Subject-Verb Agreement In present tense verbs

Subjects & Verbs… Sentences should have subjects and verbs that make sense together. subjectverb +

These notes focus on the PRESENT tense. NOW SHOWING Present Tense = Today Present Tense = Today, right now

Breaking down a verb Singular 1 st person: I see 2 nd person: you see 3 rd person: he/she/it seesPlural 1 st person: we see 2 nd person: you see 3 rd person: they see

Present Tense Verbs The main challenge: Should the verb end in “s”? sShe see They jump We drive He save No “s” needed s

When to use “s” Singular 1 st person: I see 2 nd person: you see 3 rd person: he/she/it seesPlural 1 st person: we see 2 nd person: you see 3 rd person: they see 3 rd person singular = he, she, it 3 rd person: he/she/it sees

Today… I run You run He runs She runs It runs We run You run They run The verbs for he, she, it end in “ s ”

3 rd person singular: add 3 rd person singular: add s Infinitive verb 3 rd person singular (to walk)…….…..……..……..he/she/it walk (to drive)… he/she/it drive (to buy) ……………….…….. he/she/it buy (to look) ……….……..….…..he/she/it look (to reach) …….………….…..he/she/it reach (to analyze) …….….………..he/she/it analyze s es s s s s

The rule of “s” If the subject ends in s, the verb most likely won't. subject: Boys verb: run Dogssleep Verb has no “s” Subject has “s”

The rule of “s” If the subject has no “s,” the verb WILL end in “s.” subject: Boy verb: runs Dogsleeps Verb has “s” NO “s”

Do not use “s” on both subject & verb The rule of “s” subject: Boys verb: runs Dogssleeps

In most cases, either the subject or the verb will end in s… but not both. The rule of “s” Boys runBoy runsBoys runs

Do’s and Don’ts of “s” Don’t: girls runs Do: Do: girl run s s / she run s / they run / they runs

Do’s and Don’ts of “s” Do: Do: door open Don’t: Don’t: doors opens s s

Verbs: to be to go to do to have Verbs with frequent agreement errors

VERB “TO BE” Present tense verbs

Verb “to be” The verb “to be” means “to exist” I be on the internet! am be verb

Verb “to be” to be I am you are he/she/it is we are you are they are singularplural

Verb “to be” The verb “to be” changes depending upon the subject. She is on the computer.We are on the computer.They are on the computer.

If the verb “to be” were like other verbs, then we would say: But obviously the verb “to be” is NOT like other verbs. I be online. He be online. We be online. You be online. They be online. am is are

Errors with “to be” Most people never say: “He are unhappy.” I am you are he/she/it is we are you are they are The teachers at my school is unhappy about the pay cuts. Errors mostly occur with “they.” are

VERB “TO DO” Present tense verbs

Verb: to do I do you do he/she/it does we do you do they do 3 rd person singular = he, she, it Singular Plural He do not want to go. incorrect does Correct

Fluffy loves to shred toilet paper. He do it all the time! incorrect does Correct

Muffin is hiding in the couch. She do that when she’s nervous. incorrect does Correct

VERB “TO GO” Present tense verbs

Verb: to go I go you go he/she/it goes we go you go they go 3 rd person singular = he, she, it Singular Plural She go to church with her sister. incorrect goes Correct

Kitty always go to the nail salon on Friday. incorrect goes Correct

My cats never goes to sleep until after 2:00am. incorrect go Correct We’re not sleepy yet!

VERB “TO HAVE” Present tense verbs

Verb: to have I have you have he/she/it has we have you have they have 3 rd person singular = he, she, it Singular Plural He have everything he needs. incorrect has Correct

My neighbor have the music turned up too high. incorrect has Correct I’m a dancing machine!

My copies of the photo has a black smear on the side. incorrect have Correct

Challenge: Subject-Verb Agreement Can you choose the correct sentence?

Which is correct? My uncle always buy donuts for us on Saturday. My uncle always buys donuts for us on Saturday. (he buys )

Which is correct? Shana and Marlene usually go home together. Shana and Marlene usually goes home together. (they go )

Which is correct? My baby do not like to eat mushy cereal. My baby does not like to eat mushy cereal. (he does) I like to play with it though!

Which is correct? My grandma is the kind of shopper who always has a list. My grandma is the kind of shopper who always have a list. (she has )

Which is correct? The children does most of the housework. The children do most of the housework. (they do)

Remember: Girl run s When the subject has an “ s ” the verb has NO “ s ” Girl run When the verb has an “s” s the subject has NO “ s ”

Presentation end s Subject-Verb Agreement End of presentation. Presentation s end