Subject/Verb Agreement Rules

1. Subject/Verb Agreement Rules By: Ms. Tipton

2. Directions:(clean sheet of paper) • Subject-Verb Agreement Powerpoint notes Grade: Write the entire powerpoint including EVERYTHING on EACH slide. (GRADE) 2. Sticky Note Grade: 10 Multiple Choice Questions on a sticky note attached to bottom of powerpoint notes

3. Rule #1: Compound Subjects A subject is the noun or pronoun of a sentence. Compound Subject: a subject that has more than one subject. Ex: The frog and the fish are jumping everywhere.

4. Rule #2: Compound Verbs A verb is usually the action of a sentence. Compound Verb: 2 verbs in the sentence: Ex: That person fell off his house and was rushed to the emergency room. Ex: They had lost their coats in the storm and got very cold and wet. (cold and wet are adjectives)

5. Coordinating Conjunctions: F=for A=and N=nor B=but O=or Y=yet S=so “and”=plural “or/nor”=look to the subject closest to the verb

6. Rule #3 Compound Subjects joined by “or”/”nor”=look at subject closest to verb When a singular subject is connected by or/nor to a plural subject, look at the subject closest to the verb. Finger block the conjunction and everything in front of it. Read the sentence and choose a verb that matches the 2nd subject. Ex: The games or controllersgo on that shelf.

7. Rule #4: Compound Subjects joined Coordinating Conjunction: “and”=plural The coordinating conjunction “and” will always have a plural verb. Ex: Video games and TV are my means of entertainment.

8. Rule #5 Prep. Phrases between subject and verb: Cross out prep. phrases when come between subject and verb. Ex: Each of the boys (play/plays) their video games well. Ex: The number of people we need is sixteen.

9. Rule #6: Singular Indefinite Pronouns Singular Indefinite pronouns: “One/Body/Thing” pronouns: everyone, everybody, everything Someone, somebody, something No one, nobody, nothing Anyone, anybody, anything Either, neither, one, each Neither of my friends want to swim in the cold river.

10. Singular Indefinite Pronouns: When either or neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.

11. Rule #7: Plural Indefinite Pronouns: • Plural Indefinite Pronouns: both, few, many, several • Both of my sons are very special to me! • Few of the teachers run in races. • Many of the teachers stay very busy. • Several of my students have a cell phone.

12. Rule #8: Both Singular and Plural Indefinite Pronouns: “finicky” • Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns: depending on how they are used in the sentence: Look at object of preposition. • All, any, more, most, none, some • Ex. Some of the students are in my class today. • All of the dogs are at the barn. • More of the students are at school. • None of the students have homework.

13. Rule #9: Here/There begins sentence?: reverse the sentence The words here and there have been generally labeled as adverbs even though they indicate place. When the sentence begins with “here” or “there,” a subject follows a verb. Ex: There are four hurdles to jump. Reverse Sentence: Four hurdles are there to jump.

14. Rule #10: Correlative Conjunctions: “either/or, neither/nor” • “Either” and “Neither” are not always indefinite pronouns; • Either/or= Neither/nor= can be correlative conjunctions • Either Buttercup or Sapphire has gotten sick on the floor in the kitchen.

15. Rule #11: Interrogative Sentence?: Change to Declarative • If you have an interrogative sentence, change it to a declarative. • Why? An interrogative sentence splits the subject and verb. • In an interrogative sentence, the subject follows the verb. Find the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with it. • (Write both sentences) Interrogative: Are all of the boxes out of the rain and inside the house? Declarative: All of the boxes are out of the rain and inside the house.

16. Rule #12: Contractions: Take out contraction: not part of verb • The word don’t is the contraction of do not. Use don’t with all plural subjects and with the pronouns I and you. • I don’t want this blue nail polish on my nails anymore.

17. Sticky Note Check (grade) • Write your name on the top on a sticky note. Number 1-10 on the sticky note and answer the following multiple choice questions for a grade. • Stick the sticky note on the bottom of your powerpoint notes.

18. Multiple choice questions 1-Police ________ their lives to protect the community. A-risk B-risks C-endanger D-injure

19. Multiple choice questions 2-Strong winds _______ through the open doors. A-blow B-blows C-hurls D-smashes

20. Multiple choice questions 3- Each day gang members _______ trash in the park. A- throw B- throws C- blows D-moves

21. Multiple choice questions 4- Some people ________ reggae music, but I like rock. A-likes B-liked C-like D-liking

22. Multiple choice questions 5- Doctors ______ that listening to music at full blast can damage your ears. A-saying B-says C-say D-said

23. Multiple choice questions 6-At the weapons expo, the winner ________ a million dollars. A-receives B-received C-receiving D-receive

24. Multiple choice questions 7-The flood near those houses ________ the road quickly. A-clearing B-clear C-cleared D-clears

25. Multiple choice questions 8-No one _______ listening to the speaker at the party. A-were B-was C-where D-when

26. Multiple choice questions 9-Nearly everybody in Ben’s family _______ the sub sandwiches that his uncle makes. A-loving B-love C-loves D-loved

27. Multiple choice questions 10- James’ mom doesn’t _____ his choice of video games. A-liking B-likes C-like D-liked