Subject Verb Agreement A Shmoop video to help us understand subject-verb agreement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVhUEq6P1w

The Basic Rule A verb should agree in number with its subject

Singular subjects take singular verbs The lightning fills the sky. The singular verb fills agrees with the singular subject lightning. Jan begins her vacation today. The singular verb begins agrees with the singular subject Jan. Notice between the subject and verb only one of those words ends in the letter –s. Remember singular verbs end in –s.

Plural subjects take plural verbs. Cheetahs run fast. The plural verb run agrees with the plural subject Cheetahs. New families move into our neighborhood often. The plural verb move agrees with the plural subject families. Remember that between the subject and verb only one of those words ends in the letter –s.

(helping verbs are in yellow) When a sentence contains a verb phrase, the first helping verb in the verb phrase agrees with the subject The motor is running. The motors are running. The girl has been delayed. The girls have been delayed. (helping verbs are in yellow)

Remember our Skills Focus Demonstrate understanding of correct subject-verb agreement Use verbs that agree with singular subjects Use verbs that agree with plural subjects Recognize and correct errors in subject-verb agreement

Time to demonstrate your knowledge of the basic rule Time to demonstrate your knowledge of the basic rule. Identify the form of verb in parentheses that agrees with its subject.

This museum (has, have) been called the best of all the Smithsonian museums.

This enormous building (covers, cover) three blocks.

Twenty-three galleries (offers, offer) visitors information and entertainment.

The different showrooms (deals, deal) with various aspects of air and space travel.

As you can see, the exhibits (features, feature) antique aircraft as well as modern spacecraft.

In another area, a theater (shows, show) films on a five story high screen.

A planetarium (is, are) located on the second floor.

Projectors (casts, cast) realistic images of stars on the ceiling.

Some tours (is, are) conducted by pilots.

In addition, the museum (houses, house) a large research library.

Now it’s time to prove you can identify errors in subject-verb agreement and correct those errors.

If the sentence is in agreement write CORRECT on your card If the sentence is in agreement write CORRECT on your card. If the sentence is NOT in agreement, correct the sentence by recording the correct verb on your card.

Not Correct change have to HAS because Mexico City is singular Located in an ancient lake bed, Mexico City have been built on Aztec ruins Not Correct change have to HAS because Mexico City is singular

Correct visitors admire Visitors admire the colorful paintings of Diego Rivera at the National Palace. Correct visitors admire

Not Correct change stand to STANDS because pyramid is singular In one of the city’s many subway stations, an Aztec pyramid still stand. Not Correct change stand to STANDS because pyramid is singular

Sculptures grace the Alameda, which is Mexico City’s main park. Correct Sculptures grace

Not Correct change offer to offers because observatory is singular Atop the Latin American Tower, an observatory offer a great view on a clear day. Not Correct change offer to offers because observatory is singular

Not Correct change is to are because walls is plural At the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the library’s outer walls is famous as works of art. Not Correct change is to are because walls is plural

Juan O’Gorman’s huge mosaics shows the cultural history of Mexico. Not Correct change shows to show because mosaics is plural

Not Correct change is to are because tourists is plural Usually, tourists is quite fascinated by the Great Temple of the Aztecs. Not Correct change is to are because tourists is plural

Many fiestas fills Mexico City’s social calendar. Not Correct change fills to fill because fiestas is plural

In addition, the city has one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world. Correct city has

STOP Time to Prove Your Own Knowledge Complete Subject-Verb Agreement Worksheet 1-2 (double sided worksheet so complete both sides)