Subject-Verb Agreement Ms. Correa Intro to Genre April 2016

Case #1: Knowing the difference between single subjects / plural subjects  incorrect: Strawberries is my favorite fruit.  Correct: Strawberries are my favorite fruit.  This becomes more difficult when you flip the sentence around:  Incorrect: My favorite fruit are strawberries.  Correct: My favorite fruit is strawberries. Generally, the subject of the sentence comes first. It is the main noun of the sentence.

Case #2: Recognizing nouns that look plural, but are actually singular.  Incorrect: Mathematics are my most difficult class.  Correct: Mathematics is my most difficult class.  Incorrect: Social Studies this year begin with Ancient Civilizations.  Correct: Social Studies this year begins with Ancient Civilizations.  Incorrect: This pair of jeans are stained from the paint that I used to paint the mural.  Correct: This pair of jeans is stained from the paint that I used to paint the mural.

Case #2: More examples of nouns that look plural, but are actually singular.  The team are practicing each night before the big tournament.  The team is practicing each night before the big tournament.  The news are reporting that a crime was committed on 51 st street.  The news is reporting that a crime was committed on 51 st street.  Do you think the media are biased against certain Presidential candidates?  Do you think the media is biased against certain Presidential candidates?  My family have not decided where they are going on vacation.  My family has not decided where it is going on vacation.

Case #4: Using Either / Or, Neither/Nor with a singular verb.  Incorrect: Either Margaret or her mother are going to plant the flowers.  Correct: Either Margaret or her mother is going to plant the flowers.  Incorrect: Either rain or snow showers is predicted for tomorrow.  Correct: Either rain or light snow showers are predicted for tomorrow.  Incorrect: Neither the puppy nor the two cats is hungry.  Correct: Neither the puppy nor the two cats are hungry. Rule: When using either/or, whichever part of the subject comes second determines whether you will choose a singular or plural verb.

Case #3: Two-parted objects that need a plural verb.  Tweezers  Trousers  Pants  Shears  Scissors  Forceps The scissors are too difficult for the Pre-K children to handle by themselves. The tweezers are handy for personal hygiene issues. INCORRECT: Could you pass me the scissor? Can you pick up a tweezer for me at CVS?

Case #5: Both / are All / are  Incorrect: Both of the children is signed up to attend Horseback Riding Camp.  Correct: Both of the children are signed up to attend Horseback Riding Camp.  Incorrect: All of the turkeys is in the pen behind the barn silo.  Correct: All of the turkeys are in the pen behind the barn silo.

Case #6: Each / is One / is  Incorrect: Each of the campers are excited to go on the Splish-Splash trip.  Correct: Each of the campers is excited to go on the Splish-Splash trip.  Incorrect: One of my favorite snacks are chocolate chip cookies and milk.  Correct: One of my favorite snacks is chocolate chip cookies and milk. Rule: “Each” and “One” are pointing out single or individual subjects, so the verb should be singular as well.