Subject and predicates must agree in number

The book of poems was published in 1998.

Subjects in Unusual Positions

• Question: Does this music video contain interesting computer graphics?

• Here or there: Here is an on-air announcer with an enjoyable play list.

• Inverted sentence: Around the nation is heard the sound.

Question

Where are the desserts?

-REORDER!

-The desserts are here.

Here or There

-Here are the new bushes.

-REORDER!

-The new bushes are here.

Sentences in unusual order:

-Beyond the hedge lies a fishpond.

-REORDER!

-A fishpond lies beyond the hedge.

Quick Practice

1. Here (is/are) the books that you requested from Mrs. Brown.

2. There (was/were) several players cut from the basketball team.

3. (Do/Does) the animals at the zoo get bored in their cages?

4. Where (is/are) the money for the field trip?

5. There (is/are) many different restaurants in the Disney parks.

6. To the battlefield (march/marches) the soldiers.

7. Near my house (is/are) the best playgrounds.

8. Down the river (rushes, rush) the racing canoe.

9. (Has, Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

Quick Practice1. Here (is/are) the books that you requested from Mrs. Brown.

2. There (was/were) several players cut from the basketball team.

3. (Do/Does) the animals at the zoo get bored in their cages?

4. Where (is /are) the money for the field trip?

5. There (is /are) many different restaurants in the Disney parks.

6. To the battlefield (march /marches) the soldiers.

7. Near my house (is/ are) the best playgrounds.

8. Down the river (rushes /rush) the racing canoe.

9. (Has / Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

More Practice1. (Does, do) the inexperienced actors in the play know their

lines?

2. Off through the woods (runs / run) Little Red Riding Hood.

3. “Off with their heads,” (shouts/shout) the mad queen.

4. There (is / are) ten eggs still in the refrigerator.

5. (Is /Are) the students’ parents invited to the reception?

6. (Does / Do) this restaurant’s fish sandwiches taste fishy?

7. (Do / Does) Wright’s office building still exist?

8. (Was / Were) the players ready for the game?

9. Never before (was/ were) there so many superstars on the field.

More Practice1. (Does / do) the inexperienced actors in the play know their

lines?

2. Off through the woods (runs / run) Little Red Riding Hood.

3. “Off with their heads,” (shouts /shout) the mad queen.

4. There (is / are) ten eggs still in the refrigerator.

5. (Is /Are) the students’ parents invited to the reception?

6. (Does / Do) this restaurant’s fish sandwiches taste fishy?

7. (Do / Does) Wright’s office building still exist?

8. (Was / Were) the players ready for the game?

9. Never before (was/ were) there so many superstars on on the field.)

Prepositional phrases:

If it helps, cross out the prepositional phrase:

The box of chocolates is empty.

The box of chocolates is empty.

Quick Practice1. The boys in the band (is, are) all really talented.

2. The bowl of juicy peaches (was,were) very appealing.

3. The girls on the bench (was, were) very anxious to get in the game.

4. The kids at the playground always (run, runs) wild.

5. My relatives from California (arrive, arrives) today.

6. The box of Oreo cookies (was, were) devoured by me and my friends.

Quick Practice1. The boys in the band (is, are) all really talented.

2. The bowl of juicy peaches (was, were) very appealing.

3. The girls on the bench (was, were) very anxious to get in the game.

4. The kids at the playground always (run, runs) wild.

5. My relatives from California (arrive, arrives) today.

6. The box of Oreo cookies (was, were) devoured by me and my friends.

More Practice

1.Houses by Frank Lloyd Wright (is / are) on the National Register.

2.The students in the honors class (is / are) doing a new project.

3.Movies full of intrigue and adventure (appeals / appeal) to Henry.

4.Meals on the road (is /are) a problem.

5.Maintenance of these older buildings (is / are) very difficult.

6.The list of names of donors (is /are) being read now.

7.The houses at the shore (need/ needs) to withstand hurricanes.

More Practice

1.Houses by Frank Lloyd Wright (is / are) on the National Register.

2.The students in the honors class (is / are) doing a new project.

3.Movies full of intrigue and adventure (appeals / appeal) to Henry.

4.Meals on the road (is /are) a problem.

5.Maintenance of these older buildings (is / are) very difficult.

6.The list of names of donors (is /are) being read now.

7.The houses at the shore (need / needs) to withstand hurricanes.

Collective Nouns

-Names a group of people or things: group, team, family, class, herd

Act as a group, use singular verb

The majority is satisfied with the election results.

The family is going on a trip.

The herd was looking for water when the lions came.

Act as individuals, use plural verb

The majority of the voters are young.

The soccer team are putting on their cleats.

Family are coming from all over to the reunion.

Practice1. The family (is / are) having a reunion this summer.

2. The family (is / are) coming in from all points of the compass.

3. The soccer team (has / have) won the championship.

4. The soccer team (is / are) putting on their cleats.

5. The public also (view /view) politicians as untrustworthy.

6. The class always (spend /spends) time reviewing for a test the day before.

7. After the hunt, the pack (is / are) sleepy and content.

8. A group of photos (show / shows) a loving couple.

9. His boy scout troop (travel / travels) to Washington, D.C., every summer.

10. The troop (work / works) hard to earn their badges.

Practice1. The family (is / are) having a reunion this summer.

2. The family (is / are) coming in from all points of the compass.

3. The soccer team (has / have) won the championship.

4. The soccer team (is / are) putting on their cleats.

5. The public also (view /views) politicians as untrustworthy.

6. The class always (spend /spends) time reviewing for a test the day before.

7. After the hunt, the pack (is / are) sleepy and content.

8. A group of photos (show / shows) a loving couple.

9. His boy scout troop (travel / travels) to Washington, D.C., every summer.

10. The troop (work / works) hard to earn their badges.

Singular nouns that end in s

Physics is a difficult subject for me.

The news is always depressing.

Mumps is a common childhood disease.

Titles are singular

The Thousand and One nights is a collection of stories.

The Outsiders is an excellent book.

The Uglies is a very popular book this year.

Practice

1. Molasses (is /are) an ingredient in baked beans.

2. Twice-Told Tales (was / were) written by Hawthorne.

3. The Gleaners (is / are) a peaceful painting by Jean-Francoise Millet.

4. Measles (is / are) a painful illness.

5. In Country (describe / describes) a girl’s effort to learn more about her father, who was killed in Vietnam.

6. Mathematics (was /were) always my worst subject.

7. Three Serviceman by Frederick Hart (stand / stands) near the wall.

Practice

1. Molasses (is /are) an ingredient in baked beans.

2. Twice-Told Tales (was / were) written by Hawthorne.

3. The Gleaners (is / are) a peaceful painting by Jean-Francoise Millet.

4. Measles (is / are) a painful illness.

5. In Country (describe / describes) a girl’s effort to learn more about her father, who was killed in Vietnam.

6. Mathematics (was /were) always my worst subject.

7. Three Serviceman by Frederick Hart (stand / stands) near the wall.

Time and AmountsWeights, measures, numbers and time are

usually singular:

Ten dollars is the price of a ticket.

Two days is the minimum time needed.

Three cups of flour is needed to make this cake.

Fractions can be plural is the subject is whole

Only three-fourths of the students are healthy.

Half of the cakes were eaten at the party.

Half of the cake was eaten at the party.

Practice1. Twelve dollars (is / are) enough for two dinners.

2. Two tons (equals / equal) four thousand pounds.

3. Four tablespoons of butter (is / are) what the recipe calls for.

4. Sixty cents (is / are) the price a program.

5. Only half of the club members (is / are) present.

6. According to an old saying, half of a loaf (is / are) better than none.

7. Two-thirds of the ornaments (was /were) broken.

8. Two-thirds of the cake (was / were) devoured by the time the party ended.

Practice1. Twelve dollars (is / are) enough for two dinners.

2. Two tons (equals / equal) four thousand pounds.

3. Four tablespoons of butter (is / are) what the recipe calls for.

4. Sixty cents (is / are) the price a program.

5. Only half of the club members (is / are) present.

6. According to an old saying, half of a loaf (is / are) better than none.

7. Two-thirds of the ornaments (was /were) broken.

8. Two-thirds of the cake (was / were) devoured by the time the party ended.

More Practice1. Three days (is / are) how long it takes to read all 58,209 names of soldiers killed or missing in the war.•Two dollars (has / have) always been the maximum fine for children’s books.•Three-eighths of the students (is / are) boys.•Sixteen (was / were) his lucky number.•Only a quarter of the school’s students (study / studies) for midterms.•Only a quarter of the book (was /were) interesting.

More Practice1. Three days (is / are) how long it takes to read all 58,209 names of soldiers killed or missing in the war.•Two dollars (has / have) always been the maximum fine for children’s books.•Three-eighths of the students (is / are) boys.•Sixteen (was / were) his lucky number.•Only a quarter of the school’s students (study / studies) for midterms.•Only a quarter of the book (was /were) interesting.

Indefinite Pronouns as SubjectsSingular: another everybody nothing

anybody everyone oneanyone everything somebodyanything neither/either someoneeach no one

__________________________________________________Plural: both few many

several

__________________________________________________Both: all any most

none some

Indefinite pronouns as subjects can be singular, plural and

sometimes plural

Practice1. Someone (is/ are) bringing fried chicken to the potluck.

2. Several of my friends (agree/agrees) that basketball is more fun than baseball.

3. Everyone (want/wants) to hold the party in the gym. ne

4. Nobody (know/knows) how the hamster got out of the cage.

5. A few of my classmates (is/are) absent today.

6. No one in the class (want / wants) to speak up.

7. Both of the houses (was /were) damaged in the fire.

8. Everything in my bedroom (was/ were) covered with dust.

9. Some of the students (was / were) absent.

10.Some of the pie (was / were) eaten.

Practice1. Someone (is/ are) bringing fried chicken to the potluck.

2. Several of my friends (agree /agrees) that basketball is more fun than baseball.

3. Everyone (want/ wants) to hold the party in the gym. ne

4. Nobody (know/ knows) how the hamster got out of the cage.

5. A few of my classmates (is/ are) absent today.

6. No one in the class (want/ wants) to speak up.

7. Both of the houses (was/ were) damaged in the fire.

8. Everything in my bedroom (was/ were) covered with dust.

9. Some of the students (was/ were) absent.

10.Some of the pie (was/ were) eaten.

More practice

1. All of the materials in this section (is/ are) nonfiction.

2. Both of the librarians (is / are) willing to help.

3. Each of the librarians (has/ have) years of experience.

4. Some of the magazines (was/ were) bound.

5. A few of the finalists (has /have) been chosen.

6. Nobody among the students (is / are) allowed to eat lunch in the library.

7. Several of the students (has/ have) used the unabridged dictionary already.

8. Either of the girls (was/ were)allowed in the storeroom.

9. Most of my friends (is/are) excited about the news.

10. (is / are) any of those science fiction books by Isaac Asimov?

More practice1. All of the materials in this section (is/ are) nonfiction.

2. Both of the librarians (is / are) willing to help.

3. Each of the librarians (has/ have) years of experience.

4. Some of the magazines (was/ were) bound.

5. A few of the finalists (has /have) been chosen.

6. Nobody among the students (is / are) allowed to eat lunch in the library.

7. Several of the students (has/ have) used the unabridged dictionary already.

8. Either of the girls (was/ were)allowed in the storeroom.

9. Most of my friends (is/ are) excited about the news.

10. (Is / Are) any of those science fiction books by Isaac Asimov?

Mixed Prep

1. Several of the students (has /have) already turned in their papers.

2. There (is/ are) too many heavy boxes on the shelf.

3. Deep in the forest (live/ lives) an evil, old witch.

4. (Was/ were) any of the pie left from the party?

5. Up into the heavens (soar/ soars) the pilot in his plane.

6. The girl with all her friends (go/ goes) for ice cream every Friday night.

7. The players, as well as the coach, (want / wants) to win.

6. Three-eighths of the cup (is / are) filled.

7. For me, mathematics (is / are) a required course next year.

8. (Is /Are) three-eighths more than one-half?

Mixed Prep

1. Several of the students (has /have) already turned in their papers.

2. There (is/ are) too many heavy boxes on the shelf.

3. Deep in the forest (live/ lives) an evil, old witch.

4. (Was/ were) any of the pie left from the party?

5. Up into the heavens (soar/ soars) the pilot in his plane.

6. The girl with all her friends (go/ goes) for ice cream every Friday night.

7. The players, as well as the coach, (want / wants) to win.

6. Three-eighths of the cup (is / are) filled.

7. For me, mathematics (is / are) a required course next year.

8. (Is /Are) three-eighths more than one-half?

More Mixed Prep

9. From the ashes of the burned block (soar, soars) the skyscrapers.

10. A problem for the plumbing and electrical departments (are/is) vandals.

11.(Has/ Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

12. Here (are/ is) a list of books for my biology class.

13. Each of the librarians (have/ has) years of experience.

14. Only one box of crackers (is/ are) left on the shelf.

15. Two dollars (is /are) the price of a coffee.

16.Half of the pie (is /are) gone already.

17.Never (has/ have) I been so excited to see a concert.

More Mixed Prep

9. From the ashes of the burned block (soar, soars) the skyscrapers.

10. A problem for the plumbing and electrical departments (are/ is) vandals.

11.(Has/ Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

12. Here (are/ is) a list of books for my biology class.

13. Each of the librarians (have/ has) years of experience.

14. Only one box of crackers (is/ are) left on the shelf.

15. Two dollars (is /are) the price of a coffee.

16.Half of the pie (is /are) gone already.

17.Never (has/ have) I been so excited to see a concert.

Subject Verb Agreement HW:

1. Here is your four tickets for the concert on Monday. are

2.Near the back of the stable hide an old stray cat. hides

3.The crate of Christmas ornaments are in the attic. is

4.The hungry pack of wolves surround their prey. surrounds

5.There are a small bag of chips in my drawer. is

6.The students from Mrs. Crowley’s class is not happy about the upcoming

quiz. are

7.Does the Eagles have a chance at the Superbowl this year? do

8.A loud group of teens were hanging out on the corner by my house last

night. was

9.There is many skiers in the starting gates. are

10.Down the steep slope races the athletes. race

Subject Verb Agreement HW continued:

1. There is some benefits to games at the home stadium. are

2.In the bleachers sits all your fans. sit

3.There is fewer hostile fans from the other team. are

4.Are travel time shorter to and from the game? is

5.On the field gathers the players. gather

6.Is the umpires favoring the home team? are

7.Do the team usually play better on its own field? does

8.There is more wins at home. are

9.The team of players attend a banquet dinner after the season each

year. attends

10. Mathematics are very difficult for me. is

Practice Quiz

1. (Were/ was) the exchange student taking English as a second language?

2. Up into the clouds (soar/ soars) the skyscrapers.

3. From the ashes of the burned block (rise/ rises) a new neighborhood.

4. A problem for the plumbing and electrical departments (are/ is) vandals.

5. One of my favorite pastimes (is/ are) going to the library.

6. The students in the honors class (is / are) doing a new project.

7. Meals on the road (is / are) a big problem.

8. There (was/ were) seven ducks in the pond this afternoon.

9. There (is /are) ten eggs in the refrigerator.

10.(Has/ Have) the famous architect visited her completed homes?

Practice Quiz Cont.

1. (Is / Are) any of those science fiction books by Isaac Asimov?

2. Here (are/ is) the list of books for my biology class.

3. Down the river (rushes / rush) the racing canoes.

4. Each of the librarians (have / has) years of experience.

5. A few of the finalists (have / has) been chosen.

6. Only one box of crackers ( is / are) left on the shelf.

7. Movies full of intrigue and adventure (appeal / appeals) to Henry.

8. One of the quarterbacks (has / have) been out sick.

9. Most of the neighbors (was / were) out of town.

10.(Was/ were) any of the athletes in the speech competition?

Subject Verb Agreement Quizzes and Games

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=WCN3302

http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/subject_verb_agreement/quiz2181.html

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/svagr2.htm

http://gotkidsgames.com/sv/sv.html

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/sv_agr_quiz.htm

http://www.quia.com/rr/199646.html