Subject Verb Agreement

Subject Verb Agreement

Noun Phrases

Writers often use phrases to modify or describe nouns. These phrases often come after the noun. The group of a noun plus its modifying phrase is called a noun phrase, When a noun phrase serves as the subject of a sentence, the verb should agree with the main noun not the modifying phrase.

Noun Phrases

• The bag of chips is on the table.

• bag is the main noun/subject. 

• of chips is the modifier

• The verb must agree with bag not chips!

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific person, place, or thing. Some as always singular such as anyone, anybody, anything, each, and neither. Some are always plural such as both, few, many, and several. Yet some can be singlular or plural depending on how it's used such as all, most, some, and none.

Indefinite pronouns

• As Thomas Barnardo saw it, everyone was entitled to a safe home and an education.

• Many were living in poverty in London during Victorian times.

• Some of the worst poverty was revealed to Barnardo at the ragged schools.

• Some of the poorest children were homeless orphans.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns include words like group, family, committee, audience, and team. If the collective noun acts as a singular unit use a singular verb. If members of the collective group act individually, use a plural verb.

Collective Nouns

• A foster family provides a home for children in need.

• Thomas Barnardo's own family were unable to see as much of him as they would have liked, because he was so dedicated to his work.

Special nouns

Certain special nouns end in -ics, so they appear to be plural, but they are treated as singular nouns. They used to be considered plural but over time people came to consider them singular collective nouns. (For example: mathematics, physics, politics, and gymnastics)

Special nouns

• Gymnastics is a hard sport.

• Mathematics is my favorite subject.

Open Ended

How do you feel about subject verb agreement? What do you still need help on?