Subject Verb AgreementSubject Verb Agreement

totally not boringtotally not boring

The rule The rule

A singular subject must have a A singular subject must have a singular verb; a plural subject singular verb; a plural subject must have a plural verb. must have a plural verb.

But what’s a subject?But what’s a subject?

In a sentence, every verb must have a In a sentence, every verb must have a subject. subject.

If the verb expresses action—like sneeze, If the verb expresses action—like sneeze, jump, bark, or study—the subject is jump, bark, or study—the subject is whowho or or whatwhat does the verb. does the verb.

The speeding car crashed into a telephone The speeding car crashed into a telephone pole. pole.

During his biology lab, Tommy danced on the During his biology lab, Tommy danced on the table. table.

Ron's bathroom is a disaster.Ron's bathroom is a disaster.

What’re the subjects and verbs?What’re the subjects and verbs?

The big, hungry, tentacled Martian The big, hungry, tentacled Martian devoured a student from the back row. devoured a student from the back row.

The bright copper coin sparkled on the The bright copper coin sparkled on the sidewalk. sidewalk.

My dog, along with her seven puppies, has My dog, along with her seven puppies, has chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa cushions. cushions.

Prepositional phrases are not Prepositional phrases are not subjectssubjects

The subject of a verb will never be part of a The subject of a verb will never be part of a prepositional phrase. prepositional phrase.

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition [in, on, at, between, among, etc.] and ends with [in, on, at, between, among, etc.] and ends with a noun, pronoun, or gerund. a noun, pronoun, or gerund.

on the bumpy roadon the bumpy road at homeat home between usbetween us among the empty pizza boxesamong the empty pizza boxes without crying without crying

What’s the subject?What’s the subject?

A group of students were studying for the A group of students were studying for the test. test.

The team of cheerleaders work really hard The team of cheerleaders work really hard in the summer. in the summer.

Modifying phrases and clausesModifying phrases and clauses

Any modifying phrase or clause that Any modifying phrase or clause that comes between the subject and the verb comes between the subject and the verb must be ignoredmust be ignored when determining when determining subject/verb agreement. subject/verb agreement.

The football player, in addition to the rest The football player, in addition to the rest of the team, were awarded a trophy. of the team, were awarded a trophy.

The mayor, together with his two brothers, The mayor, together with his two brothers, are going to be indicted for accepting are going to be indicted for accepting bribes. bribes.

Either/Or – Neither/NorEither/Or – Neither/Nor

When subjects in a sentence are linked by When subjects in a sentence are linked by "either/or" or "neither/nor," the subject that is "either/or" or "neither/nor," the subject that is closer to the verb will determine the number of closer to the verb will determine the number of the verb. the verb.

Either the dogs or the Either the dogs or the cat hascat has knocked over the knocked over the vase.vase.

Either the cat or the Either the cat or the dogs havedogs have knocked over knocked over the vase.the vase.

Neither my brothers nor my sister _____ coming Neither my brothers nor my sister _____ coming to the show. (to the show. (is is or or are?)are?)

Remember!Remember!

REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY, REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY, ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, NONE, etc. are NOBODY, SOMEONE, NONE, etc. are singular and take singular verbs.singular and take singular verbs.

Not one of the students ________ a Not one of the students ________ a calculator! (calculator! (hashas or or havehave?)?)

Anyone _____ allowed to play. (Anyone _____ allowed to play. (is or are?)is or are?)

SuperPowerUp Bonus! SuperPowerUp Bonus! 2 errors each! Find!!!2 errors each! Find!!!

In an interview with Matt Lauer, Britney In an interview with Matt Lauer, Britney Spears explained that neither the tabloids Spears explained that neither the tabloids nor motherhood have taken their toll on nor motherhood have taken their toll on her good spirits. her good spirits.

The International Alliance of Theatrical The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, who are in a salary Stage Employees, who are in a salary dispute with the owners of the LA Forum, dispute with the owners of the LA Forum, are planning to picket Madonna's concert are planning to picket Madonna's concert in Los Angeles this weekend. in Los Angeles this weekend.