5 Points Of Subject-Verb Agreement Flashcards
Subject-Verb Agreement
Exception 1. to the compound subject rule
If the two parts make up one thing, use a singular verb.
“The skull and crossbones was a famous pirate symbol”
Verb = was - singular
Compound subject = skull and crossbones
Subject-Verb Agreement
Exception 2. To the compound subject rule:
If the two parts of the compound subject are preceded by “each” or “every” use a singular verb.
“Each pot and pan was washed and carefully put away”
Verb = was - singular
Subject-Verb Agreement - Tricky!
A Compound Subject
“A compound subject consists of two or more parts which are joined by a conjunction, usually “and” or “or”
If joined by “and” - usually use a plural verb
“Rob and Deb are going bowling” -
Verb = are going - plural
Compound subject = Rob and Deb
Subject-Verb Agreement - Tricky
If the parts of the compound subject are joined by the conjunction “or” the verb should match the subject that is closest to the verb.
“Either Tom or his parents gave left an umbrella in the closet.”
Verb = have left - plural as “his parents” is closest to the verb
If the compound subject was reversed then the verb would become “has”
“Either tom’s parents or Tom has left an umbrella in the closet.”
Subject-Verb Agreement - Tricky!
Yes or No
Do words like “as well as” and “in addition to” create a compound subject
No
True or false:
When words separate the subject and the verb, you should eliminate prepositional phrases before trying to identify the subject.
True
True or False:
A prepositional phrase never contains the subject of the verb
True
The distance between the earth and the more distant stars of our galaxy is difficult to measure.
Prepositional phrases =
Verb - is - singular - correct, yes/no?
Subject if the verb = ?
Prep phrases - between to Stars & of our galaxy
Subject of the verb = the distance - singular
Is - is correct
Subject-Verb Agreement - Tricky!
When the subject follows the verb, finding the subject may be tricky.
Tip!
In a question or in a sentence beginning with “there” or “here,” the subject usually follows the verb.
“Are the computers ready for installation?”
V = Are
Subject of the verb = computers - plural
“There is a good reason for my lateness”
V = is
Subject of the verb = reason - singular
There is a good reason for my lateness this morning.
Name the
Verb
Subject of the verb
Verb = is - singular SOV = reason - singular
The governor, having meet with her advisors and developed a negotiating strategy for dealing with the angry workers, (was,were) finally ready to join the bargaining session.
Subject of the verb = governor
Verb = Was - singular is correct
Here in the deepest recesses of the ocean (is,are) some of the most mysterious creatures on earth.
Subject of the verb = some (SANAM)
Verb = are (creatures is plural) with SANAM SOV you look at the prepositional phrase that follows the it
Either the members of the defensive squad or Coach Rob himself (is,are) sure to have some explanation for the way the game ended.
Subject of the verb = Coach Rob (singular) (closest noun to the verb in the compound subject
Verb = is - singular
The story of the four hundred members of the 29th Cavalry and their heroic exploits in several battlefields (is,are) truly remarkable.
Subject of the verb = story - singular
Verb = is - singular
Remember to eliminate the prepositional phrases
Of/on as the SOV will not be found within them
The elementary school cafeteria offers twelve kinds of sandwiches, yet peanut butter and jelly (remains, remain) the most popular of all
Subject of the verb = peanut and jelly - singular
(A compound subject that is really one thing)
Verb = remains - singular
