SUBJECT - VERB AGREEMENT Pages 170-171
Jan 02, 2016
SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT Having singular and plural subjects and verbs
that match is called subject-verb agreement. You know that some subjects are singular and
some are plural. When you are writing with present-tense verbs, always use the verb form that agrees with, or matches, the subject in number. Remember to use the plural form of the verb to agree with a compound subject using and. The simple subject and the simple predicate must agree.
Examples:A humpback whale likes shallow waters
The whale and its calf swim together.
The people on the boat watch the whales
subject verb
compound subject
verb
subject verb
CLUES
Another way to remember subject verb agreement is if the simple subject is singular, the verb will end with –s or –es. If the simple subject is plural, the verb will not end with –s or –es. So one of the words (simple subject or simple predicate) will end with –s or –es but not both words.
Directions for 1-10, page 170: Identify the simple subject and simple predicate (remember they will not be in a prepositional phrase). Tell whether the simple subject is singular or plural. If the subject and verb do not agree, tell the correct verb form.
Directions for 11-20, page 171: Identify the simple subject and simple predicate (remember they will not be in a prepositional phrase). If the subject and verb do not agree, tell the correct verb form.