Subject and Verb Agreement

1. Subject and Verb Agreement

2. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. • Mia speaks quietly. • If the subject is plural, use a plural verb. • These bottles are almost empty. • Generally, nouns ending in –s are plural (friends, girls), but verbs ending in -s are singular (likes, plays speaks).

3. 1. he (was, were) • 2. they (come, comes) • 3. children (hurries, hurry) • 4. teachers (does, do) • 5. neighbor (says, say)

4. Is the Subject Plural or Singular? • When the subject is connected by two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb. • Dan and Jake are late. • Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. If one of the subjects is plural, the verb agrees with the one that is closer to it. • Neither the director nor the actors are following the lines closely. • Neither the actors nor the director is following the lines closely.

5. The following pronouns are singular: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody. • Everyone is wearing red. • Each takes a turn leading the group. • Unlike Melissa, neither Sam nor Ben likes scary movies.

6. The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject. • A verb agrees in number with its subject, not with the object of a preposition. • The sign near the glass doors (explains, explain) the exhibit. • The paintings of Emilio Sanchez (was hanging, were hanging) in the gallery.

7. Let’s Practice! • The use of cell phones and cameras (is, are) prohibited in class. • Each of those desserts (look, looks) delicious! • Neither of my children (like, likes) soccer. • Ben or Steven (is, are) probably going to join the team. • If everyone (wants, want) pizza, then we should order pizza. • One of those remotes (is, are) broken. • There (is, are) two ways to get to the park.