Download Chapter 10: Subject-Verb Agreement

Chapter 10: Subject-Verb
Agreement
Level 1
Locating Subjects
Every verb needs a subject
Can be difficult to find especially:

A prepositional phrase comes between the
verb and its subject

An intervening element separates the
subject and verb

Sentences begin with there or here

Sentences are inverted (verb coming first)
Prepositional Phrases
Subject of verbs are not found in these
phrases
Need to ignore these phrases when trying to
find the subjects of verbs
List of prepositions are linked to wordpress
Less easily recognized prepositions are:
except, but, like, and between

It appears that the invoice for the two
shipments was lost.

All managers but Daniel are attending the
leadership workshop.
Intervening Elements
Expressions such as: along with, as well as, in
addition to, such as, including, together with, plus,
and other than do not have sentence subjects in
the phrase

Her favorite movie star, as well as other local
celebrities, is scheduled to attend the fundraiser.
Sentences Beginning With there and here
Sentences that start with there or here- look for
the true subject after the verb

There are several ways to contact our
Customer Service Department.
Make sure to have subject-verb agreement with
contractions here's (pg 197)
Inverted Sentence Order
Look for the subject after the verb in inverted
sentences

Also in questions

Related to everyday business are law and
ethics.

Have the product specifications been
submitted?
Basic Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
Subjects Joined by and

When one subject is joined to another by -and,
the subject is usually plural

Tom and Katie are working together at
subway.

Subjects joined by -and are singular in only
two cases:

When the words are preceded by each or
every

When the words represent a single person
or thing

Each letter and memo requires a manager's
signature.

His wife and best friend is Christina.
Company and Organization Names

Even though company and organization
names look like they are plural they are
generally singular. They need singular
verbs
Titles

Publications (titles of, artistic works) are
singular and need a singular verb.

“Clocks” is one of Coldplay's most
popular songs.

In the following sentences or groups of
words, underline the simple subject(s).
1. A directory of e-mail addresses is on my computer.
2. other services such as Web hosting and HTML
coding
3. one of the many reasons for developing excellent
communication skills
4. current emphasis on product safety and consumer
protection
5. the anger and frustration of the passengers
6. the lead actor, as well as those in supporting roles
Level 2: Special Rules for SubjectVerb Agreement
Subjects Joined by or or nor
When two or more subject are joined by either
of these words, the verb should agree with the
closer subject

Neither the webmaster nor the clerks knew
the customer's password.
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular,
and other always plural

Pg 198

Singular indefinite pronoun—singular verb

Plural indefinite pronoun—plural verb
Some indefinite pronouns can be singular
or plural-- look at the prepositional phrase
for the noun to which the indefinite pronoun
refers.

Some of the report is controversial. (Some
is singular because it refers to report.)

When anyone and everyone is followed by
of, they are spelled as two words.

Every one of us should attend the budget
development meeting.
Collective Nouns as Subjects (pg 199)

Subjects such as faculty, committee, team,
etc. may be singular or plural depending on
how they are used in a sentence

When it operates as one unit, it is singular. If
it is functions separately, it is plural.

Select the correct form or verb.
1. Everyone except a few employees (a) admit,
(b) admits that the new CEO is doing a good
job.
2. No one but the Human Resources director
and a few managers ever (a) talk, (b) talks
about balancing work and family issues.
3. The union (a) has, (b) have to vote on the
proposed contract.
4. Every one of the new start-up companies (a)
is, (b) are seeking venture capital.
5. All that work (a) is, (b) are yet to be logged in.
Level 3: Additional Rules for
Subject-Verb Agreement
The Distinction Between the number and a
number

By adding the articles -the or -a to the word number (by used as a subject), changes this
word from singular to plural

The- is specific so it is singular

a- is general so it is plural

The number of times you have been late to
work is unacceptable.

A number of items are included to today's
agenda.
Quantities and Measure

When talking total amounts, quantities and
measures are singular. When talking about
individual amounts, they are plural.
Fractions, Portions, and Percentages

To figure out if fractions, portions, and
percentages, you need to look at the noun
they are referring to.

One third of the contract was ratified. (One
third is singular because it refers to contact.)

A majority of employees agree with the
proposal. (Majority is plural because it refers
to employees.)
Who and That Clauses


Need to agree in number and person with the nouns
to which they refer.
In who and that clauses introduced by one of- the
verb is usually plural.


In who and that clauses introduced by the only one
of- the verb is usually singular.


Susan is one of those managers who always get
excellent results from their employees.
Maria is the only one of our employees who is certified
to give CPR.
Remember the verb needs to agree with the noun it is
referring to, even in who clauses.

It is you who are responsible for booking our flights.
Phrases and Clauses as Subjects

Use a singular verb

When subject of a sentence is a phrase or clause.

Learning about different cultures is fascinating.
Subject Complements



Complements sometimes do not agree in number
with the noun.
Linking verb still needs to agree with subject.
To make this easier, reword sentences so that
subjects and complements agree in number.

Awk: The best part of the Web site is the graphics and
video.

Better: The best parts of the Web site are the graphics
and video.
For each sentence write the letter
corresponding to the correct answer.
1. The number of companies using Google to
perform background checks on potential
employees (a) is, (b) are growing.
2. A number of companies (a) is, (b) are also using
social networking sites to investigate applicants.
3. Fifteen feet pipe (a) is, (b) are exactly what was
specified.
4. Didn't you know it is you who (a) has, (b) have
been chosen for the promotion?
5. Whoever is named for the job (a) has, (b) have
my approval