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DANIEL PRESTON
JULY 15, 2010
Subject Verb Agreement


As we’ve discussed before, a sentence is
made up of a subject (the thing performing an
action) and a verb (the action performed).
In the present tense, verbs agree with their
subjects in number (singular/plural) and in
person (first/second/third).
SINGULAR



First : I am/was
Second:
you
are/were
Third: he/she was
PLURAL



First : we are/were
Second:
you
are/were
Third: they
are/were

Make a verb agree with its subject, not words
in between.

The samples on the tray in the lab need
testing.


The samples on the tray in the lab need testing.
High levels of air pollution cause damage to the
respiratory tract.

High levels of air pollution cause damage to the
respiratory tract.

The slaughter of pandas for their pelts has
caused the panda population to decline.

The slaughter of pandas for their pelts has caused
the panda population to decline.

Leon and Jan jogs together



Leon and Jan jog together.
A subject with two or more parts joined with and is
treated as plural.
Each tree, shrub, and vine need to be sprayed.


Each tree, shrub, and vine needs to be sprayed.
Each and Every make compound subjects singular

Everybody who signed up for the
snowboarding trip were taking lessons
Everybody who signed up for the snowboarding trip
was taking lessons
 Treat most indefinite pronouns as singular.


A tent and sleeping bag is the required
equipment for all campers

A tent and sleeping bag are the required equipment
for all campers

A major force in today’s economy are women –
as earners, consumers, and investors.

A major force in today’s economy is women – as
earners, consumers, and investors.