Subject-Verb Agreement Language Network

Subject-Verb Agreement Agreement In Number Here’s the Idea Matching Verbs with Subjects Agreement with Helping Verbs Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Verbs must agree with their subjects in number. Number refers to whether a word is singular or plural. Here’s the Idea

This book describes ways to analyze evidence of all kinds. Singular subjects take singular verbs. Here’s the Idea

These books describe ways to examine physical evidence. Plural subjects take plural verbs. Here’s the Idea

If a noun ends in s, it is usually plural. A verb that ends in s is usually singular. Here’s the Idea

In a verb phrase, it is the first helping verb that agrees with the subject. The officers have been searching for clues. Here’s the Idea

When you revise, you might change a subject from singular to plural or vice versa. If you change the number of a subject, be sure to change the verb too. Why It Matters

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. A stunt person train carefully for dangerous scenes. 1. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Camera angles helps make a fight seem real. 2. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. In one movie scene, the sheriff have just met an outlaw. 3. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. The fighter have been throwing punches all day. 4. Practice and Apply

Phrases Between Subject and Verb Subject-Verb Agreement Here’s the Idea Prepositional Phrase Appositive Phrase Why It Matters Practice and Apply

When a phrase comes between the subject and verb, the number of the subject is not changed. Here’s the Idea

The files on any computer are vulnerable to electronic-age thieves. PLURAL SUBJECTPLURAL VERB Prepositional Phrase Here’s the Idea

Mitnick, the most cunning of the thieves, was caught by one of his victims. SINGULAR SUBJECT SINGULAR VERB Appositive Phrase Here’s the Idea

Writers often insert phrases between subjects and verbs in order to put relevant information where it belongs. They must keep track of each subject so that they can make the verb agree. Why It Matters

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Special effects in a movie is referred to as FX. 5. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. A film about blizzards use salt, plastic, or shredded paper for snow. 6. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Computers in the studio creates snow and ice FX too. 7. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. A wind machine in different positions blow snow around. 8. Practice and Apply

Subject-Verb Agreement Compound Subjects Here’s the Idea Parts Joined by And Parts Joined by Or or Nor Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Compound Subject A compound subject contains two or more simple subjects. Compound subjects can take either singular or plural verbs. Here’s the Idea

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew are the world’s most famous teenage detectives. Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew are SINGULAR OR PLURAL PLURAL VERB + A compound subject whose parts are joined by and requires a plural verb. Here’s the Idea

Nancy or the Hardy Boys are always near a crime scene. Nancy or the Hardy Boys are SINGULAR OR PLURAL PLURAL VERB + When the parts of a compound subject are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part closest to it. Here’s the Idea

In terms of meaning, it often doesn’t matter which part of a compound subject comes first. A writer may use whichever order sounds better. Why It Matters

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Mickey Mouse and Roger Rabbit is both animated characters. 9. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Sometimes, cartoon figures and human actors appears together in films. 10. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Neither computer graphics nor special effects appears in early movies. 11. Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject. Either the projectionist or the supervisor know how to start the film. 12. Practice and Apply