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Subject-Verb Agreement

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Title: Subject-Verb Agreement


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

2
Keep 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.

3
Recognizing 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.

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 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.

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
  • The student and the instructor work long hours.
  • The subject 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.
  • Use a 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
  • 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

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?
  • 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

18
What 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

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
  • The scientist 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
  • 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.

22
Youve 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.

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
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