Download Subject and Verb Agreement

Subject and Verb
Agreement
Can’t we all just get along?
Subject and verbs must agree in
number!
If the subject is singular, the verb must be
singular.
*Beth volunteers at the city’s food pantry.
 If the subject is plural, the verb must be
plural.
*Her friends volunteer at the city’s park
department.
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JUST A REMINDER…
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Don’t forget that most nouns ending in “s”
or “es” are plural, and most verbs ending in
“s” are singular.
What about compound subjects?
If the compound subject uses “and” as a
connector, use a plural verb.
*Lia and Ramone carry the school’s banner in the
parade.
 If the compound subject uses “or” or “nor” as a
connector, the verb must agree with the closest
subject
*Either the band members or Mr. Kurz needs to
collect the flags.

Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
An indefinite pronoun is one that does not
have a specific noun or pronouns as its
antecedent
*Everything about the chameleon is
fascinating.
*Someone donated it to our class.
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There are 3 types: singular, plural,
and “confused”

Singular indefinite pronouns…
another, anybody, anyone, anything, each,
either, everybody, everyone, everything,
little, much, neither, nobody, no one,
nothing, one, other, somebody, someone,
something
And the rest…
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Plural: both, few, many, others, several
Confused: (singular or plural) all, any,
more, most, none, some
For indefinite pronouns that are singular or
plural, figure out to which word the pronoun
is referring.
Ex: All of the people clap their hands.
Some examples…
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Each of the members (has/have) one vote.
One of the girls (is, are) happy to give up
her position.
A few of the judges (was/were) voicing their
opinion.
All of the class (listen, listens) to the
teacher.