Lesson Eight: Agreementof Subject and Predicate

Mastery of English Grammar and Mechanics PowerPoint, © April 2011 by Prestwick House, Inc. All rights reserved.ISBN 978-1-935468-99-1Item #: 308471

In the present tense, most verbs remain unchanged except for the use of he, she, or it. In this instance, the verb takes an “s.”

Most of the time, you won’t have a problem with this agreement.

I walkI walk

you walkyou walk

he, she, it walkshe, she, it walks

(we walk)(we walk)

(you walk)(you walk)

(they walk)(they walk)

Lesson Eight

In this sentence, one is the subject, not boys; therefore, the singular subject one agrees with the singular, third person, walks. The phrase “of the boys” is a prepositional phrase. To make sure you know the subject, first cross out any prepositional phrases.

When words come between the subject and verb.

One of the boys (walk, walks) the fastest.One of the boys (walk, walks) the fastest.

Here are some problem areas:

Lesson Eight

If you are still unsure, try the pronoun substitution check.

One of the boys (drive, drives) the best.One of the boys (drive, drives) the best.

Of all the girls in the troop, Janice and Sally (was, were)the most helpful.Of all the girls in the troop, Janice and Sally (was, were)the most helpful.

One of the boys (He) drives the best.One of the boys (He) drives the best.

Of all the girls in the troop, Janice and Sally, (they) werethe most helpful.Of all the girls in the troop, Janice and Sally, (they) werethe most helpful.

Lesson Eight

The following pronouns are almost always used with singular verbs. Memorize them.

anyone everyone oneeach nobody somebodyeverybody no one someone

anyone everyone oneeach nobody somebodyeverybody no one someone

Remember: of, on, from, with, to, in, for, by, at are the most common introduction to prepositional phrases.

Lesson Eight

Lesson Eight

Everybody in the room (is, are) listening.Everybody in the room (is, are) listening.

Every single person in the room is listening.Every single person in the room is listening.

Each of the boys (has, have) his own. Each of the boys (has, have) his own.

Each one of the boys has his own.Each one of the boys has his own.

Although there are exceptions, none (not one) and any (any single one) are generally singular.

None of us drives.None of us drives.

(not one of us)(not one of us)

Any of the actors is ready.Any of the actors is ready.

(any single actor)(any single actor)

Lesson Eight

The following pronouns are always used with plural verbs:

both few many several both few many several

Several in this box were broken.Several in this box were broken. (they were)(they were)

Both of the doors in the cabinet have opened.Both of the doors in the cabinet have opened. (they have)(they have)

Lesson Eight

Compound subjects joined by and are plural.

Joan and Sue (they) make the best pie.Joan and Sue (they) make the best pie.

Singular subjects joined by or or nor are singular.

Joan or Sue (she) makes the best pie.Joan or Sue (she) makes the best pie.

Lesson Eight

When a singular word and a plural word are joined by or or nor in a compound subject, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.

Bob or his brothers (they) drive to school.Bob or his brothers (they) drive to school.

Neither the firemen nor the chief (he) knows how the firestarted.Neither the firemen nor the chief (he) knows how the firestarted.

In the subject—Bob or his brothers—brothers is closer to the verb “drive,” than Bob is; so it is, they drive—brothers drive.In the subject—Bob or his brothers—brothers is closer to the verb “drive,” than Bob is; so it is, they drive—brothers drive.

Chief is closer to the verb “knows” than firemen is; so it is, he knows—the chief knows.Chief is closer to the verb “knows” than firemen is; so it is, he knows—the chief knows.

Lesson Eight

Here and there are never the subject of a sentence, so lookelsewhere for the subject.

Wrong: There is many reasons why you cannot go.Wrong: There is many reasons why you cannot go.

Right: There are many reasons why you cannot go.Right: There are many reasons why you cannot go.

Lesson Eight

The verb “to do” takes two forms in the present tense: do and does

Generally, few people have trouble with this verb, except when it is used with the contraction n’t. Instead of saying John doesn’t, many people say John don’t. If you get in the habit of saying he does not, rather than using the contraction, you can easily avoid this mistake.

Lesson Eight

I doI do

you doyou do

he, she, it dohe, she, it do

we dowe do

you doyou do

they dothey do

When a noun is used in the sentence, use the pronoun substitution check as well as avoiding the contraction.

The police officer (don’t, doesn’t) know.The police officer (don’t, doesn’t) know.

Jack and Phil (don’t, doesn’t) know either.Jack and Phil (don’t, doesn’t) know either.

Lesson Eight

Jack and Phil (they) do not know either.Jack and Phil (they) do not know either.

The police officer (he) does not know.The police officer (he) does not know.