1. Subject-Verb Agreement

2. Rule 1: Verbs must agree with their subjects in NUMBER
If the subject is SINGULAR, the verb must be in its SINGULAR form
If the subject is PLURAL, the verb must be in its PLURAL form
Hint: a noun that ends in “s” is usually plural, but a verb that ends in “s” is usually singular.
Examples: The student helps the old lady across the street.
The students help the old lady across the street.

3. Rule 2: Ignore phrases lurking in the sentence
Sometimes a phrase that is hiding between the subject and verb can be confusing.
For example:
The Smith family dog, loved by neighbors, barks every evening until midnight.

4. Let’s review phrases, shall we?
A phrase is a group of related words that acts as one part of speech. Phrases do not have a subject or verb.
Prepositional phrases
Participial Phrases
Appositive Phrases
Gerund Phrases
Infinitive Phrases

5. Why is recognizing a phrase important?
…When a phrase is stuck between the subject and verb, the number of the subject does NOT change.
Ex: The success of our students is reflected in their performance after high school. (subject- success/ verb – is)

6. Rule 3: Compound Subjects
Contain two or more simple subjects.
Compound subjects can take either singular or plural verbs.
When the parts are joined by AND, the verb is plural
When the parts are joined by OR or NOR, the verb agrees with the closest part of the subject

7. For example… Joe and Bob are best friends.
Neither Joe nor Bob is a friend of mine. (Bob is closest and singular)
But…
Either cake or cookies are my favorite snack. (cookies is closest to verb, therefore plural)

8. Try & Check Pg. 109 Part B #1-5 Pg. 113 Part A #1-5 and Part B #1-5

9. Pg. 109 Part B #1-5
produce
commutes
weighs
hold
were

10. Pg. 113 Part A #1-5 and Part B #1-5
Part A Part B 1. include 1. identifies 2. pierce 2. are 3. moves 3. Correct 4. are 4. devour 5. attack 5. was bitten

11. Pg. 115 Part A #1-5 school, experience are ingredients, appearance is
chefs, amateurs find
oven, ovens cause
sauces, garnish makes