basic subject verb agreement, by dr. shadia
DESCRIPTION
Understanding and Using English Grammar.TRANSCRIPT
BASIC SUBJECT-VERB BASIC SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENTAGREEMENT
By: Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar http://www.kau.edu.sa/SBANJER http://wwwdrshadiabanjar.blogspot.com
1Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE
The basic principle behind subject-verb subject-verb agreementagreement is that a singular subject needs a singular verb whereas a plural subject needs a plural verb.
Singular sub. + Singular v. Pl. sub + Pl. v.
2Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
VERBSUBJECT
=Person Number
3Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
4Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
Verb + -s/-es = 3Verb + -s/-es = 3rdrd person singular in the person singular in the simple present tense.simple present tense.
noun + -s/-es = pluralnoun + -s/-es = plural
SINGULAR SINGULAR VERBVERB
PLURAL VERBPLURAL VERB
My My friendfriend livelives s in Boston.in Boston.
My My friendfriendss livelive in Boston.in Boston.
My brother and sister live in Boston.My brother, sister, and cousin live in Boston.
Two or more subjects connected by Two or more subjects connected by and require a plural verb.require a plural verb.
5Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
Every Every man, woman, and child needs needs lovelove..Each Each book and magazine is is listed in the card listed in the card
catalog.catalog.
EXCEPTION:EXCEPTION: EVERY AND EACHEVERY AND EACH
6Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
Every and each are always followed by singular nouns.When there are two or more nouns connected with and the verb is singular
Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 7
SINGULAR VERBSINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERBPLURAL VERBThat That bookbook on on political parties political parties isis interesting.interesting.
The The bookbook I bought I bought at the bookstore at the bookstore waswas expensive expensive
The The ideasideas in That in That book book areare interesting.interesting.
The The booksbooks I I bought at the bought at the bookstore bookstore werewere expensiveexpensive
Interrupting structures do not affect basic subject-verb agreement
Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 8
Gerund
Subject
A singular Verb is required.
Growing flowers is her hobby.
Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 9