Download Subject Verb Agreement

Subject Verb Agreement
totally not boring
The rule
 A singular
subject must have a
singular verb; a plural subject
must have a plural verb.
But what’s a subject?





In a sentence, every verb must have a
subject.
If the verb expresses action—like sneeze,
jump, bark, or study—the subject is who or
what does the verb.
The speeding car crashed into a telephone
pole.
During his biology lab, Tommy danced on the
table.
Ron's bathroom is a disaster.
What’re the subjects and verbs?
The big, hungry, tentacled Martian
devoured a student from the back row.
 The bright copper coin sparkled on the
sidewalk.
 My dog, along with her seven puppies, has
chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa
cushions.

Prepositional phrases are not
subjects







The subject of a verb will never be part of a
prepositional phrase.
A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition
[in, on, at, between, among, etc.] and ends with
a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
on the bumpy road
at home
between us
among the empty pizza boxes
without crying
What’s the subject?
A group of students were studying for the
test.
 The team of cheerleaders work really hard
in the summer.

Modifying phrases and clauses
Any modifying phrase or clause that
comes between the subject and the verb
must be ignored when determining
subject/verb agreement.
 The football player, in addition to the rest
of the team, were awarded a trophy.
 The mayor, together with his two brothers,
are going to be indicted for accepting
bribes.

Either/Or – Neither/Nor




When subjects in a sentence are linked by
"either/or" or "neither/nor," the subject that is
closer to the verb will determine the number of
the verb.
Either the dogs or the cat has knocked over the
vase.
Either the cat or the dogs have knocked over
the vase.
Neither my brothers nor my sister _____ coming
to the show. (is or are?)
Remember!
REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY,
ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER,
NOBODY, SOMEONE, NONE, etc. are
singular and take singular verbs.
 Not one of the students ________ a
calculator! (has or have?)
 Anyone _____ allowed to play. (is or are?)

SuperPowerUp Bonus!
2 errors each! Find!!!
In an interview with Matt Lauer, Britney
Spears explained that neither the tabloids
nor motherhood have taken their toll on
her good spirits.
 The International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Employees, who are in a salary
dispute with the owners of the LA Forum,
are planning to picket Madonna's concert
in Los Angeles this weekend.
