Subject Verb Agreement Basic Definition and Prepositions

Subject Verb Agreement A verb must agree with its subject in numberA verb must agree with its subject in number –Singular subjects take singular verbs

Subject Verb Agreement The candle burns slowlyThe candle burns slowly SVSVSVSV The car comes to a sudden stop

Subject Verb Agreement Plural subjects take plural verbsPlural subjects take plural verbs –The candles burn slowly SVSVSVSV –The prisoners walk in the exercise yard

Subject Verb Agreement How can you tell if the verb is singular or plural?How can you tell if the verb is singular or plural? –Replace the subject with he or they. –You should be able to hear if it is correct or not

Subject Verb Agreement He walk (Does this sound correct?)He walk (Does this sound correct?) –He is singular and it does not fit the verb. They walk (Does this sound correct?)They walk (Does this sound correct?) –They is plural and it does fit the verb.

Prepositional phrases between subject and verb Students often commit agreement errors because they mistake words in prepositional phrases for the subjects of verbsStudents often commit agreement errors because they mistake words in prepositional phrases for the subjects of verbs The many lights on the Christmas tree makes it look very festive.The many lights on the Christmas tree makes it look very festive. [Lights, not tree, is the subject.] The many lights on the Christmas tree make it look very festive.The many lights on the Christmas tree make it look very festive.

Prepositional Phrases AboardBehindFromThroughout AboutBelowInTo AboveBeneathIntoToward AcrossBesideLikeUnder AfterBetweenNearUnderneath AgainstBeyondOfUntil Along But (except) OffUnto AmidByOnUp AmongDownOverUpon AroundDuringPastWith AtExceptSinceWithin BeforeForThroughWithout

Prepositional Phrases When there is a prepositional phrase, one should cross out the phrase in order to see the subject and verb agreement.When there is a prepositional phrase, one should cross out the phrase in order to see the subject and verb agreement. 1. Many dogwood trees on my street are in bloom.1. Many dogwood trees on my street are in bloom.

Prepositional Phrases 2. Her paper on rare American stamps needs editing.2. Her paper on rare American stamps needs editing. 3. Your opinion of the candidates gives the pollster important information.3. Your opinion of the candidates gives the pollster important information. 4. The scientists at Cape Canaveral work many extra hours during a launch4. The scientists at Cape Canaveral work many extra hours during a launch 5. Some students in the class volunteer for outside assignments.5. Some students in the class volunteer for outside assignments.