Download Subject-Verb Agreement Intro

Mrs. Stinnett
English II
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
NUMBER

A word that refers to one person, place, thing,
or idea is singular in number.

A word that refers to more than one is plural in
number.

In general, nouns ending in –s are plural, and
verbs ending in –s are singular.
EXAMPLES OF NUMBER
SINGULAR
sandwich
she
family
makes
goes
is
sandwiches they
families
PLURAL
make
go
are
AGREEMENT

A verb should agree in number with its subject.
EX: Spike Lee is a talented movie director.
EX: His films are noteworthy.
INTERVENING PHRASES AND CLAUSES

The number of a subject usually is NOT
determined by a word in a phrase or clause
following the subject.
EX: The actors in Lee’s films are rehearsing a
scene.
 EX: Lee, not one of the acting coaches, has
been advising them.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Indefinite pronouns can act as the subject in a
sentence.
 Remember that some indefinite pronouns can
be singular, plural, or either depending on the
context of the sentence.

EX: No one knows the answer.
EX: Most of the article is interesting.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS (AND)

Subjects joined by and generally take a plural
verb.
EX: Peru and Chile are South American
countries.
EX: Students and teachers report to the
auditorium.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS (OR/NOR)
Singular subjects joined by or or nor take
a singular verb.
EX: Neither the president nor the vice
president is at the press conference.

Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a
plural verb.
EX: Either bobcats or wild boars appear in
the new documentary.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS (OR/NOR)

When a singular subject and a plural
subject are joined by or or nor, the verb
agrees with the subject that is nearer to
the verb.
EX: Either pizza or sandwiches are served
at the study group.
EX: Either sandwiches or pizza is served at
the study group.