Singular versus PluralSingular versus PluralSingular versus Plural

Along With Subject/Verb Agreement

Noun RulesNoun Rules

Nouns USUALLY add an –S to make Nouns USUALLY add an –S to make themselves pluralthemselves pluralNouns without an –S are USUALLY Singular Nouns without an –S are USUALLY Singular There are a few exceptions to the rule.There are a few exceptions to the rule.– Examples : Examples : The The dogdog runs. =singular runs. =singular

: The : The dogsdogs run. =plural run. =plural: The : The bookbook is good. = singular is good. = singular : The : The booksbooks are good. =plural are good. =plural: The : The kidskids like to read. = plural like to read. = plural: The : The kidkid likes to read. = singular likes to read. = singular: Abby drives to the store. = singular: Abby drives to the store. = singular: The students ride to the store. = plural: The students ride to the store. = plural

Noun ExceptionsNoun Exceptions

The The deerdeer ate berries from the tree. ate berries from the tree. – Singular or pluralSingular or plural

The The deerdeer both ate berries from the tree. both ate berries from the tree.– PluralPlural

The scissors are in the basket on the shelf.The scissors are in the basket on the shelf.– Singular or pluralSingular or plural

The scissors are sharp.The scissors are sharp.– Plural or singularPlural or singular

The pants fit great.The pants fit great.– Singular or pluralSingular or plural

The pants are all hung in the closet.The pants are all hung in the closet.– Plural or singularPlural or singular

Each example are interchangeable.

They can be singular and plural

in each of these example

sentences.

Verb RulesVerb Rules

Verbs add an –S to make themselves Verbs add an –S to make themselves singular (opposite of nouns)singular (opposite of nouns)

Verbs without an –S are pluralVerbs without an –S are plural– Examples: He Examples: He drivesdrives the bus. = singular the bus. = singular

: We : We drivedrive to school. = plural to school. = plural

: Annie : Annie watcheswatches TV. = singular TV. = singular

: The students : The students watchwatch the movie. = plural the movie. = plural

: He : He runsruns after school. = singular after school. = singular

: Susie and Tommy : Susie and Tommy runrun after school. = plural after school. = plural

Verb ExceptionsVerb Exceptions

Susie and Tommy Susie and Tommy eateat lunch. = plural lunch. = plural

I I eateat lunch. = singular lunch. = singular

Tricky VerbsTricky Verbs

Am, Is, Are, Was, & Were: Which are Am, Is, Are, Was, & Were: Which are singular and which are plural?singular and which are plural?– Am, Is, Was = singularAm, Is, Was = singular– Are & Were = pluralAre & Were = plural

Subject/Verb AgreementSubject/Verb Agreement

A sentence with a A sentence with a singular subjectsingular subject must must have a have a singular verbsingular verb– Singular subject = one person, one place, or Singular subject = one person, one place, or

one thingone thingExample: The boy is here.Example: The boy is here.

A sentence with a plural subject must have A sentence with a plural subject must have a plural verb.a plural verb.– Plural subject = two or morePlural subject = two or more

Example: the boys are hereExample: the boys are here

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman Rules

Rule #1Rule #1A compound subject joined by “A compound subject joined by “andand” is ” is always plural (requires a plural verb).always plural (requires a plural verb).– Example: Johnny and Sally (play, plays) Example: Johnny and Sally (play, plays)

together.together.Subject:Subject:

Verb:Verb:

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman RulesRule #2Rule #2

In a sentence with a compound subject In a sentence with a compound subject joined by “joined by “oror” or “” or “nornor”- the verb must agree ”- the verb must agree with the subject closest to the verb.with the subject closest to the verb.– Examples:Examples:

Sarah or Sam (drive, drives) to school everyday.Sarah or Sam (drive, drives) to school everyday.– Subject:Subject:– Verb:Verb:

The teacher or the students (need, needs) to The teacher or the students (need, needs) to present that information to the school board.present that information to the school board.

– Subject:Subject:– Verb:Verb:

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman RulesRule #3Rule #3

The subject of a sentence can The subject of a sentence can NEVERNEVER be part of a prepositional phrase.be part of a prepositional phrase.

ExamplesExamples– The group of students (ride, rides) together.The group of students (ride, rides) together.

Subject:Subject:

Verb: Verb:

– At the store, he (buy, buys) food.At the store, he (buy, buys) food.Subject:Subject:

Verb:Verb:

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman RulesRule #4Rule #4The subject of a sentence is The subject of a sentence is NEVERNEVER part of a phrase part of a phrase starting with starting with “with,” “including,” “as well as,” “with,” “including,” “as well as,” “together with,” “in addition,” “ which,” “who,” or “together with,” “in addition,” “ which,” “who,” or “along with.”“along with.”

Examples:Examples:– He, as well as she, (like, likes) to go to the movies.He, as well as she, (like, likes) to go to the movies.

Subject:Subject:Verb:Verb:

– The kids, along with their parents, (go, goes) on The kids, along with their parents, (go, goes) on vacation.vacation.

SubjectSubjectVerb:Verb:

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman RulesRule #5Rule #5The following indefinite pronouns used in subjects The following indefinite pronouns used in subjects of sentences are of sentences are SINGULARSINGULAR: everyone, anyone, : everyone, anyone, everybody, each, one, either, neither, no one, everybody, each, one, either, neither, no one, nobody, anything, another, anybody.nobody, anything, another, anybody.

– Example:Example:Everyone (go, goes) to the game.Everyone (go, goes) to the game.

– Subject:Subject:– Verb:Verb:

Each of us (like, likes) something different.Each of us (like, likes) something different.– Subject:Subject:– Verb:Verb:

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman RulesRule # 6Rule # 6

The following indefinite pronouns used as The following indefinite pronouns used as subjects in sentences are subjects in sentences are PLURALPLURAL: : several, few, both, & many.several, few, both, & many.– Example: Both of the boys (is, are) here.Example: Both of the boys (is, are) here.

Subject:Subject:

Verb:Verb:

– Many of the students (drive, drives) to school.Many of the students (drive, drives) to school.Subject:Subject:

Verb:Verb:

The Gatza/Goodman RulesThe Gatza/Goodman RulesRule # 7Rule # 7

The following indefinite pronouns in the subject The following indefinite pronouns in the subject can be either can be either SINGULAR or PLURALSINGULAR or PLURAL: :

some, any, none, all, & most.some, any, none, all, & most.–They are They are singularsingular when they refer to when they refer to one thingone thing..–They are They are pluralplural when they refer to when they refer to several thingsseveral things..

Example: All of this paper (is, are) mine.Example: All of this paper (is, are) mine.– Subject:Subject:– Verb:Verb:

Example: All of the stores (is, are) open.Example: All of the stores (is, are) open.– Subject:Subject:– Verb:Verb: