Download Subject-Verb Agreement

Business English at Work
© 2003 Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Select single verbs that agree with single subjects
and plural verbs that agree with plural subjects.
Identify phrases between subjects and verbs that do
not affect the choice of the verb.
Use verbs that agree with subjects joined by and,
or, and nor correctly.
Select linking verbs that agree with subjects.
Objectives
continued
Business English at Work
PP 11-1a
Subject-Verb
Agreement
continued
Select verbs that agree with indefinite pronouns
used as subjects.
Use verbs that agree with collective nouns.
Use verbs that agree with money, time periods,
numbers, and measurements.
Use correct verbs with subjects in inverted
sentences.
Use verbs that agree with plural nouns and gerund
phrases.
Objectives
Business English at Work
PP 11-1b
Subject-Verb
Agreement
General Principles of
Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must agree with its subject in–
Person
Number
a) first
b) second
c) third
a) singular
b) plural
Business English at Work
PP 11-2
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Singular Subject—Singular Verb
Use a singular verb with a singular subject.
Add s or es to a present part of a singular verb
when the subject is third person singular.
Use the simple subject to determine the correct
verb form.
an employee decides
I speak
she plans
experience brings
Business English at Work
he reaches
you agree
the telephone buzzes
it taxes
PP 11-3
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Plural Subject—Plural Verb
Use a plural verb with a plural subject.
Do not add s to a plural verb used with a plural subject
(a plural noun is formed by adding s or es, but this is
not true with the plural form of a verb).
Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb
form.
the managers cooperate
employees compromise
the Johnsons own
Business English at Work
they decide
members disagree
we discuss
PP 11-4
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Pronoun You—Plural Verb
Use a plural verb with both the second-person
singular or second-person plural subject you.
you determine
you both work
Business English at Work
you think
you are all qualified
you are
PP 11-5
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Intervening Words and Phrases
The verb must agree with the subject, not with
the object of the prepositional phrase that may
appear between the subject and the verb.
My lack of experience keeps me from accepting a
leadership role.
The items on the agenda determine the length of
our meetings.
The members of our team work well together.
Business English at Work
PP 11-6a
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Intervening Words and Phrases
Disregard modifying phrases such as along with, in
addition to, together with, accompanied by, as
well as, and in conjunction with.
Use commas to set aside these modifying phrases
when they are placed between the subject and the
verb.
Patti, along with several other committee members, prepares
our agenda.
Patience, in addition to the ability to listen, plays an important
part in success.
Business English at Work
PP 11-6b
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Compound Subjects
Joined by And
Use a plural verb with a compound subject joined by
and or both . . . and.
The manager and team members meet every week.
Both Rachel and Rick work in the evenings.
Use a singular verb with a compound subject that
refers to the same person or thing or is considered a
single unit.
My friend and coworker has participated in panel discussions
on teamwork.
Business English at Work
PP 11-7
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Compound Subjects
Joined by Or or Nor
Make the verb agree with the subject nearest
the verb when a compound subject is joined by
or or nor or by either . . . or or neither . . . nor.
Either Penny or Zola is expected to replace Maurey on
the committee.
Neither the supervisor nor the committee members were
available after 5 p.m.
Business English at Work
PP 11-8
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Compound Subjects With Many a,
Many an, Each, and Every
Use a singular verb when the words many a, many an,
each, and every immediately precede a compound
subject. The subject that follows one of these four
expressions is considered singular; the verb must agree.
Many a staff meeting and brainstorming session has resulted in
numerous creative ideas.
Every supervisor and department manager needs good
communication skills.
Each workshop participant and observer receives feedback in a
timely manner.
Business English at Work
PP 11-9
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Linking Verbs
A linking verb should agree with its subject, not
its subject complement (predicate noun or
pronoun).
Time management skills were the first workshop
topic at our company retreat.
Compliments are a way to start a conversation.
Business English at Work
PP 11-10
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Indefinite Pronouns That Require
Singular Verbs
Use a singular verb when the subject is one of the
following singular indefinite pronouns.
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
neither
no one
nobody
nothing
one
somebody
someone
something
Someone in our department commutes from Santa Rosa.
One of our team members always reacts strongly to
recommendations that appear costly.
Business English at Work
PP 11-11
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Indefinite Pronouns That Require
Plural Verbs
Use a plural verb when the subject is one of
the following pronouns: both, few, many,
others, and several.
Several of our employees like to organize our retreat.
Many of our Website changes are the result of
customers’ suggestions.
Both of the team meetings are scheduled for Friday.
Business English at Work
PP 11-12
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Collective Nouns That Require a
Singular Verb
Use a singular verb to refer to a group as one
unit.
This particular accounting team is extremely
accurate.
The public relations group responds quickly to any
questions about company operations.
The hiring committee has selected a candidate.
Business English at Work
PP 11-13
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Collective Nouns That Require a
Plural Verb
Use a plural verb to refer to group members
acting as individual members of the group.
The team are selecting meeting dates for next year.
At Mission Hills Mortgage, a peer counseling group
help workers with work-related problems.
The committee need to stop promoting their
individual projects and make a group decision.
Business English at Work
PP 11-14
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Publications
Use a singular verb when the name of a
publication such as a book, magazine,
software, or newspaper is used as a subject.
The Insider publishes our company
announcements.
The Internet Guide reviews Websites.
Business English at Work
PP 11-15
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Companies, Institutions, and
Organizations
Use a singular verb when the name of a
company, an institution, or an organization is
used as a subject of a sentence.
Marriott International Inc. emphasizes the ability
to work as a member of a team.
Gateway Technical College makes teamwork a
part of each class.
Business English at Work
PP 11-16
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Money, Time Periods, Numbers,
and Measurements
Use a singular verb with money,
measurements, time periods, or numbers
when referring to one total amount or unit.
Two hours is the time limit for all staff meetings.
Twenty dollars is the donation expected from
each employee.
Business English at Work
PP 11-17
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Fractional Amounts—
Singular Verbs
Use a singular verb with expressions such as the
majority of, a part of, a portion of, a
percentage of or one-half of when the noun that
follows the word of is singular.
The majority of our team is in support of the software
update.
A small percentage of our meeting time involves
socializing.
Business English at Work
PP 11-18
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Fractional Amounts—
Plural Verbs
Use a plural verb with expressions such as a
majority of, a part of, a portion of, a
percentage of, or one-half of when the noun
that follows the word of is plural.
A majority of my colleagues support the proposal.
A large percentage of company computers have
project management software.
Business English at Work
PP 11-19
Subject-Verb
Agreement
A Number/The Number
Use a plural verb with the subject a number.
A number of the members of this committee
are eager to reorganize the department.
Use a singular verb with the subject the
number.
The number of accounting employees
increases as our business expands.
Business English at Work
PP 11-20
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Sentences Beginning with
Here and There
Locate the subject in a sentence that begins
with here or there. The verb should agree
with the subject.
There are five candidates for the manager’s
position.
Here is the agenda for the meeting.
Business English at Work
PP 11-21
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Questions
Locate the subject in a question, and make the
verb agree with the subject.
Do you agree with the recommendations of the
committee?
Why are you attending the leadership seminar
in California?
Business English at Work
PP 11-22
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Nouns Ending in ics
Use a singular verb with a noun that ends in ics
when the noun refers to one topic of study.
Statistics prepares employees for analyzing data.
Use a plural verb with a noun that ends in ics
when the noun refers to more than one idea or
item.
The statistics from our Website are valuable in
analyzing our customers’ needs.
Business English at Work
PP 11-23
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Plural Nouns
Use a plural verb with such nouns ending in s
as assets, dues, earnings, goods, grounds,
odds, proceeds, savings, and thanks when
these nouns are used as subjects.
The odds were against us, but we tried to get
additional support staff for the project team.
No dues are required from members of teams.
Business English at Work
PP 11-24
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Gerund Phrases
Use a singular verb when a gerund phrase is
the subject of a sentence.
Completing leadership training takes
commitment.
Assuming leadership roles is important for all
employees.
Business English at Work
PP 11-25
End of
Business English at Work
© 2003 Glencoe/McGraw-Hill