Subject-Verb Agreement?

Remember back to our previous discussions of paragraph and sentence unity in your writing.

Singular subjects use singular verbs.

Plural subjects take plural verbs.

See note for a nifty subject-verb agreement chart.

Subjects and verbs must have agreement in number. When dealing with pronouns, you will use specific pronouns depending on whether you are dealing with first, second, or third person subjects.

Singular PluralFirst PersonI WeSecond PersonYou YouThird PersonHe, She, It They

All nouns can be used in the third person.

Is Versus Are!

Is v Are

Hydrogen peroxide is an unstable compound.

Characters are not well developed in O Henry's short stories.

Pause.

Take a breath!!!

Questions?

Subject-Verb Agreement!

When you are dealing with the present tense, add an "s" to the verb.

The President has the power to veto congressional legislation.

Singular nouns in the third person also include an "s" on the verb.

She frequently cites statistics to support her assertions.

See note for more about collective nouns, which refer to a singular group of people.

Collective nouns that refer to groups of people (audience, class, family, etc) are also considered singular because they describe a group of people acting as one.

Even More Subject-Verb Agreement!

When dealing with a plural noun, do not add an "s"

Experts recommend that dieters avoid salty processed meat.

Compound nouns will be determined by the closet noun to the verb.

See note for more about compound nouns and subjects.

Compound Nouns/SubjectsMost compound nouns are joined by and and can be considered plural. To determine compound nouns or subjects that are joined by a coordinating conjunction, consider the noun closest to the verb. If the closest noun or subject is plural, the subject is plural. However, if the closest noun or subject to the verb is singular than the subject is singular.

Example 1-Air bags and antilock brakes are standard on all new models. (plural subject=plural verb are)

Example 2-Rhythm and blues is a forerunner of rock and roll. (singular subject=singular verb is)

Compound subjects joined by or may be singular or plural verbs. If both subjects are singular, use a singular verb. If both subjects are plural, use a plural verb.

Example 1-Either radiation or chemotherapy is combined with surgery for the most effective results. (Singular)

Example 2-Either radiation treatments or chemotherapy sessions are combined with surgery for the most effective results. (plural)

See the examples on the bottom of page 458 in The DK Handbook for more information and examples.

Modifying Phrase!

When some kind of modifying phrase comes between the subject and verb, the verb will still agree with the subject.

See note for more information and examples.

Modifying PhraseWhen a modifying phrase comes between the subject and verb, the verb will always agree with the subject. Imagine the modifying phrase is invisible.

Example-The sound of the drumbeats builds in intensity in Eugene O'Neill's play The Emperor Jones (of the drumbeats is a prepositional phrase. Sound is the subject, builds is the verb).

Subject-Verb Agreement!!!

Group Work???!!!???

Psst! See the note on this slide for some tips about revising erroneous subject-verb agreement.

Here are some tips for revising subject verb agreement:

Person1. Find the subject of the sentence.2. Determine if the subject is in the first, second, or third person.3. Determine the same for the sentence's verb.4. If the subject and verb have the same person, your sentence is grammatically correct.

Number1. Find the sentence's subject.2. Is the subject's number singular or plural?3. Find the sentence's verb: is the number singular or plural?4. If the subject and verb of the sentence are the same number, your sentence is grammatically correct.

Group Work!

Get in groups! Write the following sentences in regards to subject-verb agreement:

Two sentences using is and are.

One sentence using a singular noun in the third person.

One sentence using a plural noun.

Professor Wend will give you an example for collective nouns and compound nouns.

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