SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT. OBJECTIVES The students will be able to: Apply subject-verb agreement rules with Nouns compound in form but singular in meaning.

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

OBJECTIVES The students will be able to:

Apply subject-verb agreement rules with Nouns compound in form but singular in meaning Compound subjects Compound subjects joined by correlative conjunctions Indefinite pronouns Compound subjects joined by coordinating

conjunctions Subjects plural in form but singular in meaning Collective nouns

SUBJECT AND VERB…

Must agree in number Number refers to whether a word is singular or

plural

SINGULAR SUBJECTS

Singular subjects take singular verbs A singular subject does not end in “s,” but a

singular verb ends in “s” My dog barks loudly. (Correct) My dog bark loudly. (Incorrect) Ashley (play, plays) basketball.

PLURAL SUBJECTS

Plural subjects take plural verbs A plural subject may end in “s,” but the

plural verb does not end in “s” The students need paper and pens from

school. Children run down the street. (Correct) Children runs down the street. (Incorrect)

VERB PHRASES

In a verb phrase, the first helping verb must agree with the subject

A verb phrase is the combination of one or more helping verbs with a main verb. will ride is going does not want

VERB PHRASES

Mary has ordered a new pair of shoes. We are going to the movies this weekend. She (go shopping/goes shopping) every

weekend. I (is talking/am talking) on the phone. You (is getting/are getting) on my nerves.

CONTRACTIONS: DOESN’T & DON’T

Doesn’t = Does not (singular) Don’t= Do not (plural) She ______ know where she put her phone. The boys ______ have their homework.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY

1. A popular saying (is, are) “opposites attract.”

2. On the contrary, we (doesn’t, don’t) often seek relationships with people who hold different values than our own.

3. Personality clashes (spoil, spoils) relationships.

4. Differences (create, creates) tension.5. Typically, a talkative person (prefers,

prefer) the company of other sociable people.

BELL RINGER (4/7/10)

1. A quiet individual sometimes (feel, feels) more comfortable with fellow introverts.

2. Teens usually (select, selects) friends who are most like them.

3. They sometimes (form, forms) tight-knit groups called cliques.

4. Still friendships (has, have) developed among those with different personalities.

5. Open communication (helps, help) all kinds of friends to get along.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS

A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as and, or, or, nor.

SUBJECTS JOINED BY AND

A compound whose parts are joined by “and” usually takes a plural verb Boys and girls make up the student population of

the school. The pencil and paper are on my desk.

JOINED BY AND

Sometimes a compound subject joined by “and” refers to a single thing or idea; it needs a singular verb The red beans and rice tastes delicious Tasha and Alicia talk a lot during class. Kyle and John (is, are) going to join the football

team.

SUBJECTS JOINED BY OR OR NOR

When the parts of a subject are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part closest to it Neither outdoor work nor office tasks suit Matt

very well. Neither office tasks nor outdoor work suits Matt

very well.

PRACTICE

1. Psychologists and guidance counselors have linked personality types to occupations.

2. For example, carpentry or engineering sometimes attract introverted people.

3. Paramedics and police officers seeks adventure and risk.

4. On the other hand, structure and order suits those with good organizational ability.

5. Bookkeepers or office managers typically has stable, practical personalities.

MORE PRACTICE

1. Problem-solving skills and strong verbal communication is useful for judges and business people.

2. Generally, neither lawyers nor the head of a company like to be told what to do.

3. Logic or good spatial perception is needed for jobs in engineering and mechanics.

4. Trial and error are one way to find the right job.

5. Neither your teacher nor your parents want to see you in a job that doesn’t suit you.

ON YOUR OWN (TO BE TURNED IN)

Complete the following exercise. Write the sentence with the correct verb form.

Compound Subjects

AGREEMENT PROBLEMS IN SENTENCES

Some sentences can be trick, such as those with subjects in unusual positions, those containing predicate nouns, or those in which prepositional phrases separate subjects and verbs.

SUBJECTS IN UNUSUAL POSITIONS

A subject can follow a verb or part of a verb phrase in a question, a sentence beginning with here or there, or a sentence in which an adjective, an adverb, or a phrase is placed first

SUBJECTS IN UNUSUAL POSITIONS

Type of Sentence Examples

Question Does birth order shape personality?

Sentence beginning with here or there

Here are some famous first-borns with successful careers.

Sentence beginning with phrase

From years of study come our ideas about birth order.

TIPS TO HELP FIND THE SUBJECT IN THESE KINDS OF SENTENCES Choosing the Correct Verb

(Is, Are) last-borns more rebellious than middle children?

1. Turn the sentence around, putting the subject before the verb (answer the question)1. Last-borns (is, are) more rebellious than middle

children.2. Determine whether the subject is singular or plural

1. Last-borns (plural)3. Make the subject and verb agree

1. Last-borns are more rebellious than middle children.

PREDICATE NOUNS

In a sentence containing a predicate noun, the verb should agree with the subject, not the predicate noun One interesting topic is dreams and their

meanings. Dreams are the voice of the subconscious.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

The subject of a verb is never found in a prepositional phrase. Don’t be fooled by words that come between a subject and a verb. Mentally block out those words. Then, it will be easy to tell whether the subject is singular or plural.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

This book by two psychologists describes personality traits.

Some theories of personality development are complex.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Writers often use prepositional phrases to paint visual pictures. When you use a prepositional phrase between a subject and a verb, make sure that the verb agrees with the subject, not the object of the preposition.At one o’clock it he morning I walked down

through the same section [of San Francisco]. Everything still stood intact. There was no fire. And yet there was a change. A rain [of ashes] was falling.

MORE EXAMPLES: Question:

Is that book interesting? That book is interesting.

Have & There: Here are the new magazines. The new magazines are here.

Beginning Phrase: In the library are meeting rooms. Meeting rooms are in the library.

MORE EXAMPLES

Predicate Nouns: My favorite reading material is mysteries. Mysteries are my favorite reading material.

Prepositional Phrases: Books about baseball entertain fans. Baseball on the field or in books entertains fans.

REVIEW

1. Agreement in number2. Compound subjects3. Agreement problems in sentences

1. AGREEMENT IN NUMBER

Remember: Singular subjects take singular verbs

Maria works well with her classmates. Plural subjects take plural verbs

The players run around the field. Doesn’t and Don’t

Use doesn’t with singular subjects Use don’t with plural subjects Use don’t with the pronoun you

2. COMPOUND SUBJECTS

The subject can be compound when it is joined by the conjunctions and, or, or nor

Joined by “and” The subject takes the plural verb

Lions and tigers roam in the jungle.

Joined by “or” or “nor” The verb will agree with the closest subject

Either the students or the teacher will create the next test.

3. AGREEMENT PROBLEMS IN SENTENCES

1. Subjects in unusual positions2. Sentences with predicate nouns3. Sentences in which prepositional phrases

separate subjects and verbs

**Remember you can easily solve these problems by switching the order of the subject and verb.

REVIEW EXERCISE: THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH CONTAINS FOUR ERRORS IN SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Does you know any identical twins? Then you can probably observe their obvious physical similarities. Although people commonly believe that identical twins raised apart will develop different personalities, the opposite appears to be true. From studies at a college have been gathered information comparing the personality traits of twins separated at birth. There are evidence that separated twins still develop similar traits. Apparently, genes is an important factor in personality development.

Do you know any identical twins? Then you can probably observe their obvious physical similarities. Although people commonly believe that identical twins raised apart will develop different personalities, the opposite appears to be true. From studies at a college has been gathered information comparing the personality traits of twins separated at birth. There is evidence that separated twins still develop similar traits. Apparently, genes are an important factor in personality development.

FOR EACH SENTENCE, WRITE THE VERB THAT AGREES WITH THE SUBJECT. THIS WILL BE TURNED IN.

1. Personality types (have, has) been studied for centuries.

2. (Has, Have) you seen the movie Twilight?3. There (is, are) usually a dominant personality.4. Fear and anger (is, are) experienced by most

athletes.5. Even school or work (demand, demands) a degree of

self-control.6. A Type A person (seem, seems) competitive and

aggressive.7. These skills and techniques (help, helps) others

besides athletes.8. (Does, Do) different personalities know about one

another?9. Multiple personality disorder (are, is) caused by

severe traumas.10. The challenge of sports sometimes (affect, affects)

an athlete’s confidence.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS AS SUBJECTS Some pronouns do not refer to a definite, or

specific, person, place, thing, or idea. They are called indefinite pronouns.

**When used as subjects, some indefinite pronouns are always singular, some are always plural, and others can be singular or plural, depending on how they are used

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

SINGULAR

another anybody anyone anything each either everything neither nobody no one nothing one somebody someone something

PLURAL both few many several

SINGULAR

OR

PLURAL

all any most none some

SINGULAR & PLURAL

Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs Everyone wonders how twins get along. Anything about twins fascinates me.

Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs Many of my friends know a pair of twins. Several are friends themselves.

SINGULAR OR PLURAL?

All, any, most, none, and some can be either singular or plural. When you use one of these words as a subject, think about the noun it refers to. If the noun is singular, use a singular verb, if it is plural, use a plural verb

SINGULAR OR PLURAL?

Most of this book deals with twin research. All of the studies have been conducted by

scientists*Sometimes an indefinite pronoun refers to a

noun in a previous sentence. Sometimes Myla and Melissa coincidentally

buy the same outfit. Both are surprised to find out.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS AS SUBJECTS EXERCISE

SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS Another Anybody Anyone Anything Each Either Everybody Everyone Everything

Much Neither Nobody No one Nothing One Somebody Someone Something

PLURAL INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Both Few Many Others Several

EITHER PLURAL OR SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS All Any Most None Some

EXAMPLES

Nobody lives without air. (singular) Many study the process of photosynthesis.

(plural)

A prepositional phrase can follow the indefinite pronouns that can be either singular or plural. The object of the preposition will determine whether the pronoun is singular or plural. Some of the building is brick. (singular) Some of the sunflowers are large. (plural)

WRITE THE CORRECT VERB IN THE SENTENCE.1. Another (wants, want) to look at the bike.2. Anybody (study, studies) French before taking a trip

to France.3. Anyone (understand, understands) the importance

of this issue.4. One (tell, tells) us about his days in baseball.5. Each of the members (speak, speaks) for three

minutes.6. Either of these books (convey, conveys) the mood

of the 1980s.7. Everybody (want, wants) a copy of that videotape.8. Both of these schools (is, are) outstanding.9. Everyone who participates (receives, receive) an

award.10. Everything in this room (appears, appear) to be an

antique.

COLLECTIVE NOUNS AND OTHER SPECIAL SUBJECTS A collective noun names a group.

It has a singular meaning when the group acts as a unit

It has a plural meaning when showing that each member of the group acts as an individual The team wants to buy the coach a gift. (one group,

singular) The team agree to purchase their own jerseys.

(individuals, plural)

The meaning of the noun in the sentence determines whether the singular or plural form of the verb is needed

You can determine whether a collective noun takes a singular or plural verb by substituting the pronoun it or they

Certain nouns, such as mathematics and mumps, end in –s but use a singular verb form.

Nouns such as jeans and scissors also end in –s and take plural verb, yet they are single objects The news is on the radio now. (singular) These jeans are torn. (plural)

When the subject refers to an amount as a single unit, it is considered singular

When it refers to more than one unit, it is plural Two weeks seems like a long time to wait.

(single unit, singular verb) Two weeks have passed since you called.

(several units, plural verb)

The name of a company, title of a book, movie, play, song, or work of art is a proper noun and should be treated as singular even if the subject within the title is plural The Flintstones is a television show that was

made into a movie.

PRACTICE

1. Ms. Tanaka’s class (is, are) interested in journalism.

2. Three weeks (have been, has been) spent studying newscasts.

3. Television news (excite, excites) several of the students.

4. Jeremy’s family (give, gives) tours of the television station where his mother works.

5. The class (appreciate, appreciates) the time they each received with Mrs. Ramos, who showed them how to operate a video camera.

CLASS WORK

Complete the following and turn in. You must write the sentences!!!

PROBLEM SUBJECTS

When collective nouns, nouns ending in s, titles, and numerical expressions are used as subjects, it can be difficult to tell where they take singular or plural verbs

COLLECTIVE NOUNS

Collective nouns name groups of people or things

GROUPCLASSTEAMSTAFFJURY

FAMILYCOMMITTEE

COLLECTIVE NOUNS

Many collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs, depending on how they are used Singular verb

When the noun refers to people or things acting as a group (doing something together)

Plural verb When the noun refers to people or things acting as

individuals (a group, but everyone does their own thing)

SINGULAR OR PLURAL?

The choir performs each year in the talent show.

The choir come from three different schools. The custodial staff cleans the school

everyday. The custodial staff clean their designated

area.

SINGULAR NOUNS ENDING IN S

Some nouns that end in s or ics look plural, but they are actually singular

MEASLESNEWS

POLITICSMATHEMATICS

PHYSICSECONOMICSCERAMICSMOLASSES

EXAMPLES

Politics attracts people with strong leadership qualities.

The weekend news features local personalities.

TITLES

Titles of works of art, literature, and music are singular

Even a title that consists of a plural noun takes a singular verb The Outsiders is a popular young-adult novel.

MEASUREMENTS AND AMOUNTS

Words and phrases that express weights, measures, numbers, and lengths of time are often treated as singular

They take singularsingular verbs when they refer to amounts rather than numbers of individual items

MEASURES AND AMOUNTS

MEASURES

Three- cups

Forty miles

Three pounds is the approximate weight of an adult human’s brain.

AMOUNTS

Two hours

Eight dollars

Five hours is a long time to wait for lunch.

MEASURES AND AMOUNTS

Fractions A fraction can take a singular or plural verb,

depending on whether it refers to a single part (singular) or to a number of items (plural). One-tenth of the brain’s cells are lost during a lifetime.

(the fraction refers a number of cells) One-half of the cerebrum controls the body’s left side.

(the fraction refers to one part of the cerebrum)

PRACTICE

1. Pediatrics are the branch of medicine dealing with infants and children.

2. Our class learns the four emotions that newborns experience: excitement, surprise, relaxation, and distress.

3. Six weeks are the age when infants first express joy.

4. Twelve months is when babies first experience sadness.

5. Linguistics indicate the babies begin to imitate speech sounds at the age of eight months.

6. Two-thirds of the care group are absent today.

7. Five minutes seem a long time until parents arrive.

8. The family reacts to a child’s different responses.

9. The public often seek advice about raising a child.

10. Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care is a classic book.