Subject & Verb Subject & Verb AgreementAgreement

Rules 2a-2fRules 2a-2f

Rule 2aRule 2a

A verb should always agree with its A verb should always agree with its subject in numbersubject in number

Rule 2aRule 2a

Singular subjects take singular verbsSingular subjects take singular verbs

Ex. She searches for the necklace.Ex. She searches for the necklace.

Ex. He wants pizza for dinner.Ex. He wants pizza for dinner.

Rule 2aRule 2a

Plural subjects take plural verbsPlural subjects take plural verbs

Ex. They search for the necklace.Ex. They search for the necklace.

Ex. We want pizza for dinnerEx. We want pizza for dinner

Remember:Remember:

Nouns that end in s are pluralNouns that end in s are plural

ex. Pens, books, carsex. Pens, books, cars

Verbs that end in s are singularVerbs that end in s are singular

ex. She runs…ex. She runs…

ex. He callsex. He calls

Rule 2BRule 2B

The number of the subject is not The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the changed by a phrase following the subjectsubject

Ex. The Ex. The signsign near the glass doors near the glass doors explainsexplains the theme of the exhibit the theme of the exhibit

Rule 2CRule 2CThe following indefinite pronouns are The following indefinite pronouns are

singular: singular: AnybodyAnybody anyoneanyone anythinganythingEach Each eithereither everybodyeverybodyEveryoneEveryone everythingeverything neitherneitherNobodyNobody no oneno one nothingnothingoneone somebodysomebody someonesomeonesomethingsomething

Rule 2CRule 2C

ExEx. Each. Each of the poems about farm of the poems about farm workers workers was written was written by Gary Soto.by Gary Soto.

EveryoneEveryone in the group in the group likeslikes chocolate.chocolate.

Rule 2dRule 2d

The following indefinite pronouns are The following indefinite pronouns are plural:plural:

bothboth fewfew manymanyseveralseveral

Ex. Both of the poems were written Ex. Both of the poems were written by Soto.by Soto.

Rule 2eRule 2e

The indefinite pronouns The indefinite pronouns all, any, most, none, all, any, most, none, and some and some can be singular or plural depending on can be singular or plural depending on the words they refer tothe words they refer to

Ex. Ex. Some Some of the of the moviemovie is funny. is funny. Ex. Ex. Some Some of the of the actsacts are hilarious. are hilarious.

Rule 2fRule 2f

A compound subject, which is two or A compound subject, which is two or more subjects that have the same more subjects that have the same verb, may be either singular or pluralverb, may be either singular or plural

Rule 2fRule 2f

Subjects joined by Subjects joined by andand usually take usually take the plural form of the verbthe plural form of the verb

Ex. Both Max Ex. Both Max andand Erin like chocolate Erin like chocolate milk.milk.

Rule 2fRule 2f

A compound subject that names only A compound subject that names only one person or thing takes a singular one person or thing takes a singular verbverb

Ex. Macaroni Ex. Macaroni andand cheese cheese makesmakes a a good side dish.good side dish.

Ex. My pen pal Ex. My pen pal andand best friend best friend isis my my cousin.cousin.

Rule 2fRule 2f

Singular subjects joined by Singular subjects joined by or or or or nor nor take a singular verb take a singular verb

Ex. Either the principal Ex. Either the principal or or the coach the coach has to approve it.has to approve it.

Ex. Neither Della Ex. Neither Della nor nor Jim was Jim was disappointed.disappointed.

Rule 2fRule 2f

When a singular subject and a plural When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined bysubject are joined by or or or or nor, nor, the the verb agrees with the subject nearer verb agrees with the subject nearer the verbthe verb

Ex. Neither the losers nor the winner Ex. Neither the losers nor the winner waswas happy with the outcome of the happy with the outcome of the match.match.

Rule 2fRule 2f

Ex. Neither the winner nor the losers Ex. Neither the winner nor the losers werewere happy with the outcome of the happy with the outcome of the match.match.

Rule 2hRule 2h

A collective noun takes a singular A collective noun takes a singular verb when the noun refers to the verb when the noun refers to the group as a unit and takes a plural group as a unit and takes a plural verb when the noun refers to the verb when the noun refers to the individual parts or members of the individual parts or members of the groupgroup

Rule 2h-Collective NounsRule 2h-Collective Nouns

ArmyArmy clubclubAssemblyAssembly committeecommitteeAudienceAudience couplecoupleBandBand crewcrewCastCast crowdcrowdChorusChorus familyfamily

Rule 2h Collective NounsRule 2h Collective Nouns

ClassClass flockflockGroupGroup publicpublicHerdHerd squadsquad JuryJury staffstaffMajorityMajority swarmswarmNumberNumber teamteamPackPack trooptroop

Rule 2h Collective NounsRule 2h Collective Nouns

PairPair wildlifewildlife

Rule 2hRule 2h

Ex. The Ex. The class class has/have elected has/have elected its its officers.officers.

What is the subject of this sentence?What is the subject of this sentence?

What do you need to know about the subject What do you need to know about the subject to determine which verb you will use?to determine which verb you will use?

Rule 2hRule 2h

Class is acting as a unit/singularClass is acting as a unit/singular

Answer: The class has elected its Answer: The class has elected its officers.officers.

Rule 2hRule 2h

Ex. The jury Ex. The jury is/are is/are still arguing still arguing among themselves.among themselves.

What is the subject of this sentence?What is the subject of this sentence? What do you need to know about the What do you need to know about the

subject to determine which verb you will subject to determine which verb you will use?use?

Rule 2iRule 2i

A verb agrees with its subject, not A verb agrees with its subject, not with its predicate nominativewith its predicate nominative

Predicate nominative-follows a Predicate nominative-follows a linking verb and explains or identifies linking verb and explains or identifies the subject of the verbthe subject of the verb

Ex. The main Ex. The main attractionattraction is the is the marching bands.marching bands.

Rule 2jRule 2j

A verb agrees with its subject, even if A verb agrees with its subject, even if the verb comes before the subject as in the verb comes before the subject as in sentences that begin with sentences that begin with here here or or therethere

Ex. Here is my Ex. Here is my drawing drawing of the Cyclops. of the Cyclops.

Ex. Here are my Ex. Here are my drawings drawings of the of the Cyclops.Cyclops.

Rule 2kRule 2k

An expression of an amount (length An expression of an amount (length of time, a statistic, or a fraction) can of time, a statistic, or a fraction) can be singular or plural depending on be singular or plural depending on what it refers towhat it refers to

Ex. Twenty dollars is/are stuck Ex. Twenty dollars is/are stuck together.together.

Rule 2kRule 2k

Ex. Three fourths of the barrels Ex. Three fourths of the barrels have/has been loaded.have/has been loaded.

Ex. Twenty dollars is/are the amount Ex. Twenty dollars is/are the amount Della receives for her hair.Della receives for her hair.

Rule 2lRule 2l

The title of a creative work (book, The title of a creative work (book, song, film, or painting) or the name song, film, or painting) or the name of an organization, a country, or a of an organization, a country, or a city (even if its plural in form) takes a city (even if its plural in form) takes a singular verbsingular verb

Rule 2lRule 2l

Ex. “Marigolds” is a story by Eugenia Ex. “Marigolds” is a story by Eugenia W. Collier.W. Collier.

Ex. The Netherlands has thousands Ex. The Netherlands has thousands of canals.of canals.

Rule 2mRule 2m

A few nouns, although plural in form, A few nouns, although plural in form, take singular verbstake singular verbs

Ex. The Ex. The news news of the nominee for the of the nominee for the Supreme Court Supreme Court was was a surprise to a surprise to many observers.many observers.

Rule 2mRule 2m

Some nouns that end in –s take a Some nouns that end in –s take a plural verb even though they refer to a plural verb even though they refer to a single itemsingle item

Ex. The Ex. The scissors scissors need to be need to be sharpened.sharpened.

Ex. Were these Ex. Were these pants pants on sale?on sale?Ex. The Ex. The pliers pliers are next to the wrench.are next to the wrench.