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Grammar Focus 2: Subject-Verb Agreement. The Basics:. A singular subject takes a singular verb All plural subjects take plural verbs But of course it isn’t as easy as that…. The Keys:. Recognizing singular vs. plural verbs Identifying the subject
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The Basics: • A singular subjecttakes a singular verb • All plural subjectstake plural verbs • But of course it isn’t as easy as that…
The Keys: • Recognizing singular vs. plural verbs • Identifying the subject • Determining if the subject is singular or plural
Hint #1: • Verbs DO NOT form plurals by adding an “s” like nouns do Hint #2: • Determine singular verbs by substituting “he” for the subject • Determine plural verbs by substituting “they” for the subject
Try it: • What is the verb in the sentence below? Daisy, leader among students, loves speaking in public and attending debate tournaments.
Try it: Daisy, leader among students, loves speaking in public and attending debate tournaments. • Is the verb singular or plural? • Would you say “HE loves” or “THEY loves?” • HE means singular, loves is singular, so the subject of this sentence has to be singular also!
Someone other than me… • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkoi6vQO-SM
Now the tricky parts: • Sentences with “or” or “nor” in the subject- • The verb must agree with whichever is closest to the verb • Either his brothers orWillis going to have to take me home. • Either Will orhis brothersare going to have to take me home.
Now the tricky parts: • If the subject contains “and,” it is necessarily plural and takes a plural verb • Richielle andMalikare in 5th period together. • “They are” (NOT “he are”)
Now the tricky parts: • A subject followed by a phrase beginning with “along with,” “as well as,” or “in addition to” is NOT changed by these phrases (they are not like “and”) • Crystal, in addition to her classmates, is aggravated by subject/verb agreement. • Verb? • is… “he is” • Subject? • just Crystal (singular)
Now the tricky parts: • These pronouns: each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verb • Everybody in 6th period says grammar is fun. • “He says” (NOT “they says”)
Now the tricky parts: • Either and neither (as the sole subject) always take singular verbs • Either of us is capable of doing the job. • If the subject is “Either…or…” or “Neither…nor…,” refer to the earlier rule about “or” or “nor” within subjects. Told you it got tricky-
Now the tricky parts: • Always IGNORE any phrases between the subject and the verb. • Each of the girls is ready for the quiz. • Each of the girls is ready for the quiz. • Eachof the girlsis ready for the quiz.
Practice! • http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/subject_verb_agreement_1.asp