Subject-Verb Agreement

A singular subject needs what type of verb?

• Plural verb

• Singular verb

• Doesn't matter

True or False: A plural subject needs a plural verb.

• True

• False

• Doesn't matter

When a subject does NOT end in "s" the verb usually does

Example: Michelle grades papers every night.

• True

• False

When a subject ends in the letter "s" the verb usually does not.

Example: Students study nightly.

• True

• False

Which is correct?

• Where are the children's coats?

• Where is the children's coats?

Which is correct?

• There were four cats eating out of our garbage can last night.

• There was four cats eating out of our garbage can last night.

Which is correct?

*Hint: When subjects are joined by words like neither, nor, either, etc., the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb.

• Neither the director nor the writers of this film has ever received an Academy Award.

• Neither the director nor the writers of this film have ever received an Academy Award.

Which is correct?

*Hint: Each is an indefinite pronoun; indefinite pronouns always take singular verb.

• Each of their children were given a name picked at random from a page of the Bible.

• Each of their children was given a name picked at random from a page of the Bible.

Which is correct?

• In exchange for reduced rent, Karla and James cleans the dentist's office beneath their second-floor apartment.

• In exchange for reduced rent, Karla and James clean the dentist's office beneath their second-floor apartment.

Which is correct?

• Currently, the game MONOPOLY are published in twenty-seven languages and is license in more than eighty-one countries.

• Currently, the game MONOPOLY is published in twenty-seven languages and is license in more than eighty-one countries.