Subject-Verb Agreement

Front

What is subject-verb agreement?

Back

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must match the verb in number (singular or plural).

Front

When do we use a singular verb?

Back

We use a singular verb when the subject is singular (one person or thing). For example, 'The cat runs fast.'

Front

When do we use a plural verb?

Back

We use a plural verb when the subject is plural (more than one person or thing). For example, 'The cats run fast.'

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'Mr. Richie or his children _____ brownies'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'are making' because 'children' is plural.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'Macaroni and cheese _____ a favourite dish'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'is' because 'macaroni and cheese' is treated as a singular dish.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'She ___ one of the brightest students'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'is' because 'she' is singular.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'Both taxis and buses _____ at this corner'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'stop' because 'both taxis and buses' is plural.

Front

What is the correct verb form for 'That red-haired lady in the fur hat ___________across the street'?

Back

The correct verb form is 'lives' because 'lady' is singular.

Front

What is a compound subject?

Back

A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by 'and' or 'or'. For example, 'Tom and Jerry are friends.'

Front

How does 'or' affect subject-verb agreement?

Back

When using 'or', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, 'Either the teacher or the students are going.'