Subject-Verb Agreement

English 9

Ms. Parviainen

Singular versus Plural

In English, we can make words singular and pluralSingular, meaning “one”Plural, meaning “two or more”

Nouns and verbs can be singular or plural

Singular and Plural NounsSingular Nouns Truck Player Box Watch Woman Mouse

Plural Nouns Trucks Players Boxes Watches Women Mice

Singular and Plural Pronouns

Singular Pronouns I You He She It

Plural Pronouns We You They

Singular and Plural VerbsSome verbs are always singular:

He walked, Emily walkedHe has walked, Emily has walkedI am, She is

Some verbs can be singular or plural:I walk, they walkYou are, they are

Combining them Singular nouns needs singular verbs Plural nouns need plural verbs

She always tells the truth.They always tell the truth.

The twins always tell the truth.The twin always tells the truth.

Also… A phrase or clause that interrupts a

subject and its verb does not affect subject-verb agreement.

The captain of the guards stands at attention.

The troopers whom the captain put in charge of the roadblock stand on either side.

Do Subject-Verb Agreement A,-B 105-6

Indefinite Pronouns Pronouns are words used in place of

regular nouns, like “he”, “she”, or “it”. Some pronouns are “indefinite

pronouns”—they refer to no specific noun.

Some pronouns are singular, some are plural, and some can be singular or plural depending on how they are used.

Singular Indefinite Pronouns Another Anybody Anyone Anything Each Either Everybody Everyone Everything Little

Much Neither Nobody no one Nothing One Other Somebody Someone Something

Plural Indefinite Pronouns Both Few Many Others Several

Singular/Plural Indefinite Pronouns All Any More Most None Some

Do Subject-Verb Agreement: Indefinite Pronouns A,-B p. 107-108

Compound Subjects

What is a compound subject? A subject is the person or thing

committing the act described in the verb:The author fought during WWII.

A compound subject links two or more subjects to one verb:J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were in a

literary society.

Compound Subject Agreement

A compound subject joined by “and” is generally plural and must have a plural verb.Penny and Rose are going to lose. The boys and the girls are going to have a

rematch.The twins and Sam are going to have a

rematch.

Compound Subject Agreement

Two or more singular objects joined by “or” or “nor” must have a singular verb.Beth or Sam is going to win. Neither sleet nor snow can stop us.

Two or more plural subjects joined by “or” or “nor” must have a plural verb.Beth, Sam, or the twins are going to win.Either the twins or Sam are going to win.

Compound Subject Agreement If the parts of the compound item are

thought of as one item, a singular verb is neededBacon and eggs is my favorite breakfast.

If a singular and plural subject are joined by “or” or “nor”, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.Neither the team members nor the coach

has been to the Superbowl.Do Agreement with Compound Subjects A-B, Page 109-110