Subject/Verb Agreement By: Chandni Patel and Joey Piechocki

Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to teach the proper way to structure a sentence with correct subject and verb tenses. But first…

What is a Subject and Verb? The subject is the part of a sentence that names whom or what the sentence is about A verb is the action word in the sentence. It is part of the predicate in the sentence.

Subject/Verb Agreement When writing sentences, both the noun (subject) and the verb must agree in number for a sentence to be coherent. If the noun is singular, then the verb is singular If the noun is plural, then the verb is plural

Subject/Verb Agreement A regular, plural noun usually has an -s or -es at the end of it A regular, plural verb usually does not have an ending on it. To form singular verbs from regular verbs, add an -s or -es to the end of it, but only form if the subject is also singular. – Exception: when using the pronoun I or you, use the plural form of the verb instead of the singular.

Other Exceptions and Rules If there are two subjects and they are connected by and, then the verb is plural. If the two subjects are collective and belong as one unit (ex. Mac and cheese), then the verb is singular. If two subjects are present, connected by or or nor, and both are different in number, then the noun closest to the verb determines the proper form of the verb. If the subject is a phrase, then the verb is always singular.

Other Exceptions… If there is a collective noun, the verb can be either singular or plural, depending on if the collective group is being talked about as one unit or as individual members. If there is an interrupting phrase in between the subject and the verb, make sure the verb agrees with the subject and not the phrase.

Examples Is this sentence correct? The new shopping mall open in two weeks. The subject is singular, but the verb is plural; therefore, this is incorrect. It should read… The new shopping mall opens in two weeks.

Examples: Pick the correct verb The scallops or a steak (is, are) the best choice. Both mother and child (is, are) to receive shots. Rhonda, as well as her other friends, (ride, rides) the bus. Short Stories for Young Americans (contains, contain) many tales of courage.

THE END References: Grammar and Composition Handbook: Grade 12. Glencoe/McGraw Hill: New York Print