Title: Subject-Verb Agreement
1Subject-Verb Agreement
- University Learning Center
- PC 247 / AC I 160
- Developed by Chris Losa
2Keep Your Eyes Open
- Although often 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 believer.
3Recognizing Subjects and Verbs
- A complete 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.
4Spot 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 youve 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.
5What 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.
6Therefore . . .
- 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.
7BEWARE
- 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.
8BEWARE
- The student and the instructor work long hours.
- The subject consists of two people. Therefore,
it is plural.
9BEWARE
- BE CAREFUL!
- When subjects are joined by and and combine to
form a single thing or person, they are treated
like a singular subject. - Use a singular verb with such compound subjects.
10Example
- Spaghetti and meatballs has a place on many
menus. - Spaghetti and meatballs is acting as a unit, as a
singular subject.
11Using Each and Every
- Each and Every are singular pronouns.
- Therefore, they require singular verbs.
- Every flying saucer was glowing.
12Using 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.
13Compound 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)
14Compound Subjects Joined By Words Like Or
- In such 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
15Compound Subjects Joined By Words Like Or
- Either the instructors or the student knows the
answer. - The singular subject student requires the
singular verb knows.
16What if the Subject is an Indefinite Pronoun?
- Indefinite Pronouns refer to nonspecific people
or things. They are usually singular and require
singular verbs.
17What if the Subject is an Indefinite Pronoun?
- The following common Indefinite Pronouns usually
take singular verbs - Another each everything nothing
anybody either neither somebody
anyone every nobody someone
anything everyone no one something
18What if the Subject is an Indefinite Pronoun?
- BEWARE! A few indefinite pronounsnone, some,
more, most, any, and allcan 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
19Making 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).
20Making Verbs Agree With the Antecedents of Who,
Which, and That
- The scientist will share information with the
students who work with her. - George Jones is the student who works in the lab.
21Using Singular Verbs with Titles and Terms
- Titles and terms are treated as singular
subjectseven if they contain plural words. - Examples
- Les Miserables is a popular musical.
- Disciplinary measures is a euphemism for
punishment.
22Youve 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
Everythese are singular. - Pay close attention to subjects joined with words
like and and orthese subjects can be either
singular or plural.
23Information Cited and Paraphrased from
- Troyka, Lynn Q. Quick Access Reference For
Writers. 3rd Ed. New Jersey Prentice Hall,
2001.
24Thank 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