1. Subject-Verb Agreement
University Learning Center
PC 247 / AC I 160
Developed by Chris Losa

2. Keep Your Eyes Open
 Althoughoften overlooked, problems with Subject-
Verb Agreement are REAL!
 To
help avoid these errors, we will discuss:
How to make Subjects and Verbs agree in number,
What to do with tricky subjects like Each and Every,
What to do with compound subjects
 Learn to spot and correct these errors and become a

3. Recognizing Subjects and
Verbs
Acomplete sentence must have a SUBJECT and a
VERB.
 The subject is the who or what that performs the
action.
 The verb is the action word.

4. Spot the Subject and Verb
 The players on our side are strong.
 The players on our side are strong.
 Players is the subject and are is the verb.
 Once you’ve identified the Subject and the Verb,
you have to make sure they agree in Number.
 Singular subjects require singular verbs and plural
subjects require plural verbs.

5. What Next?
 An easy way to make your subjects and
verbs agree is to think about the S.
 Usually, plural nouns end with the letter S
and singular nouns do not.
 Verbs are the opposite:
 For the most part, singular verbs end with
the letter S and plural verbs do not.

6. Therefore . . .
 The carS run, but the car runS.
 The plural noun cars takes the plural verb
run. There is only one S in the pair.
 The singular noun car takes the singular
verb runs. Again, There is only one S in the
pair.

7. BEWARE
 Compound subjects do not end with S.
 Instead, compound subjects consist of two
or more subjects joined by and.
 We treat these subjects like any other plural
subject.
 The student and the instructor work long
hours.

8. BEWARE
 Thestudent and the instructor work long
hours.
 Thesubject consists of two people.
Therefore, it is plural.

9. BEWARE
 BE CAREFUL!
 When subjects are joined by and and
combine to form a single thing or person,
they are treated like a singular subject.
 Usea singular verb with such compound
subjects.

10. Example:
 Spaghetti
and meatballs has a place on
many menus.
 Spaghetti and meatballs is acting as a unit,
as a singular subject.

11. Using Each and Every
 Each and Every are singular pronouns.
 Therefore, they require singular verbs.
 Every flying saucer was glowing.

12. Using Each and Every
BEWARE!
 You always use a singular verb with each
and every, even if they precede subjects
joined by and.
 Each alien hand and foot leaves a distinct
print.

13. Compound Subjects Joined
By Words Like Or
 Be careful when your subjects are joined by
the following words:
 or
 nor
 either. . . or
 neither . . . nor
 not only . . . but (also)

14. Compound Subjects Joined
By Words Like Or
 Insuch cases, the verb agrees with the
subject nearest it.
 Example:
Either the instructors or the student knows
the answer.
 Try to ignore everything before the final
subject

15. Compound Subjects Joined
By Words Like Or
 Either the instructors or the student knows
the answer.
 The singular subject student requires the
singular verb knows.

16. What if the Subject is an
Indefinite Pronoun?
 Indefinite Pronouns refer to nonspecific
people or things. They are usually singular
and require singular verbs.

17. What if the Subject is an
Indefinite Pronoun?
 Thefollowing common Indefinite Pronouns
usually take singular verbs:
 Another each everything nothing
anybody either neither somebody
anyone every nobody someone
anything everyone no one
something

18. What if the Subject is an
Indefinite Pronoun?
 BEWARE! A few indefinite pronouns—
none, some, more, most, any, and all—can
be either singular or plural, depending on
the context.
 Example:
 Some of our streams are polluted; some
pollution is reversible, but all pollution is a
threat to nature

19. Making Verbs Agree With the
Antecedents of Who, Which,
and That
 When Who, Which, or That starts a clause,
the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun to
which Who, Which, or That refers (its
Antecedent).

20. Making Verbs Agree With the
Antecedents of Who, Which,
and That
 Thescientist will share information with the
students who work with her.
 George Jones is the student who works in
the lab.

21. Using Singular Verbs with
Titles and Terms
 Titlesand terms are treated as singular
subjects–even if they contain plural words.
 Examples:
 Les Miserables is a popular musical.
 “Disciplinary measures” is a euphemism
for punishment.

22. You’ve Been Warned
 See if you can spot Subject-Verb Agreement errors.
 Subjects and Verbs must agree in number.
 Be careful with subjects like Each and Every—these
are singular.
 Pay close attention to subjects joined with words
like and and or—these subjects can be either
singular or plural.

23. Information Cited and
Paraphrased from
Troyka, Lynn Q. Quick Access: Reference
For Writers. 3rd Ed. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall, 2001.

24. Thank You for Joining Us!
 You can also visit us at
the learning center
(PC 247 / AC I 160) or
call to make an
appointment with a tutor.
 UP: (305) 348-2180
 BB: (305) 919-5927