subject-verb agreement prepared by: michelle m. zambo

Subject-Verb Agreement

Prepared by:Michelle M. Zambo

Basic Rule

Singular subjects need singular verbs.

Plural subjects need plural verbs.

These create problems:

Most compound subjects joined by AND take the Plural Form of the verb.

1. Gezell and Jasmin are friends.

2. Tom and Jerry are always fighting.

…continuation

Exception: If the words joined by “and” refer to a single thing, the subject is also singular

1.) War and Peace is a very thick book. (singular)

2.) My friend and co-worker is waiting to see you. (singular)

…continuation


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.

Seems like plural things!

2. You can have the bed by the window or the one by the door. Either is okay with me.

…continuation

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!

The major problem we had, together with that of our teacher, was tardiness.

…continuation

Answer the question below in 5 to 8 sentences using the Subject-Verb Agreement Rule we’ve learned.

•What do you usually do on a Sunday?

Let’s write this!


Words such as Economics, AIDS, Physics and news are singular.

Economics is fun and exciting.

The news is usually broadcast live.


Words such as scissors, eyeglasses and pants that name things with two parts are plural.

My eyeglasses were broken when I stepped on it.

My scissors are rusty.

Write sentences using the following words with the proper Subject-Verb Agreement Rule.

Let’s write this!

1.Trousers2.Physics3.Philippines4.News5.Mathematics


When collective noun such as AUDIENCE, ARMY, CLASS, COMMITTEE, COMPANY, FAMILY, FLOCK, GROUP, JURY, TEAM, denotes a collection regarded as a unit, it requires a singular verb. When it refers to persons or things included in the collection, it requires a plural verb.


The audience was screaming when the artist sang a song.

(The subject AUDIENCE was taken as a single unit.)

…continuation

The audience were screaming when the artist sang a song.

(The subject AUDIENCE refer to a several unit.)

These create problems:Pronouns such as everyone and

everybody seem plural, but they are always singular — so they need a singular verb.

Everyone who worked on the science project is a winner.

Someone has to answer the phone.

Everyone who worked on the science project is a winner.

Someone has to answer the phone.

…continuation

Write sentences using the following words with the proper Subject-Verb Agreement Rule.

Let’s write this!

Write a dialogue between two students who are discussing about their favorite holiday celebration.


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.


With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition)

to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

…continuation

…continuation

Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.

Pie is the object of the preposition of.

…continuation

Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.

Pies is the object of the preposition.

Let’s try these exercises!

Directions: If the subject and verb are in agreement click "correct." If they are not, click the word that is the correct answer.

Ready?

Bill am going to the store.

a) correct

b) is

c) was

d) were

e) does

Oh No!The subject and verb are

not in agreement.

Click HERE to Click HERE to try again.try again.

CORRECT!The subject and verb are in agreement.

Click HERE to HERE to move forward. forward.

The teachers are going to the movie.

a) correct

b) am

c) is

d) does

e) was


not in agreement.



Click HERE to HERE to move move forward..

This are going to be the easiest quiz of all time.

a) correct

b) is

c) am

d) was

e) were


not in agreement.



Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward..

Everyone at the movie is taking a hundred pesos.

a) correct

b) were

c) am

d) are

e) when


not in agreement.

Click HERE to Click HERE to try again. again.


Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward..

This is a fun book to read.

a) correct

b) was

c) were

d) am

e) does


not in agreement.



Click HERE to Click HERE to move move forward..

One time I were at the mountains.

a) correct

b) was

c) is

d) am

e) does


not in agreement.

Click Click HERE to to try again.try again.


Click HERE to Click HERE to move forward.move forward.

Everyone are going to the circus.

a) correct

b) were

c) was

d) is

e) does


not in agreement.

Click HERE to HERE to try again.try again.


Click HERE to Click HERE to move move forward..

Each of the students are worried about the test.

a) correct

b) has

c) is

d) am

e) does


not in agreement.


None of those girls go to church.

a) correct

b) goes

c) are

d) were

e) does


not in agreement.


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


not in agreement.


Each of the five departments are hiring new instructors.

a) correct

b) is

c) were

d) was

e) does


not in agreement.


Thank You for your listening!

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subject-verb agreement prepared by: michelle m. zambo

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