Subject-Verb Subject-Verb AgreementAgreement

Subject-Verb Subject-Verb AgreementAgreement

What is Subject-Verb What is Subject-Verb Agreement?Agreement?

Subject-verb agreementSubject-verb agreement means your means your subject and verb must match, or subject and verb must match, or agree, in number.agree, in number. If you have a singular subject, you must If you have a singular subject, you must

use a singular verb.use a singular verb. The baby The baby criescries when she is hungry. when she is hungry.

If you have a plural subject, you must use If you have a plural subject, you must use a plural verb.a plural verb. Babies Babies crycry when they are hungry. when they are hungry.

Subject-Verb Subject-Verb AgreementAgreement

It is important to remember how It is important to remember how singular and plural verbs are singular and plural verbs are formedformed

The singular form ends in an – s or esThe singular form ends in an – s or es The mechanic The mechanic fixesfixes cars. cars.

The plural form does The plural form does notnot end in an – s end in an – s The mechanics The mechanics fixfix cars. cars.

Rules governing Subject-Rules governing Subject-Verb AgreeemntVerb Agreeemnt

Linking verbs must agree with the subject, not Linking verbs must agree with the subject, not with the word or phrase that describes the subject.with the word or phrase that describes the subject.

Incorrect: The worst Incorrect: The worst threatthreat to your pet’s health to your pet’s health are are ticks ticks

Correct: The worst Correct: The worst threatthreat to your pet’s health to your pet’s health isis ticks.ticks.

The noun “The noun “threat” threat” is the subject and is singular, so the is the subject and is singular, so the verb “is”verb “is”

must be used to agree with it. must be used to agree with it.

Rules governing S-V Rules governing S-V AgreementAgreement

Rules governing S-V Rules governing S-V AgreementAgreement

An exception to the intervening An exception to the intervening phrase rule occurs when the subject phrase rule occurs when the subject is one of these five pronouns: some, is one of these five pronouns: some, many, all , none, most.many, all , none, most.

In these cases, you must consider In these cases, you must consider the words in the phrase to help you the words in the phrase to help you choose the right verb.choose the right verb.

Incorrect: Most of the money are gone.Incorrect: Most of the money are gone. Correct: Most of the money is gone.Correct: Most of the money is gone. Incorrect: All of the puppies is hungry.Incorrect: All of the puppies is hungry. Incorrect: All of the puppies are hungry.Incorrect: All of the puppies are hungry.

Rules governing S-V Rules governing S-V AgreementAgreement

Remember that pronouns such as Remember that pronouns such as “everybody” “everyone” are “everybody” “everyone” are singular even though they seem to singular even though they seem to refer to more than one person.refer to more than one person.

Incorrect: Everybody in our class Incorrect: Everybody in our class areare going to the prom.going to the prom.

Correct: Everybody in our class Correct: Everybody in our class isis going to the prom.going to the prom.

Rules governing S-V Rules governing S-V AgreementAgreement

If joined by If joined by oror / /nornor, the subjects are , the subjects are notnot combined. The verb must agree with combined. The verb must agree with whichever subject is closest to it.whichever subject is closest to it.

Either the roof or the windows Either the roof or the windows areare leaking. leaking.

Either the windows or the roof Either the windows or the roof is leakingis leaking..

Rules governing Rules governing subject-verb subject-verb agreementagreement

Sentences that ask a question.Sentences that ask a question. Has the storm passed ?Has the storm passed ?

Turn the sentence into a statement.Turn the sentence into a statement. The storm has passed.The storm has passed.

Sentences that begin with Sentences that begin with HereHere or or ThereThere.. Here is your paycheck.Here is your paycheck. There were three more puzzles completed by There were three more puzzles completed by

this class.this class.To ascertain the correct verb form, turn the sentence To ascertain the correct verb form, turn the sentence

around.around. Your paycheck Your paycheck is is here.here. Three more Three more puzzlespuzzles were completed bywere completed by this class. this class.

Rules governing S-V Rules governing S-V AgreementAgreement

Collective nouns are a special Collective nouns are a special considerationconsideration

Most collective nouns refer to a group Most collective nouns refer to a group acting as one unit; therefore, they are acting as one unit; therefore, they are treated as singular and must have a treated as singular and must have a singular verb.singular verb. The The familyfamily ridesrides bikes together each day. bikes together each day. The The teamteam practicespractices every Saturday. every Saturday.