Subject Verb Agreement

Subject Verb Agreement

ELA 6th Grade

The subject and verb in a sentence must agree, or work together.

• A singular subject needs a singular verb

• A plural subject needs a plural verb.

Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

• If the subject is a singular noun or he, she, or it, add -s or -es to most verbs. (NOTICE, this is the opposite of making nouns singular.)

• If the subject is compound, a plural noun, or I, you, we, or they, DO NOT add -s or -es to the verb.

• For the verb be, use am and is to agree with singular subjects and are to agree with plural subjects.

COLLECTIVE NOUN

• A collective noun names a group, such as family, team, and class

• A collective noun is SINGULAR if it refers to a group acting as one. Ex: The class is waiting for takeoff.

• A collective noun is PLURAL if it refers to members of the group acting individually. Ex: The class are choosing their seats.

Practice Time!

Choose the correct answer for the following slides.

Multiple Choice

Do the subject and verb agree in the following sentence?

A shaft of light blinds me.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Do the subject and verb agree in the following sentence?

Supplies costs the settlers more on the moon.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Do the subject and verb agree in the following sentence?

The group understands the importance of water.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Do the subject and verb agree in the following sentence?

The ferry move slowly from its loading dock.

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Do the subject and verb agree in the following sentence?

The kids on the moon was having a party.

• yes

• no