesSubjects in Unusual Places

Type of SentenceType of Sentence ExampleExampleQuestion-the verb is typically Question-the verb is typically the first word in the sentence. the first word in the sentence. Turn it into a statement.Turn it into a statement.

(Is, Are) you going to the (Is, Are) you going to the dance?dance?

(You (You areare going to the dance.) going to the dance.)

Begins with “here” or “there”Begins with “here” or “there”

Rephrase the sentenceRephrase the sentenceHere is an on-air announcer Here is an on-air announcer with an enjoyable play list.with an enjoyable play list.

(An on-air announcer with an (An on-air announcer with an enjoyable play list is here.)enjoyable play list is here.)

Sentences beginning with Sentences beginning with adverb, adjective, or phrase adverb, adjective, or phrase (rephrase the sentence)(rephrase the sentence)

Among the greatest sport Among the greatest sport stars is Chipper Jones. stars is Chipper Jones. (Chipper Jones is among the (Chipper Jones is among the greatest sport stars.)greatest sport stars.)

Predicate NounsPredicate Nouns

The verb should agree with the The verb should agree with the SUBJECT-not the PREDICATE NOUNSUBJECT-not the PREDICATE NOUN– Susan’s rude comments were the topic Susan’s rude comments were the topic

of conversation.of conversation.– Susan’s rude comments was the topic of Susan’s rude comments was the topic of

conversation.conversation.

Prepositional PhrasesPrepositional Phrases

Remember-SUBJECTS and VERBS are Remember-SUBJECTS and VERBS are never in prepositional phrasesnever in prepositional phrases

Read the sentence without the Read the sentence without the phrase(s) and then identify your phrase(s) and then identify your subjectsubject– The texture of the sweater’s cloth The texture of the sweater’s cloth

(irritate, irritates) the skin.(irritate, irritates) the skin.

Indefinite Pronouns as Indefinite Pronouns as SubjectsSubjects

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a specific person, place, does not refer to a specific person, place, thing, or ideathing, or idea

SingularSingular PluralPlural Singular or Singular or PluralPlural

Another Everybody Another Everybody NothingNothing

Anybody Everyone OneAnybody Everyone One

Anyone Everything Anyone Everything SomebodySomebody

Anything Neither Anything Neither NobodyNobody

Each Someone Each Someone SomethingSomething

Either No oneEither No one

BothBoth

FewFew

ManyMany

SeveralSeveral

All All

AnyAny

MostMost

NoneNone

SomeSome

Indefinites ContinuedIndefinites Continued

Singular indefinite pronouns take Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs…plural take plural verbssingular verbs…plural take plural verbs– Someone left me a gift.Someone left me a gift.– Anybody can be a good friend.Anybody can be a good friend.

For ALL, MANY, MOST, NONE, and For ALL, MANY, MOST, NONE, and SOME-see what noun it refers to…if SOME-see what noun it refers to…if plural-use a plural verb; if singular-use plural-use a plural verb; if singular-use a singular verba singular verb– All of the flowers grew tall.All of the flowers grew tall.– All of my homework is done.All of my homework is done.

Collective NounsCollective Nouns

Collective nouns name groups of people or Collective nouns name groups of people or things.things.– crew, team, group, herdcrew, team, group, herd

When used to refer to the group-use a When used to refer to the group-use a singular verb.singular verb.– The choir works hard. (acts as a cohesive The choir works hard. (acts as a cohesive

group)group) When used to refer to people or things When used to refer to people or things

acting individually, use a plural verb.acting individually, use a plural verb.– The choir disagree about the song. (each The choir disagree about the song. (each

member acts for him/herself) member acts for him/herself)

Singular Nouns Ending in -SSingular Nouns Ending in -S

Some nouns end in –s but are singularSome nouns end in –s but are singular– Measles is a horrible illness.Measles is a horrible illness.– The news travels fast, especially when it is bad The news travels fast, especially when it is bad

news.news.Measles Mathematics Measles Mathematics LinguisticsLinguistics

Politics News Politics News MechanicsMechanics

Genetics Forensics CivicsGenetics Forensics Civics

Ceramics Molasses Ceramics Molasses MumpsMumps

Pediatrics EconomicsPediatrics Economics

TitlesTitles

Titles of art, literature, and music are Titles of art, literature, and music are singular and require singular verbssingular and require singular verbs

– IrisesIrises is my favorite painting. is my favorite painting.– Confessions of a ShopaholicConfessions of a Shopaholic requires a requires a

sense of humor to understand.sense of humor to understand.

Amounts and TimeAmounts and Time

Words/Phrases that express weights, Words/Phrases that express weights, measures, numbers, and lengths of measures, numbers, and lengths of time often take singular verbs.time often take singular verbs.– Four years seems like a long time when Four years seems like a long time when

obtaining a college degree.obtaining a college degree.– Two cups of sugar is required for this Two cups of sugar is required for this

recipe.recipe.