MAKING the SENTENCE: Subject/Verb Agreement

What Makes a Complete Sentence? In order to have a grammatically-correct, complete sentence, you must have the three (3) following elements: A subject A verb A complete thought/idea

What Makes a Complete Sentence? SUBJECT + VERB + COMPLETE IDEA = SENTENCE

Subject & Verb The SUBJECT is someone/something that performs an action or is described in the sentence. The VERB expresses the action of the subject or gives information about the subject.

Subjects and Verbs Examples (action): The quarterback passed the ball to his wide receiver. The teacher explained the directions for the assignment.

Subjects and Verbs Examples (description): The quarterback is nervous before the championship game. The student seemed confused by the new material.

Subject/Verb Agreement In order to have a grammatically-correct sentence, your subject and verb must AGREE. This means that the number of the subject (singular or plural) must have the correct form of the verb.

Subject/Verb Agreement For example: Michael is excited for spring break. Michael are excited for spring break this one is correct

Subject/Verb Agreement For example: Michael read over his notes every night. Michael reads over his notes every night. this one is correct

The Basic Rule The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

singular subject singular verb plural subject plural verb The Basic Rule singular subject singular verb plural subject plural verb Examples: The tall building dominates the skyline. (singular) The tall buildings dominate the skyline. (plural)

The Basic Rule 1. The bird (fly, flies) south for the winter. Practice: 1. The bird (fly, flies) south for the winter. 2. Cereal (is, are) great anytime of day. 3. The boys (score, scores) higher on math tests. 4. Dogs (make, makes) the best house pets. 5. Music (run, runs) through my head all day long.

The Basic Rule Here’s a tip … SINGULAR GETS THE ‘S’

AND = plural OR/NOR = singular Specific Rules Rule #1 - When the subject is two or more nouns/pronouns connected by AND, then use a plural verb. Rule #2 - When two or more singular nouns/pronouns are connected by OR or NOR, then use a singular verb. AND = plural OR/NOR = singular

Rules #1 and #2 Examples Judy and Ed (STUDY, studies) for the test. Rule #1 Examples Judy and Ed (STUDY, studies) for the test. The girls and boys (PLAY, plays) soccer. Rule #2 Examples The book or pen (IS, are) in the drawer. The dog or cat (hide, HIDES) in the shed.

Rules #1 and #2 Practice Rule #1 Practice Rule #2 Practice 1. Beyonce and Jay-Z (sing, sings) together. 2. The White Sox and Cubs (look, looks) good this year. 3. English class and biology (is, are) my favorite subjects. Rule #2 Practice 1. The tape or stapler (work, works) well to fix the loose pages in your notebook. 2. A magazine or newspaper (is, are) a credible source for quotations and statistics. 3. Pepperoni or sausage (taste, tastes) good on pizza.

Specific Rules Rule #3 - When a compound subject contains both a singular AND a plural noun/pronoun joined by OR or NOR, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. Rule #4 - Doesn't should be used only with a singular subject. Don't should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears with the pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used.

Rules #3 and #4 Examples The boy or his friends (RUN, runs) every day. Rule #3 Examples The boy or his friends (RUN, runs) every day. His friends or the boy (run, RUNS) every day. Rule #4 Examples He (don’t, DOESN’T) like it. They (DON’T, doesn’t) like it. I (DON’T, doesn’t) like ice cream. You (DON’T, doesn’t) like it either.

Rules #3 and #4 Practice Rule #3 Practice Rule #4 Practice 1. Pencils or a pen (is, are) fine for the test. 2. Your notebook or my folders always (fall, falls) on the floor. 3. The serving bowl or the plates (go, goes) on that shelf. Rule #4 Practice 1. We (don’t, doesn’t) like writing essays. 2. She (don’t, doesn’t) make it on time to class. 3. I (don’t, doesn’t) yell very often. 4. You (don’t, doesn’t) put forth enough effort.