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Subject-Verb
Agreement
We are only talking
about present tense!!!
Basic Rule
 Singular
subjects (usually
doesn’t have –s-)need singular
verbs (usually have –s-).
 Plural subjects (usually have –s)need plural verbs (usually
DON’T have –s-).
Phrases Between Subject & Verb!
When a phrase comes between the
subject & the verb, the number of the
subject IS NOT CHANGED!!!
 Focus on the subject when deciding
whether the verb should be singular or
plural
 WHEN IN DOUBT…CROSS THAT
PHRASE OUT!!!

Phrases Between Subject & Verb!

Prepositional Phrases:
~The success of Hollywood films is
Singular Subject
Singular Verb
based on the grosses.
~Filmgoers at the box office give a
Plural Subject
Plural Verb
financial thumbs up to a film.
Phrases Between Subject & Verb!
Appositive Phrases:
~Jurassic Park, a high-grossing film,
Singular Subject/Verb
has made many millions.
~Sequels- The Lost World and othersPlural Subject/Verb
generally make less.

Phrases Between Subject & Verb!
Participial Phrases:
~Sometimes a movie loved by millions
Singular Verb/Subject
receives a poor review.
~Movie lovers, playing critic, turn the
Plural Subject
Plural Verb
movie around.

Compound Subjects
A
compound subject
contains 2 or more simple
subjects.
Compound subjects can
take either singular or
plural verbs.
Compound Subjects
Parts joined by AND
 A compound subject whose parts are
joined by AND requires a plural verb
(has no –s-).
Example:

Plural Subject
Singular Subject Plural V.
Pictures and movement come together in
animated films.
Compound Subjects
Parts joined by OR or NOR
 When the parts of a compound subject are
joined by OR or NOR, the verb should
agree with the part closest to it.
Example:

Plural Subject
Singular Subject
Neither the animation cells nor celluloid film
was used for that movie.
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
When an indefinite pronoun is used as a subject, its verb
must agree with it in number. Indefinite pronouns can be
grouped into 3 categories.


ALWAYS SINGULAR:
~each, anything, nothing, one,
everything, something,
everyone, either, someone,
anyone, no one, nobody,
everybody, neither, somebody,
anybody
Examples:
~After the inspection,
everything was in its place.
~No one wants to go first.


ALWAYS PLURAL:
~many, few, both
Examples:
~Few are ready for the
examination.
~Several of the townspeople
are planning to attend.
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Either or indefinite pronouns that act as subjects DEPEND
on the object of the preposition that follows. This is the
ONLY time you CANNOT cross that phrase out!

SINGULAR OR
PLURAL:
~some, most, all,
none, any

Examples:
~Most of the team is
healthy. (Most refers to
team, which is singular.)
~Most of the
sophomores attend the
class meeting. (Most
refers to sophomores,
which is plural.)
just SPECIAL subjects...
A collective noun names a group. It is considered
singular when it refers to a group as a whole. It is
plural when it refers to each member individually.

Singular
Examples:
~The flock is ready
to be sheared.
~Our team is the
best.


PLURAL
~The flock are sheared
one at a time.
Our team are all
seniors.
just SPECIAL subjects...
Singular nouns ending in -s take plural verbs.
Example: The scissors are on the shelf.

Some nouns end in -s- are
singular & take singular
verbs.
 Example: Mumps is a
painful childhood disease.
 A title is always singular,
even if it contains plural
words.
 Example: Travels with
Charley is an engrossing
book. “Cycles” is my latest
poem.

Many nouns ending in -ics
may be singular or plural
depending on their
meaning.
 Singular: Politics is a
challenging field. (one
type of field)
 Plural: Her politics are
confusing to many
people. (more than one
political standpoint)
just SPECIAL subjects...
Nouns of amount are singular when they
refer to a total that is considered one unit.
 They are plural when they refer to a
number of individual units.
 Singular: Nine dollars is the price. (one
unit)
 Plural: Nine dollars were found under
the bleachers. (nine individual units)

These create problems:

Phrases that come between the
subject pronoun and its verb —may
contain plural words and confuse.
Each of the basketball
players is excited about
tonight’s game.
These create problems:

Certain Indefinite Pronouns, such as
everyone and everybody, seem plural,
but they are always singular — so they
need a singular verb (has –s-).
1. Everyone who worked on the
science project is a winner.
2. Someone has to answer the
phone.
Problem Sentences

An inverted sentence is one in which the subject
follows the verb.
~Take care to locate the subject accurately, making
sure that the verb agrees with it.
~Because an inverted sentence often begins with a
prepositional phrase, the object of the preposition can
be easily mistaken for the subject.
~Remember that the subject follows the verb in an
inverted sentence.
 Singular: Under the bush sits a rabbit.
~(The verb, sits, must agree with the subject, rabbit.)
 Plural: Under the bush sit three rabbits.
~(The verb, sit, must agree with the subject, rabbits.)
Problem Sentences






Inverted sentences often begin with the word there or here.
~These words are almost never the subject of a sentence.
Singular:
~There is a shadow across the page.
~Here comes my brother.
Plural:
~There are cracks in the foundation.
~Here are five examples.
The subject in an interrogative sentence may follow an auxiliary
verb.
~In this event, the subject will appear between the auxiliary verb and
the main verb.
Singular:
~Does the price include tax?
Plural:
~Do our privileges include free admission?
These create problems:
• Verbs that accompany pronouns such
as all and some will be determined by
whether the pronoun is referring to
something that is COUNTABLE or not.
1. Some of the workers on
the building have left for the
day.
You could count
the workers.
These create problems:
• Verbs that accompany pronouns such
as all and some will be determined by
whether the pronoun is referring to
something that is COUNTABLE or not.
1. Some of the salt was
spilled on the floor.
Salt is considered
one lump item.
These create problems:
• None is usually regarded as singular,
but it can be used as a plural
pronoun.
None of the boys has helped at the
game.
Either is correct!
OR
None of the boys have helped at the
game.
These create problems:
Phrases such as together with, along with,
and as well as seem to combine subjects,
but they do not .
Some of the tile in our room, as well
as the hall, was soaked.
The major problem we had, together
with that of our teacher, was
tardiness.
Don’t be fooled
by extra phrases!
These create problems:
When either and neither appear as a
subject alone (without the words or
and nor), they are singular.
1. Either of those answers seems to
be right.
2. You can have the bed by the
window or the one by the door.
Either is okay with me. Seems like plural
things!
These create problems:
The words there and here are never
subjects.
1.Here are the papers you gave me.
2.Here is my answer.
Here is not
the subject.
These create problems:
Verbs in the present tense for thirdperson, singular subjects (he, she, it
and anything those words can stand
for) have s-endings. Other verbs do
not add s-endings.
1.He asks for help.
2.She asks for help.
3.They ask for help.
Tricky subject
pronouns
Let’s Try These!
Directions: If the subject and
verb are in agreement click
"correct." If they are not, click
the word that is the correct
answer.
Ready?
Bill am going to the store.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
is
was
were
does
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
The teachers are going to the
movie.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
am
is
does
was
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
This are going to be the easiest
quiz of all time.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
is
am
was
were
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
Everyone at the movie is taking a
dollar.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
were
am
are
when
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
This is a fun book to read.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
was
were
am
does
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
One time I were at the mountains.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
was
is
am
does
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
Everyone are going to the circus.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
were
was
is
does
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
Each of the students are
worried about the test.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
has
is
am
does
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
None of those girls go to church.
correct
b) goes
c) are
d) were
e) does
a)
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.
The last book we read, as well as
the five in the library, was fiction.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
correct
is
am
were
does
Oh No!
The subject
and verb are
not in
agreement.
Click HERE to
try again.
CORRECT!
The subject
and verb are
in agreement.
Click HERE to
move forward.