Download Subject/Verb Agreement

Subject/Verb Agreement
By: Chandni Patel and Joey Piechocki
Purpose
• The purpose of this presentation is to teach
the proper way to structure a sentence with
correct subject and verb tenses.
• But first…
What is a Subject and Verb?
• The subject is the part of a sentence that
names whom or what the sentence is about
• A verb is the action word in the sentence. It is
part of the predicate in the sentence.
Subject/Verb Agreement
• When writing sentences, both the noun
(subject) and the verb must agree in number
for a sentence to be coherent.
• If the noun is singular, then the verb is singular
• If the noun is plural, then the verb is plural
Subject/Verb Agreement
• A regular, plural noun usually has an -s or -es
at the end of it
• A regular, plural verb usually does not have an
ending on it.
• To form singular verbs from regular verbs, add
an -s or -es to the end of it, but only form if
the subject is also singular.
– Exception: when using the pronoun I or you, use
the plural form of the verb instead of the singular.
Other Exceptions and Rules
• If there are two subjects and they are connected
by and, then the verb is plural.
• If the two subjects are collective and belong as
one unit (ex. Mac and cheese), then the verb is
singular.
• If two subjects are present, connected by or or
nor, and both are different in number, then the
noun closest to the verb determines the proper
form of the verb.
• If the subject is a phrase, then the verb is always
singular.
Other Exceptions…
• If there is a collective noun, the verb can be
either singular or plural, depending on if the
collective group is being talked about as one
unit or as individual members.
• If there is an interrupting phrase in between
the subject and the verb, make sure the verb
agrees with the subject and not the phrase.
Examples
• Is this sentence correct?
• The new shopping mall open in two weeks.
• The subject is singular, but the verb is plural;
therefore, this is incorrect. It should read…
The new shopping mall opens in two weeks.
Examples: Pick the correct verb
• The scallops or a steak (is, are) the best
choice.
• Both mother and child (is, are) to receive
shots.
• Rhonda, as well as her other friends, (ride,
rides) the bus.
• Short Stories for Young Americans (contains,
contain) many tales of courage.
THE END
References:
Grammar and Composition Handbook: Grade
12. Glencoe/McGraw Hill: New York. 2002.
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