Warm up #7: subject-verb agreement A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: The list of items is/are on the desk. If you know that list (singular) is the subject, then you will choose is (singular) for the verb. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. Example: A bouquet of yellow roses lends cheer to a hospital room. Bouquet is the subject, not roses. It is singular, so the verb lends is singular. Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb. Example: My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today. Aunt or uncle is the subject and both are singular, so they require the singular verb, is arriving. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it. Example: Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf. plates and bowl are the subjects and bowl is closest to the verb go, so the verb should be singular (goes).

Warm up #7: subject-verb agreement Use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by the word and. Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation. Car and bike are the subjects. A plural subject requires a plural verb (are). In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb. Example: Here are the keys. Keys is the subject. Are is the verb. Use a singular verb with distances, time and money when considered as a unit. Example: Three miles is too far to walk. Three miles is the subject and it is singular, requiring a singular verb (is). Example: Five dollars is too much to spend on the book. Five dollars is the subject and it is singular, requiring a singular verb (is). 8. Collective nouns are usually considered singular (i.e. family, crowd, group, staff, team, band, etc.). 9. Complete the worksheet “Choose the verb”.