Subject-Verb Agreement Basic Principle: Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.

My brother is a nutritionist. My sisters are mathematicians. See the section on Plurals for additional help with subject-verb agreement. The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.

Everyone has done his or her homework. Somebody has left her purse.

Some indefinite pronouns such as all, some are singular or plural depending on what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?) Be careful choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns.

Some of the beads are missing. Some of the water is gone.

On the other hand, there is one indefinite pronoun, none, that can be either singular or plural; it often doesn't matter whether you use a singular or a plural verb unless something else in the sentence determines its number. (Writers generally think of none as meaning not any and will choose a plural verb, as in "None of the engines are working," but when something else makes us regard none as meaning not one, we want a singular verb, as in "None of the food is fresh.")

None of you claims responsibility for this incident? None of you claim responsibility for this incident? None of the students have done their homework. (In this last example, the word their precludes the use of the singular verb.

Some indefinite pronouns are particularly troublesome Everyone and everybody (listed above, also) certainly feel like more than one person and, therefore, students are sometimes tempted to use a plural verb with them. They are always singular, though. Each is often followed by a prepositional phrase ending in a plural word (Each of the cars), thus confusing the verb choice. Each, too, is always singular and requires a singular verb. Everyone has finished his or her homework. You would always say, "Everybody is here." This means that the word is singular and nothing will change that. Each of the students is responsible for doing his or her work in the library. Don't let the word "students" confuse you; the subject is each and each is always singular Each is responsible. Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along with are not the same as and. The phrase introduced by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word (mayor in this case), but it does not compound the subjects (as the word and would do).

The mayor as well as his brothers is going to prison.

The mayor and his brothers are going to jail.

The pronouns neither and either are singular and require singular verbs even though they seem to be referring, in a sense, to two things.

Neither of the two traffic lights is working. Which shirt do you want for Christmas? Either is fine with me.

In informal writing, neither and either sometimes take a plural verb when these pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with of. This is particularly true of interrogative constructions: "Have either of you two clowns read the assignment?" "Are either of you taking this seriously?" Burchfield calls this "a clash between notional and actual agreement."* The conjunction or does not conjoin (as and does): when nor or or is used the subject closer to the verb determines the number of the verb. Whether the subject comes before or after the verb doesn't matter; the proximity determines the number.

Either my father or my brothers are going to sell the house.

Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the house. Are either my brothers or my father responsible? Is either my father or my brothers responsible?

Because a sentence like "Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the house" sounds peculiar, it is probably a good idea to put the plural subject closer to the verb whenever that is possible. The words there and here are never subjects.

There are two reasons [plural subject] for this. There is no reason for this.

Here are two apples.

With these constructions (called expletive constructions), the subject follows the verb but still determines the number of the verb. 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. He loves and she loves and they love_ and . . . . Sometimes modifiers will get betwen a subject and its verb, but these modifiers must not confuse the agreement between the subject and its verb. The mayor, who has been convicted along with his four brothers on four counts of various crimes but who also seems, like a cat, to have several political lives, is finally going to jail. Sometimes nouns take weird forms and can fool us into thinking they're plural when they're really singular and vice-versa. Consult the section on the Plural Forms of Nouns and the section on Collective Nouns for additional help. Words such as glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural (and require plural verbs) unless they're preceded the phrase pair of (in which case the word pair becomes the subject).

My glasses were on the bed. My pants were torn. A pair of plaid trousers is in the closet.

Some words end in -s and appear to be plural but are really singular and require singular verbs.

The news from the front is bad.

Measles is a dangerous disease for pregnant women.

On the other hand, some words ending in -s refer to a single thing but are nonetheless plural and require a plural verb.

My assets were wiped out in the depression. The average worker's earnings have gone up dramatically. Our thanks go to the workers who supported the union.

The names of sports teams that do not end in "s" will take a plural verb: the Miami Heat have been looking , The Connecticut Sun are hoping that new talent . See the section on pluralsfor help with this problem. Fractional expressions such as half of, a part of, a percentage of, a majority of are sometimes singular and sometimes plural, depending on the meaning. (The same is true, of course, when all, any, more, most and some act as subjects.) Sums and products of mathematical processes are expressed as singular and require singular verbs. The expression "more than one" (oddly enough) takes a singular verb: "More than one student has tried this."

Some of the voters are still angry. A large percentage of the older population is voting against her. Two-fifths of the troops were lost in the battle. Two-fifths of the vineyard was destroyed by fire. Forty percent of the students are in favor of changing the policy. Forty percent of the student body is in favor of changing the policy. Two and two is four. Four times four divided by two is eight.

If your sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject and one is plural, the other singular, the verb should agree with the positive subject.

Instructions

The department members but not the chair have decided not to teach on Valentine's Day. It is not the faculty members but the president who decides this issue.

It was the speaker, not his ideas, that has provoked the students to riot.

PRETEST A Pretest allows you to see what you need to concentrate on in the text. Avoid subject-verb agreement problems in the following sentences by selecting the correct verb from those provided in parentheses. The computer will tell you if you're correct or not. At the end of the pretest, click on "My totals, please" and the computer will break down the total scores, showing which sections of this chapter you should concentrate on.

1. Both you and I ____________ sure to receive athletic scholarships at the end of this semester. (are, is)

2. I think that there ____________ one of Toni Morrison's books on Julia's top shelf. (were, was)

3. I hope you didn't buy any more of that popcorn that ____________ not pop. (do, does)

4. Olive's husband, along with two of his partners, ____________ coming over for dinner. (are, is)

5. I know you're busy, but there ____________ two men at the door asking for you. (is, are)

6. Probably the professor or the department head ____________ the answer. (know, knows)

7. According to the municipal health department, there ____________ no cases of AIDS reported in the city last year. (was, were)

8. The whole point of those songs ____________ to make you cry. (is, are)

9. The mineral that you often find in these rocks ____________ the cliffs a pink tint in the morning or evening light. (give, gives)

10. All the houses that face the pond ____________ relying on well water. (is, are)

11. That fabric is defective because the threads that go crosswise near the top ____________ little bumps. (have, has)

12. The language of the workers on the road crew ____________ me wonder if my kids should be playing around them. (make, makes)

13. The president may not like the coverage he's getting, but the Bill of Rights ____________ him from censoring it. (prohibit, prohibits)

14. While I'm cleaning out the stalls, there ____________ never anyone else around. (is, are)

15. One of the trainees in my class ____________ that people can live after death as zombies. (believe, believes)

16. Most of the people in her church ____________ agreed on at least that one issue. (have, has)

17. It doesn't matter to them that all of the scientific evidence ____________ them. (contradict, contradicts)

18. Burt will stop working at 3:30 even though some of the other assemblers ____________ not stop until 4:00. (do, does)

19. Not everyone in these apartments ____________ that way. (feel, feels)

20. With every day that Rene lives in town, more of his parents' motives ____________ clear to him. (become, becomes)

21. The women who ____________ making all the phone calls for the club could have used some help. (is, are)

22. In the cafeteria I met four students who ____________ already taken that course. (have, has)

23. Violet is eager to tell everyone about the book that ____________ changed her life. (have, has)

24. The man who ____________ the world high-jump record is Vladimir Yashchenko. (hold, holds)

25. Of all the planets in our solar system, Saturn, which ____________ the second largest, is the least dense; in fact, it would float in any sea that was large enough to hold it. (are, is)

26. Both the dolphin and the whale ____________ complex melodies under water. (sing, sings)

27. But neither the dolphin nor the whale ____________ been included in this program abut animal musicians. (have, has)

28. Alex doesn't think that there ____________ any insecticides that kill Japanese beetles. (is, are)

29. Maybe Lavar or your brothers ____________ met the woman who signs the immigration papers. (have, has)

30. Whenever I go into that bank, there ____________ all those silent eyes staring at me. (is, are)

Subject-Verb Agreement In The Present Tenses

In the present tenses, verbs change in form to agree with their subjects. The cars move to the side of the road as the hot-air balloon moves slowly toward the median strip. The balloonist is calling out greetings while the police are calling to him through their megaphones. He has floated hundreds of miles under this patchwork canopy, and the winds have always floated him to his landing sites. To agree with singular subjects other than I or you, simple present tense verbs take an added -s, and verbs in the present progressive or perfect tenses include a final -s in their auxiliaries. (ReviewChapter 11 for these verb forms.) Remember that the English language uses final -s in two different ways:

-s added to a noun means plural. -s added to a verb means singular.

Subject-verb agreement, then, implies that there's room for only one added -s in any subject-verb combination. Questions 1-5: Change from Plural to Singular Example: Believe it or not, these old grandfather clocks keep perfect time. Believe it or not, this old grandfather clock keeps perfect time.

1.

2.

3.

.4

.5

:01-6 Questions Change from Singular to Plural

.6

.7

8.

9.

10.

Subject-Verb Agreement With Was And Were

Verbs including past tense forms of to be must also change to agree with their subjects. The flowers were sprouting indoors, but the parsley on the porch wasn't sprouting yet. The garden was fertilized with manure in the fall, and the pots indoors were fertilizedchemically. Here are the simple past tense forms of to be.
Singular I was you were she was, he was, it was Plural we were you were they were

(any singular subject) was (any plural subject) were

Whether was and were act as single-word verbs or as auxiliaries, they follow this same pattern. Practice them first as single-word verbs.

Application 2 When was or were act as auxiliaries in verb strings, was goes with all singular subjects except you. I was drying my hair. You were drying your hair. The wind was drying our hair. Instructions Click on each sentence button and a sentence will appear in the top box. The sentence is then begun a second time in such a way that you need to change the subject and verb. Theanswer button will reveal the computer's response. Questions 1-5: Change from Plural to Singular Example: Our prize-winning pumpkins were hit by an early frost. Our one and only . . . . . . prize-winning pumpkin was hit by an early frost.

1.

2.

.3

.4

.5

Questions 6-10 Change from singular to plural Example: Her outrageous statement was quoted in every newspaper in the state. Her numerous outrageous statements . . . . . . were quoted by every newspaper in the state.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

There Is, There Are, There Was, And There Were

When a clause begins with one of these expressions, the verb should agree with the first noun or pronoun after the verb, as long as that noun or pronoun is not part of a modifying phrase or clause. There is no doubt that eating habits are changing in the USA. A decade ago, there were no labels on packages boasting, "All natural; no preservatives." Besides, there is now, among many young people, a ritual of daily diet and exercise. Notice that in the last example above, the first noun after the verb is people. But it's part of a modifying phrase, so the fact that it is plural is irrelevant. The next noun is ritual, and that's the one that matters. When you look after the verb and find the first noun outside a modifying phrase or clause, note whether it is singular or plural and then choose the verb to match:
Singular Plural

there is

there are

there was there were

Modifying Phrases or Clauses Between Subject And Verb

When a prepositional phrase modifies the subject of a clause, the verb must still agree with the subject, not with any noun in the prepositional phrase. The hole [in my pants] looks ugly. The holes [in my coat] look ugly.

Modifying Phrases or Clauses Between Subject And Verb

Application 6

Instructions
In the space provided after each sentence, type in the simple subject and then write the verb asked for in the tense called for in each section. Simple present (one-word verb)

1. The mailboxes for our building __________ (to be) hard to reach.

2. The mailbox for the apartments on the third floor __________ (to be) hard to reach.

3. Sometimes that librarian with the glasses __________ (to remind) me of my father.

4. Sometimes the librarians in the research room __________ (to remind) me of my family.

Present perfect (combine has or have with the past participle form of the main verb.) 5. You'd better not go because the fire marshal under the new team of supervisors __________(to issue) a warning.

6. You'd better not go because the fire marshals from the North End __________ (to issue) a warning.

7. Don's two partners __________ (to leave) town.

8. Don, along with his two partners, __________ (to leave) town.

9 Don, along with his two partners and their families, __________ (to leave) town.

Present progressive (combine is or are with the -ing form of the main verb) 10. The phones for our office __________ (to ring) all the time.

11. The phone for the file clerks __________ (to ring) all the time.

12. The students around the corner __________ (to tease) us about the thinness of the walls.

13. The student in the rooms behind ours us __________ (to tease) us about the thinness of the walls.

14. Today the final report on the negotiations __________ (to go) to the board.

15. Today the final reports on the negotiation with the union __________ (to go) to the board.

Modifying Phrases or Clauses Between Subject And Verb

When a prepositional phrase modifies the subject of a clause, the verb must still agree with the subject, not with any noun in the prepositional phrase. The hole [in my pants] looks ugly. The holes [in my coat] look ugly.

Application 6 When a dependent clause or verbal phrase separates a subject from its verb, the verb must still agree with the subject, not with a noun in the clause or phrase. The noise {that they're making with the dishes} gives me an idea. The noises {that they're making with the dishes} give me an idea.

Modifying Phrases or Clauses Between Subject And Verb

Application 6

Instructions
In the space provided after each sentence, type in the simple subject and then write the verb asked for in the tense called for in each section.

Simple present (one-word verb)

1. The mailboxes for our building __________ (to be) hard to reach.

2. The mailbox for the apartments on the third floor __________ (to be) hard to reach.

3. Sometimes that librarian with the glasses __________ (to remind) me of my father.

4. Sometimes the librarians in the research room __________ (to remind) me of my family.

Present perfect (combine has or have with the past participle form of the main verb.) 5. You'd better not go because the fire marshal under the new team of supervisors __________(to issue) a warning.

6. You'd better not go because the fire marshalls from the North End __________ (to issue) a warning.

7. Don's two partners __________ (to leave) town.

8. Don, along with his two partners, __________ (to leave) town.

9 Don, along with his two partners and their families, __________ (to leave) town.

Present progressive (combine is or are with the -ing form of the main verb) 10. The phones for our office __________ (to ring) all the time.

11. The phone for the file clerks __________ (to ring) all the time.

12. The students around the corner __________ (to tease) us about the thinness of the walls.

13. The student in the rooms behind ours us __________ (to tease) us about the thinness of the walls.

14. Today the final report on the negotiations __________ (to go) to the board.

Ins tru cti on s

In the spa ce pro vid ed afte 15. Today the final reports on the negotiation with the union __________ (to go) to the board. r eac h sen ten ce, typ e in the sub ject foll ow ed by the ver Pas b Ap t ask plic pro ed atio gre for n7 ssi (in ve ( bol co d mbi and 2. O ne in ur wa par truc s T 3.or ent ks, wer he hes rece e wi upst 15. es) 4.T ntly th The 8. airs in he outf tena sha 14. My the othe itted 5.A -ing dow This uncl nts, ten r with gro for con slo mor 13. es se tena new wer mG wly ning This 11. who stan call 6. nt, tires who of tly cov the mor The slee ed row who and plan the erin fina ning stud p irrit for ers kee brak 7. ts mai ated g l the ent with in a plan ps e My thir n the repo fina 12. who thei by eac ting her sho uncl d ver othe driv rt l The dro r h a own es, e crop ewa that repo stud ps b) ligh r sec thir bicy ___ who ___ peo y sum rts ents by 10. ts tion d cleT 9. ___ live ___ and mar sum livi ever The on ple' . crop and he ___ s ___ s the izes mar ng y a pho bec in(t skis pho _ with _ (t fron the izin arou day ne ause clutt sing in nes o Pre his o er, t neg g nd afte shar they le the that nee sen dau ma step otiat the r ed 're ___ year hall our d) t t ghte ke) ___ s ions neg corn clas by afra ___ way offi o be ten rs extr with otiat er ses our id ___ ___ , ces tune se ___ a (t _ the ion ___ two of ___ use d ___ prof unio proc ___ offi gho o (t _ ___ d up. ___ its. yell _ (t n ess ___ ces sts o (t ___ _ (t o _a ___ ) ma _ (t ___ o O 1. lot. bri o ___ ke) o ___ love ur ng) teas ___ extr yell _ ca (t ) truc a (t e) _ au a ) o ntal k, wel s o prof lot. ring oup whi com go) abo ring love its. ) all es. ch e to utall ) )can the fina cool the talo time lly ness boar nois time upe . has d. e. . s. new tires ,

Modifying Phrases or Clauses Between Subject And Verb

Indefinite Pronouns As Subject

When a singular indefinite pronoun acts as a subject, it always takes a singular verb. When a plural indefinite pronoun acts as subject, it always takes a plural verb. Everybody dreads going to the dentist. I've tried nine dentists and several have been real jokers. Anyone who cracks jokes while his hands are in my mouth is in danger of being bitten. Here are the indefinite pronouns. (Click HERE for a one-page, printable duplicate of this chart.)
Singular everyone/everybody anyone/anybody someone/somebody no one/nobody each/much/one either/neither Either Singular or Plural any all some most more none Plural both many few several

Pay particular attention to the ones that are always singular or always plural. Remember that a modifying phrase or clause between the subject and verb doesn't change the number of the subject: Nobody is waiting for the light. Nobody who can see past those cars is waiting for the light. Few have even slowed down. Few of the drivers in the line have even slowed down.

Application 8 A few indefinite pronouns agree with either singular or plural verbs, depending on the rest of the sentence. More of that fruit is coming tomorrow. More of those apples are coming tomorrow. Review the chart of indefinite pronouns above. The pronouns in the two outer columns are fixed in number, no matter what words are in their modifying phrases. But each pronoun in the middle column changes number to match the object of the first preposition that follows.

Application 9

Indefinite Pronouns As Subject

Application 8 Instructions In the space provided after each sentence, type in the subject followed by the verb asked for (in bold and in parentheses) in the tense called for in each section. Simple present

1. Around the holidays, several of my customers from the fancy part of town __________ (to ask) me to make marzipan.

2. Anyone who can work with tools __________ (to know) how to fix that mailbox.

3. Neither of the actors __________ (to spend) much time memorizing lines.

4. Everybody in the grandstands __________ (to want) to avoid trouble.

5. Very few of the stones that are in this bag __________ (to increase) in value over the years.

Present perfect action (Combine has or have with the past participle of the main verb.) 6. Nobody in my classes __________ (to work) very hard this week.

7. Instead, many __________ (to bask) in the sudden sweetness of the weather.

8. Matt and Lena are sun-bathing every day, but neither __________ (to try) to swim in the river yet.

Inst ruc tio ns

In the spa ce 9. The select few who talk often with Matt and Lena __________ (to contradict) the rumor about their secret marriage. pro vid ed afte r eac h sen 10. Matt and Lena are stubborn people and each __________ (to develop) a strong desire to stay independent. ten ce, typ e in the sub ject foll ow ed by the ver b ask ed Ap for plic (in atio bol n9 d and in A 9. par ny ent ofA 2. hes 10. the ll of es) Any cos the 3. inS of meti slic ome the the cs es ofS sim med that 4. ___ the ple icin you ome ___ bott pre e find in ofN ___ 5. les sen thos in the _ (t one ___ t e the 7. mil o ofN ___ ten 6. dra Mos k loo the ___ se. wer 8. t one of ___ k)(t egg _ of s Mos this ___ mol s o of t war the ___ dy. ___ sme butt ___ thes eho _ (t ___ ll)(t ___ _ e use er o s 1.A ___ tran _ of o (t roo ___ sme ll _ (t ge.s o belo ms ___ ll) the o ___ belo ng) tran brea sho ng) to(t ___ _ ge. dt w) o to the ___ hos the peo _ (t nee sho ___ e a w) a peo ple o d) ___ tiny ple who nee new ny _ (t crac spoi who live d) refri o n ks. just d ew gera lage loo . mov here refri tion k) ed befo gera syst mol out. re. tors. em. dy.

Indefinite Pronouns As Subject

Who, Which, and That as Subjects

When who, which, or that acts as the subject of a clause, the key to its number lies in the word being modified by the clause. Here's the girl {who shovels snow}. Here are the girls {who shovel snow}. Who, which, or that can play two parts at the same time: dependent word and subject of a dependent clause. In such a case, the verb must agree with the word that the clause modifies. The hot water faucet, {which has been dripping for days}, is hard to fix. None of the pipes {that lead to the sink} seem to have shut-off valves.

Compound Subjects
When two ore more subjects are compounded with and, they agree with a plural verb. Rain makes arthritis flare up. Rain and fog make arthritis flare up.

Compound Subjects
Application 11 Instructions In the space provided after each sentence, type in the subject or subjects (along with the conjunction that connects them) followed by the simple present tense verb asked for (in bold and in parentheses).

1. A freckle on his elbow __________ (to identify) him.

2. A freckle and a small scar on his elbow __________ (to identify) him.

3. The tropical stick insect __________ (to grow) to become thirteen inches long.

4. The tropical stick insect and the Andaman Island centipede __________ (to grow) to become thirteen inches long.

5. Probably Marisa __________ (to dance) professionally by now

6. Probably Marisa and Leonard __________ (to dance) professionally by now.

7. Cleaning often __________ (to improve) the whole atmosphere of the house.

8. Cleaning and painting __________ (to improve) the whole atmosphere of the house.

9. In a special diving machine called a bathysphere, an ocean diver __________ (to reach) a depth of almost 36,000 feet.

10. In a special diving machine called a bathysphere, an ocean diver and equipment __________(to reach) a depth of almost 36,000 feet.

When subjects are compounded with or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Blueberries taste good after a spicy meal. Either blueberries or pineapple tastes good after a spicy meal. Either pineapple or blueberries taste good after a spicy meal. Read the last two sentences aloud and listen to the way each verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Compound Subjects

Application 12 Instructions In the space provided after each sentence, type in the subject or subjects (along with the conjunction that connects them) followed by the simple present tense verb asked for (in bold and in parentheses).

1. Tim's watch or the alarm clocks __________ (to keep) us on schedule.

2. The alarm clocks or Tim's watch __________ (to keep) us on schedule.

3. Either Andra or the Seville boys __________ (to look) after the chickens when we're away.

4. Either the Seville boys or Andra __________ (to look) after the chickens when we're away.

5. Neither my kids nor Lillie __________ (to go) skating on that pond.

6. Neither Lillie nor my kids __________ (to go) skating on that pond.

7. A cake or cookies always __________ (to appear) mysteriously at my door on Midsummer's Eve.

8. Cookies or a cake always __________ (to appear) mysteriously at my door on Midsummer's Eve.

9. Neither my father nor my friends __________ (to talk) to me about money.

10. Neither my friends nor my father __________ (to talk) to me about money.

Watch out for the difference between compound subjects joined by and and compound subjects joined by or or nor. Rain and fog make arthritis flare up. Rain or fog makes arthritis flare up.

Compound Subjects
Application 13 Instructions In the space provided after each sentence, type in the subject or subjects (along with the conjunction that connects them) followed by the simple present tense verb asked for (in bold and in parentheses).

1. Toan and his brother __________ (to work) on Fridays.

2. Either Toan or his brother __________ (to work) on Fridays.

3. Either the motion of the boat or the sunshine __________ (to make) me dizzy.

4. The motion of the boat and the sunshine __________ (to make) me dizzy.

5. Neither the stars nor the moon __________ (to break) through the clouds tonight.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Fun with Grammar

Who's Going to the SuperBowl? This game needs three or four players: two opponents and one or two referees. Starting with a base sentence in the present tense, each opponent invents a new modifier or subject before the verb, challenging the other opponent to add the new material correctly to the ever-growing sentence. The referee(s) must determine whether each sentence follows the rules of subject-verb agreement. Here's how one round might begin:
Base sentence: Opponent 1, challenge: Opponent 2, response: Opponent 2, challenge: Opponent 1, response: Opponent 1, challenge: Opponent 2, response: Opponent 1, challenge: Tim's landlord is going to the Super Bowl. . . . who wears green boots. . . Tim's landlord, who wears green boots, is going to the Super Bowl. . . . when his kids aren't looking. . . Tim's landlord, who wears green boots when his kids aren't looking, is going to the Super Bowl. . . . and his new girlfriend . . . Tim's landlord, who wears green boots when his kids aren't looking, and his new girlfriend are going to the Super Bowl. . . . who has a big white van. . .

Rules 1. Referees write down each new challenge phrase. Opponents, however, may not read or write during the game. They must work from memory. 2. Referees may call foul whenever a response is incomplete or incorrect, or when a response places the challenging phrase after the verb instead of in front of it. 3. When an opponent gets a foul call, the challenger may try to give the correct response. If the challenger succeeds, the opponent must step down and trade places with one of the referees who plays a new round with the successful challenger. If,

however, the challenger fails to respond correctly to his or her own challenge, he or she must step down and trade places with a referee, who becomes an opponent for the next round. 4. Referees keep score: each opponent gets one point for each correct response. Each round starts with the same base sentence, and each new round involves a different pair of opponents. Players who succeed in responding to their own challenges earn the right to remain for additional rounds. Play continues until each member of the group has played at least one round. Tips for challenges. Invent: 1. prepositional phrases or clauses that include nouns conflicting with the number of the existing verb

2. phrases that include the word and or or, which may change the correctness of the existing verb
3. phrases that may be hard for your opponent, but not for you, to remember

Self Teaching Unit: Subject - Verb Agreement

2000, 1978 Margaret L. Benner All rights reserved.

Although you are probably already familiar with basic subject-verb agreement, this chapter begins with a quick review of basic agreement rules. Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural. In the present tense, nouns and verbs form plurals in opposite ways: nouns ADD an s to the singular form; verbs REMOVE the s from the singular form.

These agreement rules do not apply to verbs used in the simple past tense without any helping verbs.

The agreement rules do, however, apply to the following helping verbs when they are used with a main verb: is-are, was-were, has-have, does-do.

The agreement rules do not apply to has-have when used as the SECOND helping verb in a pair.

They do NOT apply to any other helping verbs, such as can, could, shall, should, may, might, will, would, must.

The subject-verb agreement rules apply to all personal pronouns except I and you, which, although SINGULAR, require PLURAL forms of verbs.

Now click on the link below to do exercise 1. Link to Exercise 1 The remainder of this teaching unit deals with some more advanced subject-verb agreement rules and with exceptions to the original subject-verb agreement rule Compound Subject

The word compound means made up of two or more parts. Two or more words can be compounded or linked by joining them with any of three words: and, or, and nor Here are some examples of compounding:

Compound nouns can function as a compound subject. In some instances, a compound subject poses special problems for the subject-verb agreement rule (+s, -s).

However, instead of using two sentences (as above), we may choose to give the above information in one sentence.

This sentence makes use of a compound subject (two subject nouns joined by and), illustrating a new rule about subject-verb agreement. Although each part of the compound subject is singular (ranger and camper), taken together (joined by and), each one becomes a part of a plural structure and, therefore, must take a plural verb (see) to agree in the sentence. SUBJECT-VERB RULE #1 Two or more singular (or plural) subjects joined by and act as a plural compound subject and take a plural verb (singular + singular = plural). You can check the verb by substituting the pronoun they for the compound subject.

Or and nor as joiners word somewhat differently from and. While the word and seems to ADD things together, or and nor do not. They suggest a CHOICE.

Look at this sentence.

This sentence makes use of a compound subject (two subject nouns joined together by or). Each part of the compound subject (ranger, camper) is singular. Even though both words function together as subject (joined by or), the subject still remains SINGULAR (ranger or camper) since a CHOICE is implied. This compound subject, therefore, requires a singular verb to agree with it. SUBJECT-VERB RULE #2 Two or more SINGULAR subjects joined by or (or nor) act as a singular compound subject and, therefore, take a singular verb to agree. Note: Two or more plural subjects joined by or (or nor) would naturally take a plural verb to agree.

However, or and nor can pose a more difficult problem. Thus far we have been working with compound subjects whose individual parts are both either singular or plural

What if one part of the compound subject is singular and the other part is plural?

What form of a verb should be used in this case? Should the verb be singular to agree with one word? Or should the verb be plural to agree with the other? Solution: 1. If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by and, always use a plural verb.

2. If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by or or nor, use the verb form (singular or plural) which will agree with the subject closer to the verb.

Now click on the link below to do exercise 2. Link to Exercise 2 Group Nouns Some nouns which name groups can be either singular or plural depending upon their meaning in individual sentences.

Because they can describe either the individuals in the group (more than one plural), or the group as a single entity (one only singular), these nouns pose special problems. However, there are some guidelines for deciding which verb form (singular or plural) to use with one of these nouns as the subject in a sentence. If we refer to the group as a whole and, therefore, as a single unit, we consider the noun singular. In this case, we use a singular verb.

If, on the other hand, we are actually referring to the individuals within the group, then we consider the noun plural. In this case, we use a plural verb.

Of course group nouns, like other nouns, can also appear in plural forms (with an s).

When used in the plural form, group nouns mean MORE THAN ONE GROUP. Thus, it uses a plural verb.

Thus, there are three important subject verb agreement rules to remember when a group noun is used as the subject:

1. Group nouns can be considered as a single unit, and, thus, take a singular verb. 2. Group nouns can be considered as individual members within a single unit and, thus, take a plural verb. 3. Group nouns can be given plural forms to mean two or more units and, thus, take a plural verb. Now click on the link below to do exercise 3. Link to Exercise 3 Plural Form / Singular Meaning Nouns Some nouns are regularly plural in form, but singular in meaning.

Even though these nouns APPEAR to be plural because they end in s, they actually refer to only one thing made up of smaller, uncounted parts. Therefore, they are consideredsingular.

You can see that substituting that pronoun it instead of they makes more sense here. Another group of plural form nouns end in ics.

Similarly, it is a more suitable substitute for any of these words than is they. These nouns appear to be plural (end in s), but generally refer to only one thing and are, therefore, generally considered singular.

NOTE: Occasionally, however, the ics nouns can have a plural meaning: We can speak about individual parts of these wholes. In this case, we apply the same rule as applies to group nouns when we consider the individual members within the group (see Section 3.3): We use a plural verb. Note the difference in meaning and, therefore, in the verb chosen (singular or plural) between the two uses of the ics noun, statistics.

Now click on the link below to do exercise 4. Link to Exercise 4 Indefinite pronouns can pose special problems in subject verb agreement. The difficulty is that some indefinite pronouns sound plural when they are really singular. As subjects, the following indefinite pronouns ALWAYS take singular verbs. Look at them closely.

These should be easy to remember.

However, the following indefinite pronouns ALWAYS take plural verbs.

EXCEPTIONS: A third group of indefinite pronouns takes either a singular or plural verb depending on the pronouns meaning in the sentence. Look at them closely.

(SANAM)

Now click on the link below to do exercise 5. Link to Exercise 5

So far we have considered subjects that can cause subject-verb agreement confusion: compound subjects, group noun subjects, plural form singular meaning subjects, andindefinite subjects. The remainder of this teaching unit examines subject verb agreement problems that can result from word placement in sentences. There are four main problems: prepositional phrases, clauses beginning with who, that, or which, sentences beginning with here or there, and questions.

Here is a list of frequently used prepositions:

A prepositional phrase may be placed between the subject and verb.

In the above example, the singular verb is agrees with the singular subject boy. Sometimes, however, a prepositional phrase inserted between the subject and verb makes agreement more difficult.

Car is the singular subject. Was is the singular helping verb which agrees with car. If we arent careful, however, we may mistakenly label riders as the subject since it is nearer to the verb than car is. If we choose the plural noun, riders, we will incorrectly select the plural verb were.

Solution to the Prepositional Phrase Problem 1. Learn the major prepositions (see page 28).

2. Be alert for prepositional phrases placed between the subject and verb, and identify the noun in the phrase immediately as the object of a preposition: An object of a preposition can NEVER be a sentence subject. 3. Locate the true sentence subject and choose a verb which agrees with it.

4. Remember the indefinite pronoun EXCEPTIONS considered in Section 3.5, p.18: Some, Any, None, All, and Most. The number of these subject words IS affected by a prepositional phrase between the subject and verb. Now click on the link below to do exercise 6. Link to Exercise 6 A clause beginning with who, that, or which and coming BETWEEN the subject and verb can cause agreement problems. Like the prepositional phrase, the who / that / which clause never contains the subject.

TO AVOID SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT ERRORS . . . 1. Identify who / that / which clauses immediately.

2. Locate the true sentence subject and choose a verb that agrees with it.

Now click on the link below to do exercise 7. Link to Exercise 7 When a sentence begins with there is there are / here is here are, the subject and verb are inverted. After all that you have learned already, you will undoubtedly find this topic a relatively easy one!

The verb in such constructions is obviously is or are. The subject, however, does not come BEFORE the verb. Instead, the subject in this kind of sentence comes AFTER the verb, so you must look for it AFTER the verb.

In this example, because the subject, book, is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, however, then the verb must be plural.

In this example, because the subject, books, is plural, the verb is also plural. Remember: In here is here are / there is there are constructions, look for the subject AFTER the verb and choose a singular (is) or a plural (are) verb to agree with the subject. And finally, sometimes creating a question will cause the subject to follow the verb as well. Here, identify the subject and then choose the verb that agrees with it (singular or plural).

Now click on the link below to do exercise 8. Link to Exercise 8

Subject - Verb Agreement - Exercise 8

Directions: Write your answers in the space provided under each item. When you have completed both Parts I and II of the exercise, click on "Check My Answers" and check your answers with those on the answer key.

Part I: Directions - In each sentence below, the verb comes before the subject. Select your choice for correct subject verb agreement. Write your completed sentence in the space provided under each item. 1. There (is, are) two classes of pure matter: elements and compounds.

2. What (does, do) scientists know today about elements?

3. Occurring naturally (is, are) over 100 elements, or substances that cannot be separated into different kinds of matter.

4. There (is, are) however, numerous elements that are man-made as well.

5. There (continues, continue) to be much research to add new elements.

Part II:
Directions These sentences contain a mixture of correct and incorrect subject verb combinations, with the verb coming before the subject (inverted order). Read each sentence carefully. If the subject and verb agree, write "correct" in the space provided below. If the subject and verb do not agree, correct the sentence. Write the corrections in the space below.

6. How does elements form compounds?

7. There is a chemical combination of two or more elements: a compound.

8. For example, composed of the two elements, sodium and chlorine, are common table salt, a compound.

9. There are new characteristics taken on by the compound, different from those of its elements.

10. How, for example, does one get table salt from a silvery, poisonous metal (sodium) and a greenish, poisonous gas (chlorine)?