Agreement of Subject and Verb Determining the difference between standard and nonstandard English.

Non-Standard English Nonstandard English is the term used to describe variations in usage that are limited to a particular region, group, or situation. Examples of nonstandard English are local speech dialects and slang words that do not become widely used.

Standard vs. Nonstandard Were you on time? He doesn’t care. They played well. Can you teach me the rules? Hilda and she won easily. Was you on time? He don’t care. They played good. Can you learn me the rules? Hilda and her won easily.

Subject – Verb Rule #1 A Verb agrees with its subject in number. 1.) Singular subjects take singular verbs. Ex. My friend likes algebra.

Subject-Verb Rule #1 2.) Plural subjects take plural verbs. Ex. My friends like algebra.

Subject-Verb Rule #2 The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject. Remember that a verb agrees in number with its subject, not with the object of the preposition. The subject is NEVER part of a prepositional phrase. Ex. The sign near the glass windows explains the exhibit. The paintings of Emilio Sanchez were hanging in the gallery

Subject-Verb Rule #2 Compound prepositions such as together with, in addition to, and along with following the subject do not affect the number of the subject. Ex. Anne, together with her cousins, is backpacking in Nevada this summer.

Class Exercise: What have you learned? Using the Correct Number of Verbs in Sentences with Phrases Following the Subjects.

Question #1 1.The confusion among shoppers (is, are) certainly understandable. 2.Is

Question #2 The traditional system of indicating quantities (makes, make) shopping a guessing game.

Question #3 For example, the quantity printed on yogurt containers (tells, tell) the number of ounces in a container.

Question #4 A shopper on the lookout for bargains (does not, do not) know whether liquid or solid measure is indicated.

Question #5 Different brands of juice (shows, show) the same quantity in different ways.

Question #6 One can with a label showing twenty- four ounces (contains, contain) the same quantity as a can with a label showing one pint eight ounces.

Singular Pronouns The following pronouns are singular: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody. Examples: 1.Each of the athletes runs effortlessly. 2.Neither of the women is ready to start.

Plural Pronouns The following pronouns are plural: several, few, both, many. Example: 1.Few of the athletes have qualified. 2.Several of the runners are exercising.

Singular and Plural The pronouns some, all, most, any, and none may be either singular or plural. 1.Some of the show is funny. 2.Some of the entertainers are funny. 3.All of the cast looks young. 4.All of the performers look young.

The Compound Subject Subjects joined by and take a plural verb. Examples: 1.Leslie Marmon Silko and Mari Evans are poets. 2.Imagery and metaphor help poets express their feelings.

The Compound Subject Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Examples: 1.After dinner, either Anne or Tony loads the dishwasher. 2.Neither the coach nor the principal is happy with the team’s performance.

The Compound Subject When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb. Examples: 1.Neither the losers nor the winner was happy with the outcome of the match. 2.Neither the winner nor the losers were happy with the outcome of the match. ** Because these statements are awkward, they should be avoided when possible. **