Subject-Verb Agreement

Front

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Back

Subject-Verb Agreement is the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its verb.

Front

When do we use a singular verb?

Back

We use a singular verb when the subject is singular, meaning it refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.

Front

When do we use a plural verb?

Back

We use a plural verb when the subject is plural, meaning it refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

Front

What is the rule for 'either/or' constructions?

Back

In 'either/or' constructions, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.

Front

What is the rule for 'neither/nor' constructions?

Back

In 'neither/nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.

Front

What is the subject in the sentence: 'The dog barks'?

Back

The subject is 'The dog', which is singular.

Front

What is the subject in the sentence: 'The dogs bark'?

Back

The subject is 'The dogs', which is plural.

Front

How do you determine the correct verb in 'Either Cassie or Marie (pays, pay) the employees'?

Back

The correct verb is 'pays' because 'Marie' is the closest subject and is singular.

Front

How do you determine the correct verb in 'Neither of the men (is, are) here'?

Back

The correct verb is 'is' because 'Neither' is treated as singular.

Front

What is an example of a compound subject?

Back

An example of a compound subject is 'Annie and her brothers', which is plural.