Subject/verb agreement Chapter 10 – 7th Grade ELA

The verb of the sentence must agree in number with the subject. The library book tells about dinosaurs. The author is a scientist from Japan. Singular verbs in the present tense usually end in –s. However verbs used with singular pronouns “I” and “you” do not usually end in –s. The exhibit features a skeleton. I like the display of fossils, but I have several questions. You seem excited about the field trip.

Plural subjects with plural verbs Several charts list important facts and dates. The colorful drawings are interesting. When a verb phrase is used, it too must agree with the subject. The guide was answering many questions. Kevin does not know the dinosaur’s name. My teachers have been reading the brochures.

Exercise 1 page 228 Modern families (use, uses) the Internet in many ways. The Internet (is, are) a source of information and entertainment. The online world (present, presents) many risks. Many parents (talk, talks) to their children about Internet safety. Children (is, are) not the only ones at risk. Adults (have, has) problems with dishonest people online, too.

Exercises 1 continued 7. My grandparents (is, are) having several problems. They (does, do) not realize the risk of identity theft. You (needs, need) to keep your personal information private. I (have, has) read a book about computer crime.

Edit the following paragraph CD sales has been slumping since 2000. One reason for this slump is that people download songs from the Internet for free. Many teens share music with their friends. Music industry leaders is upset with the loss of money and is proposing new laws. A new guide tells parents the legal issues about downloading music. Parents have been sued because their children has downloaded music. Music companies does not want to offend their customers. This issue is complicated.

Phrases between subject and verb Prepositional phrase(s) often follow the subject and come before the verb. The subject is never part of the prepositional phrase!!! Examples: The astronauts on the recent magazine cover are from Russia. The square button under the speed controls blinks constantly. The commanders of the mission during the summer have flown before.

Exercise 1 page 230 The subject of folk songs (range, ranges) from war to love. The topic of civil rights (comes, come) up in many American folk songs. A folk song from the Civil War years (was, were) “Down by the Riverside”. Huddle Ledbetter, with other African-American musicians (was, were) an important influence on fold music. Other big names in fold music (is, are) Pete Seeger and Joan Baez.

Exercise 1 continued One of Woody Guthrie’s most famous songs (is, are) “This Land is Your Land.” The sounds of bluegrass music (reminds, remind) me of Guthrie’s songs. People around the world (enjoys, enjoy) fold music. The appeal of many folk songs (is, are) their simple melodies. My interest in folk songs (grows, grow) each year.

Music, Food, or Movies 1 On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph of a least five sentences about one of those topics. Use present tense verbs. 2 Use one or more prepositional phrases between the subject and verb in at least three sentences. 3 Circle each verb, and check subject-verb agreement.

Compound Subjects Consists of two or more subjects and share the same verb and are joined by a conjunction. --Subjects joined by “and” usually take a plural verb. EX: Pears, peaches, and grapes taste sweet. --Compound subjects that name only one thing or person takes a singular verb.. EX: Peanut butter and jelly is the best sandwich. --Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor” take a singular verb. EX: Neither lettace nor celery has many calories.

--When a singular and a plural subject are joined by “or” or “nor”, the verb EX: Milk, cheese, or peas are on sale. (plural) Peas, milk, or cheese is on sale. (singular)

Exercise 1 page 231-232 SpongeBob SquarePants lives at the bottom of the ocean. His friend Patrick lives there, too. Homer Simpson has three children. Marge Simpson has three children. Either Family Ties was on TV in the 1980’s or I Love Lucy was on TV in the 1980’s My brother watches cartoons every Saturday. I watch cartoons every Saturday. So does my sister. The new reality show is not popular. The new cooking programs are not popular ether.