Subject-verb agreement rules

A title of a creative work always acts as a ___________subject.

singular. Example: "Glory Days" DESCRIBES high school experiences.

The names of countries and cities require _____________verbs.

singular. Example: New Orleans HOSTS Mardi Gras every spring.

When a fraction refers to a singular word, use a _______________verb.

singular. Example: One fourth of the cookie dough IS in the bowl.

If a singular subject is linked to another noun in a phrase, the noun is still considered ____________.

singular. Example: Sleet, in addition to snow, IS a driver's nightmare.

Units of measurement usually require __________ verbs.

singular. Example: Ten kilometers WORKS out to one myriameter.

What two things must "agree" in a sentence (meaning both be plural or both be singular)?

subject and verb

When compound subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with _____________.

the subject closer to it. Example: My dog or my cat IS responsible for this mess.

When compound subjects are joined by "neither/nor," the verb agrees with _______________.

the subject closer to it. Example: Neither the cows nor the goat EATS bananas.

A compound subject is plural UNLESS ______________.

the two nouns are part of the same thing- like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Example: Peanut butter and jelly IS my favorite type of sandwich.

A compound subject is when...?

there are two or more subjects in for a verb in a sentence

compound subject (two nouns) is considered plural, unless _____________________________.

they are part of the same thing. Example: The lion and the tiger ARE roaring.

Titles, amounts, and ______ are always singular subjects with singular verbs.

time

-one, -body, -thing, each, either, neither

usually singular

What is the subject of a sentence?

It is the thing/person that does the action/does the work.

What kind of verb (singular or plural) goes with these words: mumps, measles, and news?

singular verb

When is a singular collective noun paired with a SINGULAR verb?

when all members are acting like ONE, unified group

When is a singular collective noun paired with a PLURAL verb?

when the members are acting like a bunch of different people (not like one, unified group)

Present SIMPLE PRESENT

you helshelit

Ndifelani and Marlize sit on the couch.

"and" is 2 subjects = plural

Singular verbs typically end in what letter?

"s" at the end of the verb

any, all, none, most, some, more

"weird" indefinite pronouns

The room with the flowers is beautiful.

"with the flowers" are not the subject. It is only a phrase to describe the room. The room is singular

The old store at the corner of the street that sold delicious muffins and the old building at the end of the university are going to be renovated next year.

A plural subject seperated by a lot of words are still plural.

The audit committee meets two times a year.

Collective noun (committee) act as one group.

The class are tuning their instruments.

Collective noun is plural when acting as different members. Everyone is tuning their instruments on their own although it is one class. TIP: When you can put "members" in the sentence, it is probably plural.

The group of students is walking to the class.

Collective noun is singulare when acting as one group. (What do you see in your picture?)

Each child is important.

Each is singular.

Something makes this noice.

Everything, something, nothing is plural.

What is the verb of a sentence?

It is the action that is going on in the sentence.

How does one figure out if a compound subjects that's joined by "or/nor" is singular or plural?

Look at the subject closest to the verb.

The words "here, there, and where" will ____ be the subject.

NEVER

Explain the rule in the following sentences. Ndifelani sits on the couch.

Ndifelani is singular. Singular verb gets a "s".

When a collective noun is talking about individual group members, use _________________verbs.

Plural. Example: His family ARE getting haircuts today.

When a collective noun is referred to by "their," use a ____________verb.

Plural. Example: The committee SIGN their names.

When "every" precedes a subject, the subject is _________.

Singular. Example: Every chair, bench, and table WAS taken.

When a COLLECTIVE noun is talking about a group as a whole, use ______________ verbs.

Singular. Example: His family IS from Italy.

When the phrase "many a" precedes a subject, the subject is ________________.

Singular. Example: Many a student LIVES in this dorm.

When a collective noun is referred to by "its," use a ____________verb.

Singular. Example: The committee SUBMITS its report.

When "dollars" is talking about a single amount of money, it acts like a __________ subject.

Singular. Example: Three dollars IS not too much.

What is the object of a sentence?

That is the person/things that the action are being done to.

Nobody has fallen down.

Words with body (somebody, everybody, nobody) takes a singular word.

Everyone is sitting in his chair.

Words with one (someone, no one, everyone, anyone) is singular. (It is "his" and not "their" chair because it must be singular for "is".

What is a collective noun?

a noun that refers to a whole group of people, like orchestra, jury, team, class, family, etc.

What type of verb (singular or plural) does NOT end in the letter "s"?

a plural verb

Where are subjects in a sentences that begins with the words "here, there, and where"?

after the verb

None of the cake pieces are left.

all, some, none, depend on the context

Some of the cake is left.

all, some, none, depend on the context

An ____ is a renaming of the noun right in front of it (may be inside commas) and is NEVER the subject.

appositive

"Weird" indefinite pronouns may be...?

either singular or plural

A verb phrase is made up of...?

helping verb + main verb (can sleep)

The simple subject is never in a prepositional _________.

phrase. Example: The foliage on the trees PROVIDES shade.

Compound subjects that are joined by "and" are almost always...?

plural

both, few, many, several

plural indefinite pronouns

What kind of verb (singular or plural) goes with these words: scissors, eyeglasses, and pants?

plural verb

When "dollars" is talking about individual dollars, it acts as a ___________ subject.

plural. Example: Three dollars ARE on the table.