1. Subject Verb Agreement
A Shmoop video to help us understand subject-verb agreement

2. The Basic Rule A verb should agree in number with its subject

3. Singular subjects take singular verbs
The lightning fills the sky.
The singular verb fills agrees with the singular subject lightning.
Jan begins her vacation today.
The singular verb begins agrees with the singular subject Jan.
Notice between the subject and verb only one of those words ends in the letter –s.
Remember singular verbs end in –s.

4. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Cheetahs run fast.
The plural verb run agrees with the plural subject Cheetahs.
New families move into our neighborhood often.
The plural verb move agrees with the plural subject families.
Remember that between the subject and verb only one of those words ends in the letter –s.

5. (helping verbs are in yellow)
When a sentence contains a verb phrase, the first helping verb in the verb phrase agrees with the subject
The motor is running.
The motors are running.
The girl has been delayed.
The girls have been delayed.
(helping verbs are in yellow)

6. Remember our Skills Focus
Demonstrate understanding of correct subject-verb agreement
Use verbs that agree with singular subjects
Use verbs that agree with plural subjects
Recognize and correct errors in subject-verb agreement

7. Time to demonstrate your knowledge of the basic rule
Time to demonstrate your knowledge of the basic rule. Identify the form of verb in parentheses that agrees with its subject.

8. This museum (has, have) been called the best of all the Smithsonian museums.

9. This enormous building (covers, cover) three blocks.

10. Twenty-three galleries (offers, offer) visitors information and entertainment.

11. The different showrooms (deals, deal) with various aspects of air and space travel.

12. As you can see, the exhibits (features, feature) antique aircraft as well as modern spacecraft.

13. In another area, a theater (shows, show) films on a five story high screen.

14. A planetarium (is, are) located on the second floor.

15. Projectors (casts, cast) realistic images of stars on the ceiling.

16. Some tours (is, are) conducted by pilots.

17. In addition, the museum (houses, house) a large research library.

18. Now it’s time to prove you can identify errors in subject-verb agreement and correct those errors.

19. If the sentence is in agreement write CORRECT on your card
If the sentence is in agreement write CORRECT on your card. If the sentence is NOT in agreement, correct the sentence by recording the correct verb on your card.

20. Not Correct change have to HAS because Mexico City is singular
Located in an ancient lake bed, Mexico City have been built on Aztec ruins
Not Correct
change have to HAS
because Mexico City is singular

21. Correct visitors admire
Visitors admire the colorful paintings of Diego Rivera at the National Palace.
Correct
visitors admire

22. Not Correct change stand to STANDS because pyramid is singular
In one of the city’s many subway stations, an Aztec pyramid still stand.
Not Correct
change stand to STANDS
because pyramid is singular

23. Sculptures grace the Alameda, which is Mexico City’s main park.
Correct
Sculptures grace

24. Not Correct change offer to offers because observatory is singular
Atop the Latin American Tower, an observatory offer a great view on a clear day.
Not Correct
change offer to offers
because observatory is singular

25. Not Correct change is to are because walls is plural
At the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the library’s outer walls is famous as works of art.
Not Correct
change is to are
because walls is plural

26. Juan O’Gorman’s huge mosaics shows the cultural history of Mexico.
Not Correct
change shows to show
because mosaics is plural

27. Not Correct change is to are because tourists is plural
Usually, tourists is quite fascinated by the Great Temple of the Aztecs.
Not Correct
change is to are
because tourists is plural

28. Many fiestas fills Mexico City’s social calendar.
Not Correct
change fills to fill
because fiestas is plural

29. In addition, the city has one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world.
Correct
city has

30. STOP Time to Prove Your Own Knowledge Complete Subject-Verb Agreement Worksheet 1-2 (double sided worksheet so complete both sides)