RULES ON SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT Presentation by Ankita Mishra Priya Singh Kumar Satyam Bipul Biplav Jyotirmay Saha (TL)

Basic Rule: Singular subjects need singular verbs. Plural subjects need plural verbs

Examples Singular Subject Singular Verb Old Dan bellows Little Ann shares Fire glows Mama fixes

Rule-1 If two subjects are joined by “AND”, they typically require a plural verb form. EXAMPLE A pencil and an eraser makes writing easier. (INCORRECT) A pencil and an eraser make writing easier. (CORRECT)

Rule-1 Time and tide waits for none. The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by and refer to the same person or thing. EXAMPLE Time and tide waits for none. Breaking and Entering is against the law.

Rule-2 Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along with are not the same as AND. The phrase introduced by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word , but it does not compound the subjects (as the word AND would do).

Example: The mayor as well as his brothers _____ going to prison. What should be the verb ????? The mayor as well as his brothers is going to prison.

Rule-3 Don’t be confused by either/or and neither/nor. If the subjects are both singular/plural and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also the verb is singular/plural.

Example: Jessica or Christian ????? to blame for the accident. Neither Abhigyan nor Abhinandan ????? capable of scoring a goal . Not only the players but also the fans ????? shocked to be in championship WHAT SHOULD BE THE VERBS????

Example- Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident. Neither Abhigyan nor Abhinandan is capable of scoring a goal . Not only the players but also the fans were shocked to be in championship

Rule-4 If one of the words each, every, or no comes before the subject, the verb is singular. Example No smoking or drinking _____ allowed. Every man and woman is required to check in. is

Rule-5 Don’t be confused by plural words that come after the verb. Example Billy’s biggest problem ???? the many sleepless nights. Billy’s biggest problem is the many sleepless nights.

Rule-6 If your sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject and one is plural, the other singular, the verb should agree with the positive subject. Example The department members but not the chair _____ decided not to teach on Valentine's Day. HAVE

Rule-7 When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly. Example There ______ a problem with the balance sheet.  IS Here  ______  the papers you requested. ARE

Rule-8 Sums and products of mathematical processes are expressed as singular and require singular verbs. The expression "more than one" (oddly enough) takes a singular verb. Example: More than one student HAS tried this. Two and two is four. . Four times four divided by two is eight.

Rule-9 Don’t be confused by plural words that come after the verb. The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement or time. Example Example Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running. .

Rule-10 Don’t be confused by plural words that come between a singular subject and the verb. Example The topic of these books ____ dogs. IS Every one of the members of both hunting teams _____ here. IS

ANY CONFUSION??

11. Which of the following is written correctly? Billy want to go to school. Grandpa loves to tease Billy. Daisy give milk each day. Papa please Mama with a hug.

12. Which of the following sentences does not contain a mistake? She eat the candy one piece at a time. News spread quickly through the mountains. Neither Billy or his grandpa like eating raw eggs . Wilson Rawls narrates a wonderful story!  

13. Choose the answer that is written correctly. One of the dogs bellows through the night. The woman with all the dogs talk to Billy at the store. The boy on the playground fight Billy. Everybody play games in the schoolyard.  

14. Which of the following sentences does not contain a mistake? The family love to eat dinner at 6:00 P.M. Everyone sees Billy in his overalls. An old K. C. Baking Powder can fill to the top with coins. Billy count his money every day until he has enough to buy the pups.  

15. Choose the answer that is written correctly. Each day brings a new joy to Billy. Either Little Ann or Old Dan play games through the woods going home. Billy love his grandpa. It sound like the mountain lion would cry all night long.  

1. Billy (fix, fixes) breakfast before heading home. 2. The boy pup (play, plays) with the girl pup. 3. Each of the names (sound, sounds) perfect to Billy's ears. 4. With his extra money, Billy (buy, buys) gifts for his family.

5. Ma (cry, cries) with relief when she sees that Billy is safe. 6. Billy names the boy pup Old Dan. He (like, likes) the sound of the name. 7. Billy tells his sisters about the soda pop. It (taste, tastes) sweet and bubbly.

8. The fire escape was a pipe that ran up the side of the building 8. The fire escape was a pipe that ran up the side of the building. It (appear, appears) funny-looking. 9. Little Ann was the smartest of the two hounds. She (guide, guides) Old Dan out of trouble. 10. Papa easily forgives Billy for running off. He (know, knows) he would have done the same thing at Billy's age.