Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases and Clauses

The SUBJECT of a sentence or clause is the noun or pronoun that answers the question WHO? or WHAT? before the verb. Example: The cat chased the balloon. (The verb is CHASED) WHO or WHAT chased? The cat If the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also be plural.

The number of a subject is not changed by a phrase or clause following the subject. The girl in the red shoes rides my bus. (The singular verb rides agrees with the singular subject girl.) The girl in the red shoes rides my bus. The cave, which is between two rivers, holds all our supplies. (The singular verb holds agrees with the singular subject cave.) The cave, which is between two rivers, holds all our supplies. Those boys having their hair cut are going to the concert. (The plural verb are agrees with the plural subject boys.) Those boys having their hair cut are going to the concert.

This can get tricky. Nouns that are used to describe a group are considered singular unless they are describing multiple groups. (crowd, flock, team, collection, etc.) A litter of kittens was found under the porch. (The singular verb was found agrees with the singular subject litter.) A litter of kittens was found under the porch. Several litters of kittens were found under the porch. (The singular verb was found agrees with the singular subject litter.) Several litters of kittens were found under the porch.

Practice this skill: IXL 7th grade, EE.1

Practice with subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases and clauses. Directions: Rewrite the following sentences by choosing the verb that will create agreement. If it helps, cross out the intervening phrases or clauses.

Those cattle grazing in the pasture __________________ from Texas Those cattle grazing in the pasture __________________ from Texas. (come/comes) The sack of flour for the wedding cake ______________ heavy. (was/were) The float with the cute animals ____________ winning all the prizes. (is/are) The cheerleaders in our school_______________ the same brand of sneaker. (wear/wears) Both doors to that building_____________ locked. (is/are)

6. The senators who were elected in Virginia ___________________ a press conference. (is calling/are calling) 7. The pastors in our church still ________________________ how to speak Latin perfectly. (remember/remembers) 8. The flock of seagulls_________________________ the tourists. (is chasing/are chasing) 9. The pack of wolves___________________________the injured moose. (was stalking/were stalking.) 10. The team of players _______________________ their coach’s birthday each year. (celebrates/celebrate)