2. Subject Verb Agreement 2009-2010

3. I Agree! The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. Both must be singular or both must be plural Notice the difference between singular and plural forms in the following examples: Example: The student sings. (He or she sings)Singular The children sing. (They sing.)Plural The number of the noun determines the number of the verb.

4. Identifying the subject The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something. You can find the subject of a sentence if you can find the verb. Ask the question, "Who or what 'verbs' or 'verbed'?" and the answer to that question is the subject.

5. Identifying the subject Where is my subject? Most likely, your verb will agree with the first noun to the left of the verb. The Supreme Court judge decides the appropriate penalty. judge Subject is judge decides Verb is decides Singular or plural? Singular or plural?

6. Subject never part of a phrase The group of students is going on a field trip. groupof studentsis going The group of students is going on a field trip. The survey covering seven colleges reveals a growth in enrollment. surveycovering seven colleges reveals The survey covering seven colleges reveals a growth in enrollment.

7. Compound Subjects and If subjects are joined by and, they are considered plural and need a plural verb. The quarterback and the coach are having a conference. quarterback and the coachare having The quarterback and the coach are having a conference.

8. Or or Nor or nor If subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the closer subject. Either the actors or the director is at fault. actorsdirectoris Either the actors or the director is at fault.

9. Indefinite Pronouns Somebody, Someone, Each, Either one, Everyone, Anyone Indefinite Pronouns are considered singular and need singular verbs although they convey plural meaning. Anyonewants has Anyone who wants to pursue higher education has to pass an entrance exams. Everyone on the committee is welcome to express his/her ideas. Everyoneis welcome Everyone on the committee is welcome to express his/her ideas.

10. It depends A few nouns can be either plural or singular, depending on whether they mean a group or separate individuals. Examples: juryis The jury is sequestered. juryare The jury are having an argument.

11. Plural or Singular A few subjects look plural but are really singular or vice versa. newsis spreading. The news of the discovery is spreading. The mass media have publicized the facts. The mass media have publicized the facts. The the facts. The mass media have publicized the facts.

12. Sources Escalas, Maggie. "LEO: Subject Verb Agreement". St. Cloud State University. 11/18/09.