2. Today you will review the concept of subject
verb agreement.
Write your answers on your white board and
raise your board at the end of each part.
Your teacher will discuss the correct answers
and take note of your answers.
This online review will be in three parts.
Seatwork on Subject Verb Agreement:
3. As we have learned in class, the subject and verb of a sentence
must agree. Singular subjects need singular verbs. If you use a
plural subject, you need to use a plural verb.
Let's review this concept by answering the following examples.
Part 1:
Subject Verb Agreement
4. has have
Question #1:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
My older sister _______ a large collection of
vintage postage stamps.
5. is are
Vintage postage stamps _______ interesting documents
of how people lived in the past.
Question #2:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
6. is are
Stamp collecting _______ a rare hobby nowadays.
Question #3:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
7. LET'S CHECK OUR ANSWERS!
1. has
2. are
3. is
The singular subject "sister" is paired
with the singular verb "has."
The plural subject "stamps" takes the
plural verb "are."
"Stamp collecting" is taken as singular;
therefore, "is" is the correct verb.
8. At times, one may make the mistake of making the verb "agree"
with words that are not the subject. Be mindful to disregard any
prepositional phrase that comes after the subject. The next few
examples focus on cases like this
Supply the correct verb that correctly completes the sentence.
Part 2:
Subject Verb Agreement and Prepositional
Phrases
9. includes include
Mammals that live in the ocean
_______ dolphins, whales, and
sea otters.
Question #4:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
10. is estimated are estimated
The number of birds in the Amazon rainforest _______
to be almost 4000.
Question #5:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
11. face faces
The ecosystem of savannahs _______
many threats caused by human
activity.
Question #6:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
12. LET'S CHECK OUR ANSWERS!
4. include
5. is estimated
6. faces
Disregard the phrase "that live in the ocean" so that you are left
with the plural subject "mammals."
In this example, the subject is the word singular "number," which
would make the corresponding verb singular as well.
The word "ecosystem" (and not "savannahs") is singular, which
would make the correct verb "faces."
13. When you have a sentence with
linking verbs, the verb should always
agree with the subject--not the
predicate nominative, which is a word
or group of words that completes a
linking verb and renames the subject.
Let's test your understanding of this concept. In the next four examples,
supply the appropriate verb that correctly completes the sentence.
For example, in the sentence
"Jane's grades are a source of
disappointment," the verb "are"
agrees with the plural "grades," and
not the predicate nominative,
"source of disappointment."
Part 3:
Subject Verb Agreement and
Linking Verbs
14. The total cost of the party _______ hundreds of
dollars more than the original budget.
Question #7:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
was were
15. was were
The laughter and noise of the
guests _______ a testament to the
success of the party.
Question #8:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
16. The joy of my mom's life _______ her grandchildren,
who were there at the party.
Question #9:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
is are
17. is are
The yellow roses in the vase _______
a gift to my mom.
Question #10:
Write down the correct verb that agrees with the subject.
18. LET'S CHECK OUR ANSWERS!
7. was
In this example, the subject "cost" takes the verb "was."
8. were
The verb "were" agrees with the subject "the laughter and noise
of the guests" --not the predicate nominative "testament."
9. is
The subject "joy" agrees with the singular verb "is."
10. are
The plural subject "roses" takes the verb "are."
19. Singular subjects are paired with singular verbs,
and plural subjects are paired with plural verbs.
Remember that:
Prepositional phrases can make things seem
tricky; it is good practice to pay no mind to any
prepositional phrases that follow the subject.
For sentences with linking verbs, the verb
should always agree with the subject, and not
the predicate nominative.
You're done reviewing the basics of
Subject Verb Agreement!
30. Read each sentence below carefully. Decide which verb matches the number of
the subject correctly by underlining your choice.
Mom (cook, cooks) breakfast at 7.
James (brings, bring) lunch to school.
Rosa and Matt (clean, cleans) the classroom every Tuesday.
The parents always (agrees, agree) with the teacher.
The children (plays, play) in the playground.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Basic rule: The verb must agree with the subject in number and in
person.
The students, as well as the parents, (plans, plan) for the party.
The student who competed in the competition (honors, honors)
her mother.
The goal of the girls (is, are) to collect funds for the victims of
the typhoon.
1.
2.
3.
Rule 01: Do not let a phrase between the subject and the verb trick you.
The subject is what the verb agrees with, not a noun or pronoun in the
phrase.
31. Read each sentence below carefully. Decide which verb matches the
number of the subject correctly by underlining your choice.
Either the cats or the dog (eats, eat) food in the
morning.
Neither the mother nor the children (know, knows) the
way to the mall.
Not only the principal but also the teachers (submits,
submit) the files every weekend.
Sean or Richard (has brought, have brought) home the
cat.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rule 02: If one subject is singular and the other is plural and
they are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor,
either/or, and not only/but also, use the subject that is
closest to the verb.
Here (is, are) the mail today.
There (is, are) chocolates in the fridge.
There (was, were) a haunted house near the road.
Here (is, are) the answer to your question from
yesterday.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rule 03: If a sentence starts with "there" or "here," the
subject will always come after the verb.
32. Read each sentence below carefully. Decide which verb matches the
number of the subject correctly by underlining your choice.
Everybody (likes, like) apple pie.
Few (wants, want) to be part of the organization.
Someone (refills, refill) the water dispenser every day.
Both (matches, match) that color.
Nobody (listens, listen) to the morning announcement.
Either (write, writes) him a letter.
Many (agree, agrees) on the decision of the president
every meeting.
No one (deserve, deserves) to be treated unfairly.
Several students (attends, attend) the morning ceremony
on the school grounds.
Both (like, likes) the dessert.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Rule 04: The indefinite pronouns "each," "each one," "either,"
"neither," "everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anyone," "nobody,"
"somebody," "someone," and "no one" are all singular and need a
singular verb.
Rule 05: The indefinite pronouns "both", "few", "fewer" ,
"many", "others" , and "several" are all plural and require a
plural verb.
