Subject-Verb Agreement

University Learning Center

PC 247 / AC I 160
Developed by Chris Losa
 Keep Your Eyes Open
 Although
often overlooked, problems with Subject-Verb
Agreement are REAL!

 To
help avoid these errors, we will discuss:
How to make Subjects and Verbs agree in number,

What to do with tricky subjects like Each and Every,

What to do with compound subjects

 Learnto spot and correct these errors and become a

believer.
 Recognizing Subjects and
Verbs
Acomplete sentence must have a SUBJECT and a
VERB.

 The subject is the who or what that performs the

action.

 The verb is the action word.

 Spot the Subject and Verb
 The players on our side are strong.
 The players on our side are strong.

 Players is the subject and are is the verb.

 Once you’ve identified the Subject and the Verb, you

have to make sure they agree in Number.
 Singular subjects require singular verbs and plural
subjects require plural verbs.
 What Next?
 An easy way to make your subjects and
verbs agree is to think about the S.
 Usually, plural nouns end with the letter S
and singular nouns do not.
 Verbs are the opposite:
 For the most part, singular verbs end with
the letter S and plural verbs do not.
 Therefore . . .
 The carS run, but the car runS.

 Theplural noun cars takes the plural verb run.

There is only one S in the pair.

 Thesingular noun car takes the singular verb

runs. Again, There is only one S in the pair.
 BEWARE
 Compound subjects do not end with S.
 Instead, compound subjects consist of two
or more subjects joined by and.
 We treat these subjects like any other plural
subject.

 The student and the instructor work long

hours.
 BEWARE
 The student and the instructor work long hours.

 Thesubject consists of two people. Therefore, it is

plural.
 BEWARE
 BE CAREFUL!

 When subjects are joined by and and

combine to form a single thing or person,
they are treated like a singular subject.

 Usea singular verb with such compound

subjects.
 Example:
 Spaghetti
and meatballs has a place on
many menus.

 Spaghetti and meatballs is acting as a unit,

as a singular subject.
 Using Each and Every
 Each and Every are singular pronouns.

 Therefore, they require singular verbs.

 Every flying saucer was glowing.

 Using Each and Every
BEWARE!
 You always use a singular verb with each
and every, even if they precede subjects
joined by and.
 Each alien hand and foot leaves a distinct
print.
 Compound Subjects Joined
By Words Like Or
 Be careful when your subjects are joined by
the following words:

 or
 nor
 either. . . or
 neither . . . nor
 not only . . . but (also)
 Compound Subjects Joined
By Words Like Or
 Insuch cases, the verb agrees with the
subject nearest it.

 Example:
Either the instructors or the student knows
the answer.

 Try to ignore everything before the final

subject
 Compound Subjects Joined
By Words Like Or
 Either the instructors or the student knows
the answer.

 The singular subject student requires the

singular verb knows.
 What if the Subject is an
Indefinite Pronoun?

 Indefinite Pronouns refer to nonspecific

people or things. They are usually singular
and require singular verbs.
 What if the Subject is an
Indefinite Pronoun?
 Thefollowing common Indefinite Pronouns
usually take singular verbs:

 Another each everything nothing

anybody either neither somebody
anyone every nobody someone
anything everyone no one something
 What if the Subject is an
Indefinite Pronoun?
 BEWARE! A few indefinite pronouns—
none, some, more, most, any, and all—can
be either singular or plural, depending on
the context.

 Example:
 Some of our streams are polluted; some
pollution is reversible, but all pollution is a
threat to nature
Making Verbs Agree With the
Antecedents of Who, Which,
and That

 When Who, Which, or That starts a clause,

the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun to
which Who, Which, or That refers (its
Antecedent).
 Making Verbs Agree With the
Antecedents of Who, Which,
and That
 Thescientist will share information with the
students who work with her.

 George Jones is the student who works in

the lab.
 Using Singular Verbs with
Titles and Terms
 Titlesand terms are treated as singular
subjects–even if they contain plural words.

 Examples:
 Les Miserables is a popular musical.
 “Disciplinary measures” is a euphemism
for punishment.
 You’ve Been Warned
 See if you can spot Subject-Verb Agreement errors.

 Subjects and Verbs must agree in number.

 Be careful with subjects like Each and Every—these are

singular.

 Pay close attention to subjects joined with words like and

and or—these subjects can be either singular or plural.
 Information Cited and
Paraphrased from

Troyka, Lynn Q. Quick Access: Reference

For Writers. 3rd Ed. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall, 2001.
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Us!
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learning center (PC 247 /
AC I 160) or call to make an
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