This document discusses subject-verb agreement and some of the common issues that can cause disagreement. It provides examples of singular and plural subjects and the verbs that correctly correspond to them. It also discusses how certain pronouns like everyone, all, some, none can be singular even though they appear plural and how that affects verb choice. The document concludes with a practice section where the reader identifies errors in subject-verb agreement in sample sentences.

1. Subject-Verb
Agreement
A Project LA Activity

2. Basic Rule
Singular subjects need
singular verbs.
Plural subjects need
plural verbs.

3. These create problems:
Pronouns such as everyone and
everybody seem plural, but they are
always singular — so they need a
singular verb.
1. Everyone who worked on the
science project is a winner.
2. Someone has to answer the
phone.

4. These create problems:
Phrases that come between the
subject pronoun and its verb —may
contain plural words and confuse.
Each of the basketball
players is excited about
tonight’s game.

5. These create problems:
• Verbs that accompany pronouns such
as all and some will be determined by
whether the pronoun is referring to
something that is COUNTABLE or
not.
1. Some of the workers on
the building have left for the
day. You could count
the workers.

6. These create problems:
• Verbs that accompany pronouns such
as all and some will be determined by
whether the pronoun is referring to
something that is COUNTABLE or
not.
1. Some of the salt was
spilled on the floor.
Salt is considered
one lump item.

7. These create problems:
• None is usually regarded as singular,
but it can be used as a plural
pronoun.
None of the boys has helped at the
game.
OR
None of the boys have helped at the
game.
Either is correct!

8. These create problems:
Phrases such as together with, along with,
and as well as seem to combine subjects,
but they do not .
Some of the tile in our room, as well
as the hall, was soaked.
The major problem we had, together
with that of our teacher, was
tardiness. Don’t be fooled
by extra phrases!

9. These create problems:
When either and neither appear as a
subject alone (without the words or
and nor), they are singular.
1. Either of those answers seems to
be right.
2. You can have the bed by the
window or the one by the door.
Either is okay with me. Seems like plural
things!

10. These create problems:
The words there and here are never
subjects.
1.Here are the papers you gave me.
2.Here is my answer.
Here is not
the subject.

11. These create problems:
Verbs in the present tense for third-
person, singular subjects (he, she, it
and anything those words can stand
for) have s-endings. Other verbs do
not add s-endings.
1.He asks for help.
2.She asks for help.
3.They ask for help.
Tricky subject
pronouns

12. Let’s Try These!
Directions: On a sheet of paper, if the
subject and verb are in agreement
write "correct." If they are not, write
the word that is the correct answer.
Ready?

13. Bill am going to the store.
a) correct
b) is
c) was
d) were
e) does

14. Bill am going to the store.
a) correct
b) is ✔
c) was
d) were
e) does

15. The teachers are going to the
movie.
a) correct
b) am
c) is
d) does
e) was

16. The teachers are going to the
movie.
a) correct ✔
b) am
c) is
d) does
e) was

17. This are going to be the easiest
quiz of all time.
a) correct
b) is
c) am
d) was
e) were

18. This are going to be the easiest
quiz of all time.
a) correct
b) is ✔
c) am
d) was
e) were

19. Everyone at the movie is taking a
dollar.
a) correct
b) were
c) am
d) are
e) when

20. Everyone at the movie is taking a
dollar.
a) correct ✔
b) were
c) am
d) are
e) when

21. This is a fun book to read.
a) correct
b) was
c) were
d) am
e) does

22. This is a fun book to read.
a) correct ✔
b) was
c) were
d) am
e) does

23. One time I were at the mountains.
a) correct
b) was
c) is
d) am
e) does

24. One time I were at the mountains.
a) correct
b) was ✔
c) is
d) am
e) does

25. Everyone are going to the circus.
a) correct
b) were
c) was
d) is
e) does

26. Everyone are going to the circus.
a) correct
b) were
c) was
d) is ✔
e) does

27. Each of the students are
worried about the test.
a) correct
b) has
c) is
d) am
e) does

28. Each of the students are
worried about the test.
a) correct
b) has
c) is ✔
d) am
e) does

29. None of those girls go to church.
a) correct
b) goes
c) are
d) were
e) does

30. None of those girls go to church.
a) correct ✔
b) goes
c) are
d) were
e) does

31. The last book we read, as well as
the five in the library, was fiction.
a) correct
b) is
c) am
d) were
e) does

32. The last book we read, as well as
the five in the library, was fiction.
a) correct ✔
b) is
c) am
d) were
e) does