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Subject-Verb Agreement. Jordan Bishop . What is it?. The subject and verb must agree in number Both must be singular Or Both must be plural. Subject-Verb Agreement. More often than not, your verb will agree with the first noun to the left of the verb.
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Subject-Verb Agreement Jordan Bishop
What is it? • The subject and verb must agree in number • Both must be singular Or • Both must be plural
Subject-Verb Agreement • More often than not, your verb will agree with the first noun to the left of the verb. Ex. The chief police officer decides the appropriate citation. Subject: chief police officer Verb: decides Ex. The team members were satisfied with the win. Subject: members Verb: were
Plural • If subjects are joined by and, they are considered plural. Ex. The boss and employee are having a meeting. Subject: the boss and employee Verb: are having
Closer Subject • If subjects are joined by orornor, the verb should agree with the closer subject. Ex. Either the players or the coach is at fault. Subject: players, coach Verb: is Ex. Either the coach or the players are at fault. Subject: coach, players Verb: are
Relative Pronouns • The relative pronouns (who, whom, which and that) are either singular or plural, depending on the words they refer to. Ex. The baseball player is a good batter who spends a lot of time at the batting cages. Subject: the baseball player Verbs: is, spends Ex. Baseball players are good batters who spend a lot of time at the batting cages. Subject: baseball players Verb: are, spend
Indefinite Pronouns • Indefinite pronouns (someone, somebody, each, either one, everyone or anyone) are considered singular and need singular verbs although they convey a plural meaning. Ex. Anyone who wants to pursue a higher paying career has to further their education. Subject: anyone Verb: wants, has Ex. Everyone on the team is welcome to express his/her new plays. Subject: everyone Verb: is
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Quiz Answers • 1. Is • 2. Is • 3. Seem • 4. Are • 5. Has • 6. Presents • 7. Are • 8. Have • 9. Appears • 10. Are • 11. Is • 12. Is • 13. Were