BY: DEWI WULAN SARI SUBJECT & VERB AGREEMENT [DWS] S & V Agreement 1

CHOOSE ONE OF THESE OPTIONS He doesn’t OR He don’t? Julian agree OR Julian agrees? They work OR They works? Anita have made OR Anita has made? It rain OR It rains? [DWS] S & V Agreement2

In some cases, subject-verb agreement are trickier—even for native speakers of English. Subject-verb agreement is when the subject of the sentence correctly matches the verb in number. If the subject is singular, the verb is singular. If the subject is plural, the verb is plural. (TOEFL Exam Essentials, p. 56) [DWS] S & V Agreement3

Subject-verb agreement can be confusing, however. Look out for problem verb forms and the other common pitfalls listed below. The lists are taken from TOEFL Exam Essentials (2004, pp ) [DWS] S & V Agreement4

The subject I —Even though I is a single person, it usually takes the plural form of the verb: I look. I do. Doesn’t/don’t, Wasn’t/weren’t —These verb constructions can confuse writers. Doesn’t (does not) and wasn’t (was not) are singular. Don’t (do not) and weren’t (were not) are plural. (I takes the plural form, don’t) [DWS] S & V Agreement5

Words or phrases that follow a subject —A common error in making subject-verb agreement is confusing a phrase (words or phrase that follow a subject) with the subject of the sentence. When you read, be careful to locate the true subject of the sentence. Subject and verbs are underlined in the following examples. One of the boys is missing. The paintings by Pedro Reiss are bold and commanding. [DWS] S & V Agreement6

Singular nouns that end in s —Some words like measles, mumps, news, checkers or marbles (games), physics, economics, sports, and politics are singular despite their plural form, because we think of them as a single thing. The news begins at 6 p.m. Aerobics is a great way to get in shape and reduce stress. [DWS] S & V Agreement7

Pronoun subjects— Pronouns are misused often in speech and writing. Some pronouns are always singular, whereas others are always plural. A few can be either singular or plural. Each, either, neither, anybody, anyone, everybody, everyone, no one, nobody, one, somebody, someone are singular pronouns that agree with singular verbs. Examples: Everyone wants to win the lottery. Each of the managers wants her own phone line. [DWS] S & V Agreement8

Both, few, many, and several are plural pronouns and agree with plural verbs. Example: Both of her ex-boyfriends are attending the wedding. [DWS] S & V Agreement9

WHEN THINGS GET COMPLEX... If two nouns or pronouns are joined by and, they need a plural verb. Oscar and Lorraine drive to work on most days. If two singular nouns or pronouns are joined by or or nor, they need a singular verb. On most days, Oscar or Lorraine drives to work. [DWS] S & V Agreement10

WHEN THINGS GET COMPLEX... If one plural and one singular subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the closest subject. Examples: Neither the teacher nor the students like the textbook. Either the students or the teacher likes the textbook. [DWS] S & V Agreement11

WHEN THINGS GET COMPLEX... If a sentence asks a question or begins with the words there or here, the subject follows the verb. The verb must agree with the subject. The subjects are underlined in the following examples. Examples: Here is the evidence to prove it. What are his reasons? [DWS] S & V Agreement12

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISES John, along with his friends, (is/are) planning a party. The picture of the soldiers (bring/brings) back the memories. If the duties of these officers (isn’t/aren’t) reduced, there will not be enough time to finish the project. The level of intoxication (vary/varies) from subject to subject. The use of credit cards in place of cash (have/has) increased rapidly in recent years. [DWS] S & V Agreement13

TENSES Subject-Verb Agreement and Tenses, however, are related to each other. Learning S-V Agreement will be better accompanied by leaning tenses. Here are the basic tenses that we are going to study. [DWS] S & V Agreement14

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE Generally, simple present is used for: 1.General Fact 2.Daily Activity 3.Statement or Opinion Simple present tense always uses simple verb form in each of its sentences. When we form simple present tense sentence without a verb, we have to use ‘be’ (such as: is, am, are) [DWS] S & V Agreement15

HOW ARE THE PATTERNS? With verb Note: Whenever we use singular subject, we have to add –s/-es to the verb. And singular subject also took the form does/doesn’t. [DWS] S & V Agreement16 +S + V1 (s/es) + O + C -S + don’t / doesn’t + V1 + O + C ?Do/Does + S + V1 + O + C ?

HOW ARE THE PATTERNS? Without Verb Notes: Am  I Is  He, she, it, singular subject Are  You, they, we, plural subject [DWS] S & V Agreement17 +S + is/am/are+ O + C -S + is/am/are + not + O + C ?Is/am/are + S + O + C ?

USE THE RIGHT FORM OF VERB AND BE Water at. 100C. ( boil) My uncle in a factory. (work) John and Sue glasses. (wear) The children a lot of sweets. (eat) He only at weekends. (work) 1 always out on Saturdays. (go) She to London once a week. (drive) [DWS] S & V Agreement18

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE (CONTINUOUS) The present progresive express an activity that is in progress at the moment of speaking. It began in the recent past, is continuing at the present, and will probably end at some point in the future. It is also used in expressing the activities that are in progress this week, month, year. [DWS] S & V Agreement19

THE PATTERN Examples: The president is attending the meeting right now Clara is trying to improve her speaking skills. He is writing another book this year. [DWS] S & V Agreement20 +S + auxialiary (is/am/are) + V-ing + O + C -S + (is/am/are) + not + V-ing + O + C ?Auxialiary(is/am/are) + S + V-ing + O + C ?

SIMPLE PAST TENSE Simple past indicates that an activity or situation began and ended at a particular time in the past. The patterns are: [DWS] S & V Agreement21 + S + V2 + O + CS + was/were + O + C - S + didn’t + V1 + O + CS + was/were + not + O + C ? Did + S + V1 + O + C ?Was/were + S + O + C ?

PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE Patterns: [DWS] S & V Agreement22 + S + was/were + V-ing + O + C -S + was/were + not + V-ing + O + C ?Was/were + S + V-ing + O + C ?

The past progresive is used to indicate: An action which was occuring in the past and was interupted by another action, the general rule is: WHEN + Simple Past Tense, Past Progressive When John called me, I was taking a shower. Simple Past Tense WHILE Past Progressive Jon called me while I was taking a shower. [DWS] S & V Agreement23

The past progresive is used to indicate: Two action occuring at the same time in the past. In this case, the following rules usually apply: Past Progressive WHILE Past Progressive Anita was watching the talent show program while Joana was doing her homework. An action which was occuring at some specific time in the past. Jamie and Andre were studying in the library at 4 P.M yesterday. [DWS] S & V Agreement24

EXERCISE 1.While Maria (clean) the apartment, her husband slept. 2.At three o’clock in the morning, Ellise (study). 3.When the teacher (enter) the room, the students were talking. 4.We (see) this movie last night. 5.Jose (write) a letter to his family when his pencil (break) [DWS] S & V Agreement25

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE Pattern: [DWS] S & V Agreement26 +S + Have/has +V3/been + O + C -S + Have/has + not +V3/been + O + C ?Have/has + S +V3/been + O + C ?

Present perfect tense is used to indicate: An action that happened at an indefinite time in the past. Brian has traveled around the world. Sam and Jill have been here. An action that happened more than once in the past. I have seen this movie three times. [DWS] S & V Agreement27

Present perfect tense is used to indicate: An action that began in the past and still occuring in the present. Joana has lived in the same house for six years. They have moved to bekasi since Note: In this case, we usually use for or since. For + duration of time Since + beginning of time [DWS] S & V Agreement28

PAST PERFECT TENSE Pattern: [DWS] S & V Agreement29 +S + Had +V3/been + O + C -S + Had + not +V3/been + O + C ?Had + S +V3/been + O + C ?

Past perfect tense is used to indicate: An action that happened before another action in the past; there usually are two actions in the sentence. John had gone to drug store before he went home. After John had gone to drug store, he went home. [DWS] S & V Agreement30

SIMPLE PAST & PAST PERFECT 1.Mr Miller _______ (work) in a travel agency for years. Then he gave it up. 2.My uncle died in I ______ (never/have) the opportunity to meet him. 3.He ______ (be) a newspaper reporter before he _______ (become) a businessman. 4.She ______ (feel) a little better after she _______ (take) the medicine. 5.I __________ (see, never) any of Picasso’s painting before I ________ (visit) the art museum. 6.After Leo _______ (have) his meal, Sarah ____ (offer) him a cup of tea. [DWS] S & V Agreement31

SOURCES: (2004). TOEFL Exam Essentials. New York: Learning Express Azar, Betty Schramfer. (1993). Fundamentals of English Grammar,SecondEdition. Jakarta: Binarupa Aksara. Azar, Betty Schramfer. (1993). Understanding and Using English Grammar, Second Edition. Jakarta: Binarupa Aksara. Pyle, Michael A and Page, Narry Ellen Munoz. (1995). Cliff TOEFL Preparation Guide. Nebraska: John Wiley and Sons. [DWS] S & V Agreement32