Ms. Roule – October 22, 2014 ENGLISH 3

 Bellringer – comma review  Agenda Topics:  Subject-Verb Agreement – Notes and Practice AGENDA

 Answer questions on handout – do not write on the handout! BELLRINGER

 Number refers to the form of a word that indicates whether it is singular or plural. A verb must agree with its subject in number SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 Singular subjects indicate one and require a singular verb.  The author writes.  The champion boxes. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 Plural subjects indicate more than one and require a plural verb.  The authors write.  The champions box. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 Don’t mistake a word in an interrupting phrase or clause for the subject of a sentence.  The simple subject is never in a prepositional phrase, so make sure the verb agrees with the actual subject and not with the object of the preposition. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

But some stuff likes to get in the way of subjects and verbs…don’t let it fool you! Here are some examples of this…

 The paper in those boxes is for the copy machine.  Where is the prepositional phrase in this sentence?  What is the subject of this sentence? SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 If a singular subject is linked to another noun by a phrase, the subject is still considered singular  Fried rice, along with wonton soup, makes a delicious meal. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 Appositives and adjective clauses give information about the subject but don’t change its number. Make sure you don’t confuse a word in an appositive or adjective clause for the subject. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 Appositives  Emma, one of my good friends, visits Australia every year.  Adjective clauses  The rivers that bordered Mesopotamia are the Tigris and the Euphrates. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

 A compound subject that is joined by and or both…and is plural unless its parts belong to one unit or they both refer to the same person or thing. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT: COMPOUND SUBJECTS

 The Tigris and the Euphrates flow through southwestern Asia.  Both rivers and streams provide irrigation for farmland. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT: COMPOUND SUBJECTS

 Toast and tea is my favorite breakfast. (one unit)  Her friend and companion is George. (one person) SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT: COMPOUND SUBJECTS

 A compound subject that is joined by or or nor (or either…or, neither…nor) the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT: COMPOUND SUBJECTS

 Either the tortoise or the hare wins the race.  Raisins or an apple makes a good snack.  Neither Kara nor her friends like winter.  Neither foxes or dogs eat only meat. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT: COMPOUND SUBJECTS

 Complete practice exercises on page 218 (#1-10) and 219 (#1-10)  READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY, AND FOLLOW THEM! SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT: PRACTICE