Subject-Verb Agreement

What it is… Subject-verb agreement means: If the subject is plural, then the verb needs to be plural If the subject is singular, then the verb needs to be singular

Various Senarios

Singular subjects take singular verbs He / (washes : wash) the dishes A girl in my neighborhood / (plays : play) in the band.

Plural subjects take plural verbs They / (washes : wash) the dishes Several girls in my neighborhood / (plays : play) in the marching band.

Subjects joined by and take a plural verb Compound subjects: 2 or more subjects having the same verb My pen pal and best friend / (is : are) my cousin Broccoli and melted cheese / (makes : make) a tasty dish.

When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb. Neither the children or their mother / (was : were)ready for the trip. Neither the mother or her children / (was : were) ready for the trip.

Cheat Sheet 1. A singular subject will need a verb that ends with “s” 2. A plural subject will need a verb that does NOT end with “s”

Practice You (come, comes) with me. The girl and her friends (talk, talks) frequently. Neither the spices nor the pepper plant (grows, grow) well here. The leader with his followers (have, has) the power to influence many people. Out of the jungle (step, steps) three lions. The committee and its members (are, is) disagreeing on the procedure. Either the teacher or her students (is, are) right. Few of them (were, was) interested in our project. Civics (is, are) taught in ninth grade. Everyone (need, needs) some attention sometimes.