SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

SINGULAR AND PLURAL SUBJECTS A number of a noun, pronoun, , and a

verb does not refer to a specific number. It means only singular or plural.

The subject-verb agreement is very important both in writing and speaking.

The subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number.

In grammar, the concept of number is simple. Words can be either singular or plural. I think of the word singular as referring to a single one.

A plural word refers to more than one item or idea.

Only nouns, pronouns, and verbs have number.

Most nouns are made plural by adding –s or –es to the singular form.

For example, if I read trees in a sentence, I know it is plural because –s has been added to the singular form, tree.

Some nouns have irregular plural forms. The plural form of fish, for example, is fish, and the plural form of loaf is loaves.

If I’m unsure about whether a word is singular or plural, or how to make a word plural, I look it up in a dictionary.

I will give each of you an index card with a singular or plural noun.

On your index card – write singular or plural and tell why ( Hint: look at the end of the word)

We will share our answers

Now get with a partner. Write one sentence with a singular

subject. Write one sentence with a plural

subject. We will share our sentences.