Grammar - subject/verb Flashcards
A single subject requires a singular verb
A plural subject requires a plural verb
The girl is playing basketball.
The girls are playing basketball.
Cookies, especially thin mints, are my favorite snack.
Ice Cream, especially mint chip, is my favorite snack.
anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody, each
These pronouns are always singular - use singular verbs.
Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along with give a little more information (modify) the subject
The verb tense agrees with the subject every time.
My mom, together with my brothers, always wins the game.
Teachers as well as students agree that grammar is fun.
pronouns neither and either
They require singular verbs.
Neither of the students is finished with their homework.
Either decision is good.
No matter where the subject is found in a sentence…
when nor or or is used
the subject closest to the verb determines the number of the verb.
Teachers or the student is responsible for posting the date on the board.
Neither my friend nor her parents are going on a holiday this year.
The words there and here are never subjects
In “expletive constructions,” the subject is found after the verb. Once you find the subject, make the verb agree.
There are twenty students in the class.
Here is an example.
Verbs in the present tense for third-person, singular subjects (he, she, it and anything those words can stand for
end in -s
He provides supplies for the class.
She loves to bake.
It emits a strange sound.
Sometimes modifiers (a little more information about the subject) will get between a subject and its verb
the subject and its verb still must agree.
The varsity coach, who typically sits on the sidelines, is watching the game.
Doctors, particularly those who work with children, are busy.
Words such as glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural (and require plural verbs) unless
they’re preceded the phrase pair of (in which case the word pair becomes the subject).
Glasses are useful for reading.
This pair of pants is in need of mending.
Words that naturally end in -s are singular and receive singular verbs
plural words ending in -s require plural verbs.
Access is denied without a pass.
The bass is a beautiful instrument.
(vs.)
Students are very capable.
Fractional expressions such as half of, a part of
singular or plural, depending on the meaning.
Sums and products of mathematical processes are expressed as singular and require singular verbs.
Usually it helps to consult the noun closest the verb.
A part of the seminar is intended to address questions.
Some of the participants are eager to hear more.
Three multiplied by five is fifteen.
f your sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject and one is plural, the other singular
the verb should agree with the positive subject.
It is my brother, not my parents, who is ready for dinner.
The teachers, but not their student, enjoy fire drills.
It is not my essays, but my grammar that earns my higher grade.
Two nouns that are connected with “and”
become a plural subject
My sister and I are going to Europe this summer.
Both she and I enjoy traveling
Group nouns are
singular
The committee is deliberating as we speak.
Congress tries to create balance in the government.
Class is next Wednesday at noon.
