Subject – Verb Agreement

Simple Agreement A verb must agree with its subject in person and number. In the present tense, add “s” or “es” to the base form for the third person singular. Remember to make a noun plural you add an “s” or “es”, but a verb is just the opposite you add an “s” or “es” to make it singular. Example: SingularPlural She runsThey run He watchesThey watch

Simple Agreement In verb phrases, the helping verbs be, have, and do change forms to agree with third person subjects. Examples: SingularPlural It is green.They are green. He was sick.They were sick. She has fallen down.They have fallen down. Does she like to ski?Do they like to ski?

Intervening Prepositional Phrases The verb must agree with the subject of the sentence, not with the object of a preposition. Therefore, the subject of a sentence is never contained in the prepositional phrase. The collection of rare stamps was very valuable. The puppies in the basket have brown fur. Prepositional Phraseverbsubject Prepositional Phraseverbsubject

Linking Verbs In sentences with linking verbs, the verb agrees with the subject, not the predicate nominative. Roses and Lavender make a lovely bouquet. Unfortunately, the result of the discussion was more disagreements. subjectverb Predicate nominative subject verb Predicate nominative

Inverted Sentences In most sentences the subject comes before the verb. However, some inverted sentences begin with a prepositional phrase followed by the verb and then the subject. Remember the verb must agree with the subject and not the object of the prepositional phrase. Up into the sky fly the birds. From the rafters hang the decorations. subjectverb subjectverb Prepositional Phrase

Inverted Sentences In sentences that begin with here or there, DO NOT confuse either word with the subject. Look for the subject after the verb. Here is my driver’s licenseThere are many cars on this highway. Questions are inverted sentences. A helping verb often comes before the subject. Does Jamie Have a pencil?Do all of the students have books? subjectverbsubjectverb subjectverb subjectverb

Special Subjects A collective noun names a group. In a sentence, a collective noun is singular when it names the group as a whole. It is plural when it refers to individual members of a group. Singular: The club holds a dance. The team wins the game. Plural:The class volunteer time. A noun of amount can refer to a single unit, in which case it is singular. It can also refer to several individual units, in which case it is plural. Singular: Two weeks is not enough time to see Europe. Plural: Your five days of probation are up.

Special Subjects Some nouns ending in “s” take a singular form while others remain plural. Many nouns that end in “ics” are either singular or plural, depending on the context. Singular: Mumps is usually a childhood disease. Plural: The scissors need to be sharpened. Singular:Ethics is the study of principles of conduct. Plural:That politician’s ethics have a lot to be desired.

Compound Subjects A compound subject that is joined by and or both….and is usually plural. Some compound subjects have two parts that make up one unit, these take a singular verb. Singular:Bacon and eggs is my favorite breakfast. Plural:The dog and cat are playing. Plural:Both Anna and Mindy work at the hospital. Compound subjects joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor always have a verb that agrees with the closer subject. Singular:Either Carlo or Max has the book. Singular:Neither eggs nor bacon is on the menu. Plural:Neither Ed nor the boys have much to say.

Compound Subjects When a compound subject is preceded by many a, every, or each, the subject takes a singular verb. Many a hiker and climber has gotten lost in these mountains. Every door and window has been locked. Each nook and cranny is being searched. Every car and truck pays a toll on the highway. Many a horse and cow has lived in this barn.

Intervening Expressions Certain expressions seem to create compound subjects, but DO NOT. Accompanied by, as well as, in addition to, and together with are expressions that introduce phrases that tell about the subject. The subject remains singular and takes a singular verb. Nebraska, as well as Montana and Idaho, gets severe winters. Dan, plus Andrea and John, plays the piano. Jean, accompanied by her friends, goes skiing every winter. subjectverb subjectverb Intervening expression subjectverbIntervening expression

Indefinite Pronouns Many subjects are indefinite pronouns. A verb must agree with the indefinite pronoun used as the subject. Singular:Nobody in the group is to blame. Singular:Neither is ready. Singular:One of my friends speaks Greek. Plural: Both of my sisters are in the play. Plural:Many of the students play tennis. prepositional phrasesubjectverb subjectverb prepositional phrase subject verb prepositional phrase subject verb prepositional phrase subject verb

Indefinite Pronouns Some pronouns can be either singular or plural, depending on the nouns to which they refer. Singular:Some of the cake is gone. Plural:Some of the houses need paint. Singular:All of the pizza is gone. Plural:All of the coats are on sale.

Subject Verb Agreement