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.

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CCSS.L.3.1F

Front

When do you use a singular verb?

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A singular verb is used when the subject is singular (one person or thing). For example, 'The cat runs.'

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CCSS.L.3.1F

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When do you use a plural verb?

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A plural verb is used when the subject is plural (more than one person or thing). For example, 'The cats run.'

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CCSS.L.3.1F

Front

What is the rule for compound subjects joined by 'and'?

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When two subjects are joined by 'and', they typically take a plural verb. For example, 'Derek and Renee bring their bags.'

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CCSS.L.1.1C

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.1F

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

Front

What is the rule for subjects joined by 'or' or 'nor'?

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When subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, 'Either the cat or the dogs run.'

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CCSS.L.3.1F

Front

What is a collective noun?

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A collective noun refers to a group of individuals or things as a single unit. For example, 'The team wins.' (singular verb) or 'The teams win.' (plural verb).

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CCSS.L.2.1A

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How does the presence of phrases affect subject-verb agreement?

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Phrases that come between the subject and verb do not affect the agreement. For example, 'The bouquet of flowers smells sweet.' (singular subject and verb).

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CCSS.L.3.1F

Front

What is an example of a subject that is always singular?

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The word 'everyone' is always singular, so it takes a singular verb. For example, 'Everyone loves pizza.'

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CCSS.L.3.1F

Front

What is an example of a subject that is always plural?

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The word 'scissors' is always plural, so it takes a plural verb. For example, 'The scissors are on the table.'

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CCSS.L.2.1B

CCSS.L.3.1B

Front

What is the rule for indefinite pronouns?

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Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone', 'somebody', and 'each' are usually singular and take singular verbs. For example, 'Each of the students has a book.'

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CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A