Subject/Verb

Agreement
RAWAN ALGHAMDI
Objectives
1. Review the rules of subject-verb agreement.

2. Learn about the exceptions of the rules.

3. Practice the rules individually and together.

 The Basic Principle
The basic ideas of agreement are:
1. Singular Subject takes a Singular Verb

For example: The teacher often gives her students homework for the weekend.

2. Plural Subject takes a Plural Verb

For example: Teachers & parents meet twice a year to discuss student progress.
 Let’s refresh our memories
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb.

likes nature. (like)

1. James _____
are doctors. (be)
2. My sisters ______
plays the trumpet. (play)
3. Jonathan ______
hate homework. (hate)
4. The students ______
Rule 1: Compound Subjects
a. Compound Subjects connected with and are usually plural.

For example:
1. The rink and the pool are in need of maintenance.

2. Here are your passport and your visa application.

 The exception
• Compound subject acting as a single unit takes a Singular Verb.
For example:

Rock and Roll Ham and Cheese Fish and Chips

Fish and chips is the dish most commonly associated with England.
• Work in pairs to do exercises 2 and 3
Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

1. Macaroni and cheese _______ a favorite dish among children.

a. is
b. are
2. Gregory's wife and soulmate ______ long walks on the beach at sunrise.
a. enjoy
b. enjoys
3. Both Amy and I ______ watching old movies.
a. like
b. likes
4. Lauren and her best friend Hannah ______ every year to clean up the park.
a. volunteer
b. volunteers
Exercise 3: Make the necessary correction (if needed).
were
1. Two pairs of skis and a fleece vest was stolen from Pedro’s car this weekend.
don’t
2. Alexia and Justin doesn’t want to see that movie.

is
3. A little peace and quiet are all he was looking for.

are
4. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is not included as part of the package.

was
5. Law and order were rare in the Wild West.
b. Compound Subjects connected with:

or
Either/or
Neither/nor
Not only/but
The verb needs to agree with whichever subject is closer.

For example:
- Neither the mayor nor the city councilors have addressed the recent rise in the street crime.
- Neither the city councilors nor the mayor has addressed the recent rise in the street crime.
Your turn!
Individually, do exercise 4
Exercise 4: Choose the correct answer

1. Not only the Smiths but also Jalen ______ agreed to try one of the world-famous chocolate-broccoli
muffins.
a. has b. have

2. Neither Sal's sisters nor his brother ______ visited Newfoundland and Labrador.
a. has b. have

3. Jacquelyn or her children ______ making brownies for the party.

a. is b. are c. has

4. Either Carol or you ______ to clean up the mess.

a. is b. are c. had

5. The dog or the cat ______ mud into the house.

a. track b. tracks

6. Either the waiter _____ the waitress takes your order.

a. or b. and
 Rule 2: Collective Nouns
• A group of people functioning together as a singular thing
• Collective nouns are usually singular and take singular verbs

For example:
- The class organizes a party at the end of each semester.
- The audience was silent as the guitarists began to play.
Examples of collective nouns
 The exception
When you look at the collective nouns ask yourself these questions

1- Is the focus on the noun as a whole?

2- Is the focus on the individual members of the noun?

For example:
-The couple sitting next to us was arguing with the server about the bill.
-The couple sitting next to us were arguing about money throughout the entire meal.
Your turn!
Individually, do exercise 5
Exercise 5: Make the necessary correction in the following sentences (if needed).

1. The organization puts on a barbecue every summer.

has
2. A huge swarm of locusts have destroyed the crops.
were
3. The pack of dogs was running in different directions.
write their
4. Every fall, the English class writes book reports on its summer reading.
 Revision
1. Basic Principle:
Singular subject takes Singular verb/ Plural subject takes Plural verb

2. Compound Subjects connected with and take plural verb unless the compound
subject is acting as single unit.

3. The verb of Compound Subjects connected with (either/or, Neither/nor, or,

Not only/but) agrees with the subject that is closest to the verb.

4. Collective nouns functioning as a whole take singular verbs.

 1 2 3 4 5
Jacquelyn Amy Mark Lauren Gregory
Jonathan Pedro Jalen Adriana Hannah
Melissa James Alexia Justin Sal
Alisha Annie Carol Angeles Kyneth
Josh Yixiao Antonio
• Work as a team
4- Once you have the code, write it down on the paper and hand it to me

5- If the answer is correct, you will receive your next puzzle

Rule 1:

The Basic Principle

2 2 1 2
Rule 2:

Compound Subjects

1 1 1 1
Rule 3:

Collective Nouns

2 2 1 2