GRAMMAR NOTES:GRAMMAR NOTES:ENGLISH IENGLISH I

SUBJECT-VERB SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT RULESAGREEMENT RULES

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENTRule 1:

BASIC RULE:

• A verb must agree with its ____________________ in number and in person. In other words, if the subject is __________________ (only one) , the verb should be singular, and if the subject is _________________ (more than one), the verb should be plural.

EXAMPLES:

Incorrect Example: The boy are going to the movies.

Correct Example: The boy IS going to the movies.

Subject and Verb Rule 2:Subject and Verb Rule 2:Separated by WordsSeparated by Words

RULE:RULE: When words come between the When words come between the

________________ and the _______________, a ________________ and the _______________, a

subject/verb agreement error can occur. It is subject/verb agreement error can occur. It is

important to remember that an object of a important to remember that an object of a

_____________________________ is never the subject _____________________________ is never the subject

of the sentence.of the sentence.

Examples of Rule 2:Examples of Rule 2:

Incorrect Example:Incorrect Example:

The two main The two main goalsgoals of my life of my life isis to go to go to college and get a good job.to college and get a good job.

Correct Example:Correct Example:

The two main The two main goalsgoals of my life of my life areare to to go to college and get a good job.go to college and get a good job.

Notes about Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular = One Plural = More than one

For the most part (not always though), if the subject is SINGULAR, then the verb will end with an “S.” If the subject is PLURAL, then the verb WILL NOT end with an “S.”

Examples:

The cat meows. (singular subject) The cats meow. (plural subject)

There are exceptions to this rule. Keep reading to learn more.

RULE 3: PLURAL SUBJECTS• RULE: If the sentences has two or

more subjects joined by AND, then the verb is almost always _____________________________.

Incorrect: My mother and father is going to the movies.

Correct: My mother and father are going to the movies.

RULE 4:Subjects Joined by Or or Nor

RULE:

If a subject has two or more parts joined by the words “or” or

“nor,” the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is

_________________________ to the verb.

Incorrect: Neither the president nor the vice president are aware of the changes in the plan.

Correct: Neither the president nor the vice president is aware of the changes in the plan.

More Examples of Rule 4:

INCORRECT:

Either my sisters or my mother ENJOY dancing.

In the above sentence, there are two subjects (my sisters and my mother). However, these two subjects are joined with the conjunction “OR.” Thismeans that both subjects don’t enjoy dancing. Only one of the subjects enjoys dancing (my sisters OR my mother). To determine if the verb is singular or plural, first identify the verb. The verb is ENJOY. Now, look at the subject that is NEAREST to the verb. “MOTHER” is nearest to the verb. Since “MOTHER” is singular, then the verb needs to be singular. Therefore, “ENJOY” should be changed to ‘ENJOYS.”

CORRECT:Either my sisters or my mother ENJOYS dancing.

NOTE: THIS RULE ONLY APPLIES WHEN YOU HAVE TWO OR MORESUBJECTS JOINED WITH “OR” OR “NOR.”

RULE 5:

• The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows the word “of.”  

Examples:

• Each of the girls sings well.

• Every one of the cakes is gone.

NOTE:

Everyone is one word when it means everybody.

Every one is two words when the meaning is each one.

RULE 6:

Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.  

Examples:* Ten dollars is a high price to pay.

* Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

RULE 7:

• Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.

Examples:

* The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.

* Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

A verb must agree with its subject in _____________________and _____________________________.

When words come between the subject and the verb, a subject/verb agreement error can occur. It is important to remember that an object of a ___________________________ is never the subject of the sentence.

NUMBERPERSON

PREPOSITION

The two main goals of my life are to The two main goals of my life are to go to college and get a good job.go to college and get a good job.

In the sentence above, what is the In the sentence above, what is the SUBECT of the sentence?SUBECT of the sentence?

GOALS

If a subject has two or more parts connected by the conjunction “and,” the subject is almost always _________________________. If the parts of the subject refer to the same person or thing, however, the subject should be treated as _______________________.

PLURAL

SINGULAR

If a subject has two or more parts joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is _______________________ to the verb.

NEAREST / CLOSEST

The computer that I bought last The computer that I bought last week (is are) working much week (is are) working much better than my old computer.better than my old computer.

Michael Jordan, who is one of the Michael Jordan, who is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, greatest basketball players of all time, (own owns) a house in Wilmington, N.C.(own owns) a house in Wilmington, N.C.

The main problem with horror movies (is The main problem with horror movies (is are) the excessive violence. are) the excessive violence.

English and history (is are) my two favorite subjects.

Neither the students nor the teacher (is are) aware that there will be a fire drill today.

Neither the dog nor the kitten (is are) willing to eat the leftover meatloaf.

The football team (is are) going to win the championship game.