This document discusses the basic rules of subject-verb agreement in sentences. It explains that the subject is who or what the sentence is about, and the verb is the action or state of being. For the subject and verb to agree, their number - singular or plural - must match. Singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. There are also rules for compound subjects, pronouns as subjects, and subjects joined by connectors like "and", "or", and "nor". Examples are provided to illustrate each rule of subject-verb agreement.
3. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
SUBJECTS
The subject is what the sentence is about. It’s the
WHO that does something.
Example:
The cat ate some cheese.
My sister and I love to dance.
While riding my bike, I ran over an acorn.
4. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
VERB
The state is an action or state of being.
Example:
The girl ate a hotdog.
My sister dances for hours.
You are my friend.
My sister was tired.
5. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT & NUMBER
• When things agree they are the same.
• Number just means singular or plural.
They must be both singular or
both be plural.
7. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
Singular subjects > verbs in singular form end in –s or use
singular helping verbs.
The great mass starts to break into little pieces.
The water is also turning gray and somewhat murky.
The sky was puzzled at the water’s behavior.
The prehistoric bird has made several attempts to fly as
far as it can.
8. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
Plural subjects go with plural verbs in base form and with
plural helpng verbs.
The water’s deep breaths fill the clouds with water.
Lightning flashes are hitting the water and the land.
Huge waves were pelted against the sky.
Little pieces have been scattered far away from the
main land.
10. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
Singular pronouns > singular verbs
Plural pronouns > plural verbs
He has fulfilled his wish of traveling far and wide.
It is a story about wisdom.
We talk to the girl.
They are all prepared for school.
11. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
I and you (singular) , require PLURAL forms of verbs.
I talk to the girl.
I like to swim at the neighborhood pool.
John, you talk to the girl.
You were invited to come.
12. Let’s Practice!
1. The student (raise, raises) her hand.
2. The dog (eat, eats) my homework.
3. My grandparents (train, trains) dogs.
4. They (own, owns) the red car.
5. His son (has, have) been kidnapped.
6. She (is, are) the new teacher.
7. They (are, is) good at playing basketball.
8. You (is, are) the only one who can quickly solve
this puzzle.
13. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
Compound subjects joined by ‘and’ take the plural verb.
Example:
Ninoy Aquino and his wife were not afraid to
speak for their rights and the rights of others.
Compound
Subject
Connector Verb
Ninoy Aquino
his wife
and were
14. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
Compound subjects connected by ‘and’ BUT preceded but
‘each, ‘every’, or ‘no’ require a singular verb.
Example:
Each boy and girl was given a medal.
Every grade five and grade six pupils is required
to join the parade.
15. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
When a compound subject is joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ the verb
agrees with the nearer subject.
Example:
Either Elisa or her friends are coming.
Either his friends or Carlo is coming.
16. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
When the special pronoun “I” is one of the two subjects
connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it second and
follow it with the singular verb “am”
Example:
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
Either him or I am in charge of the program.
17. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
When “either” and “neither” are subjects, they always take
singular verbs.
Example:
Neither of them is available to speak right now.
Either of us is capable of doing the job.
18. Let’s Practice!
1. The pupils and teachers (is, are) participating in
the activities.
2. Men and women (has, have) something in
common.
3. Either Marissa or Melissa (is, are) coming.
4. Every Filipinos and Americans (is, are) included
with the policy.
5. Adam and Eve (was, were) deceived by the
snake.
Editor's Notes
In sentences the subject and the verb have to agree in number. Well, what does it mean?
Let’s break it down. We’re going to talk about: click…
The action verbs are the easiest to find, because they are verbs of DOING.
A state of being verb shows that something EXISTS. OR what we so called as linking VERB.
So in order for your subject and verb to agree in number…
A Singular subject generally requires a verb in singular form, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
In the following examples with singular subjects, note how verbs in singular form end in –s or use singular helping verbs.
Note also that plural subjects go with plural verbs in base form and with plural helping verbs.
Singular pronouns, with the exception of the pronoun I, also require singular verbs and plural prnouns. Require verbs in plural form.
Singular pronouns, with the exception of the pronoun I, also require singular verbs and plural prnouns. Require verbs in plural form.
More example:
You are asked to clean the room.
You sing so well.
Raises - Singular subject, singular verb
Eats - Singular subject, singular verb
Train - plural subject, plural verbs
Own - plural subject, plural verbs
Has -- singular pronoun, singular verbs
Is - “
Are -- plural pronoun, plural verbs
Are --- plural You, plural verb
1. Are - Compound subjects joined by ‘and’ take the plural verb.
2. Have “
3. Is - When a compound subject is joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
4. Is -- Compound subjects connected by ‘and’ BUT preceded but ‘each, ‘every’, or ‘no’ require a singular verb.
5. Were - Compound subjects joined by ‘and’ take the plural verb.
