Chapter 4 - Subject-Verb Agreement

Question 1

What is subject verb agreement?

Answer 1

There is a subject-verb agreement in a sentence when a verb agrees with its subject in number and in person.

The girl plays vs. The girls play

Question 2

Tip!!!

Answer 2

Remember that a singular verb (in present tense) that goes with a singular noun or pronoun (except I or you) needs a final s.

Question 3

There are 7 general rules for remembering subject verb agreement. What are they?

Answer 3

1. The subject is not always the noun closest to the verb.
2. many indefinite pronouns take a singular verb. Fewer take plural verbs (both, few, many, several)
3. When a pair of conjunctions are used, the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb.
   (Neither…or, either…or, not only…but also)
4. In some sentences, the subject can come after the verb, in these cases, be sure that the verb agrees with the subject.
5. A group noun usually takes a singular verb. If the group is acting as a unit.
6. A group takes a plural verb if the members of the group are acting as individuals.
7. The verbs “do” and “be” are often troublesome. Standard English uses “s” for the third person singular in the present tense (he, she, or it DOES) and for the verb to be in the past tense (he, she, or it WAS).

Question 4

Select the correct verb.

1. Neither the police office nor the firefighters (seem, seems) afraid in spite of the destruction.
2. Who (is, are) her real friends, as opposed to those who just take advantage of her?
3. The group (has, have) voted 5-4 in favour of joining forces with their opponents.
4. Cameron and she (was, were) here for three hours before they talked to each other.

Answer 4

1. Seem
2. Are
3. Have
4. Were

Question 5

What is the difference between clauses and phrases?

Answer 5

Clauses and phrases are similar, yet different. A clause is a group of related words that has a subject and a predicate. A phrase is also a group of related words, but is missing a subject or a predicate or both.

Question 6

What is a predicate?

Answer 6

Part of the sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject.

John went home.
“went home” is the predicate

Question 7

Every one of the shirts has/have a green collar.

Answer 7

Has

The pronoun “one” is singular and requires singular verbs.