DO NOW: Describe a time in your life when you experienced physical pain and shock. Is the memory still clear?

Subject-Verb Agreement

First of all, what is a Subject? Subject : The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something.

The Subject and a Verb of a sentence must agree Singular subjects (just one) must have singular verbs (example: Jonas is nervous that Gabriel is going to be released.) Plural subjects must have plural verbs (example: The Elders watch the plane overhead and call The Giver for Advice.)

OK…but how could we do that wrong? CORRECT: Jonas is nervous that Gabriel is going to be released. Incorrect: Jonas are nervous that Gabriel are going to be released. CORRECT: The Elders watch the plane overhead and call The Giver for advice. Incorrect: The Elders watches the plane overhead and calls The Giver for advice.

Let’s try an example… Several members of the community______ concerned that Jonas _____ acting strange. Relief-of-Pain _____ the best remedy for cuts that _____ deep and painful. are is are

Helpful Hints** Singular verbs end in an s (is, was, jumps, studies) – Plural verbs do not (are, were, jump, study) Singular subjects generally do not end in an s (Jonas, I, he, she, dog) – Plural subjects generally do (the community members, teachers, they, nurses, dogs)

Compound Subjects: When two or more nouns are present in a sentence they are they are called compound subjects: pens, pencils, and rulers are important school supplies. – Compound subjects are plural

Subjects joined by “AND” When a sentence has more than one subject and those subjects are joined by “and,” the verb must be plural. Example: One Direction “and” Justin Bieber are both questionably talented artists. The Giver and final review make this Friday the best Friday ever!

Singular Subjects Joined by “or” When singular subjects are joined by “or” the verb should always be singular. For Example: Either Jonas or Gabriel is receiving the memory. My sister or my dog was the one who ate the dinner off of my plate.

Compound Subjects joined by “or” When compound subjects (more than one noun) are joined by “or” the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to the verb. For Example: Either Jonas or Jonas’ parents are going to sleep soundly through the night. Either The Elders or The Giver is going to take control of the community.