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SubjectVerbAgreement-1 (1).ppt
- 1. The Rules ofSubject Verb Agreement Presented by: Romuel M. Alcantaradas Danilyn R. Cervañez
- 2. 1. Subjects andverbs must agree in number. •Singular subject = singular verb •Plural subject = plural verb •Cow= singular, eats= singular •Ducks= plural, quack= plural •*Hint*= SVS- singular verbs have an S •Singular yes?- the verb has an “S”! •Singular no? The “S” has to go!
- 3. The subject agreeswith the verb in person and number. The third person singular verb ends in –s. I like the story Evelyn likes it too.
- 4. 2. Don’t getconfused by the words that come between the subject and verb. The detective who was called to the case is usually very good. The subject agrees with the verb regardless of the intervening words. Whenever there is a phrase or clause modifying the subject, look past these words to the real subject and make it agree with it.
- 5. Rama was exiledby Dasa-ratha. Rama, with Sita and Lakshma, was exiled by Dasa-ratha. Rama, who was the husband of Sita, was exiled by Dasa- ratha.
- 6. 3. Prepositional phrasesbetween the subject and verb usually do not affect the agreement. The biker in this race is very competitive. The bikers in this race are very competitive.
- 7. 4. If asentence starts with “there” or “ here”, the subject will always be placed after the verb. There is a meeting today. Here are the results from this past month.
- 8. 5. Subjects cancome after the verb in questions. •Does Betty always play with dolls? •How are the Bosco sticks today?
- 9. 6. If twosubjects are joined by “and”, they typically require a plural verb. •The puppy and the lady are friends.
- 10. 7. If twosubjects are separated by “and” refer to the same thing, the verb is singular. •Spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite pasta dish.
- 11. 8. If bothsubjects are singular and connected by or, nor, neither/nor, either/or and not only/but also, the verb is singular. •Sally or Bubba has stolen the scarecrow. •Not only the guitar player but also the drummer was soaked with sweat.
- 12. 9. If bothsubjects are plural and connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, the verb is plural. •Cookies or brownies are nice treats for your teacher.
- 13. 10. If onesubject is singular and one plural and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, use the subject that is nearest the verb. •Either my sisters or my mom has sent me a present. •Not only Bob but also the Smiths want some hamburgers for supper.
- 14. •Either John orhis friends are coming to the party. •Neither the students nor the teacher was happy with the exam results. Example:
- 15. 11. Units ofmeasurement usually use a singular verb. •Six gallons of paint was used on the house. •Five dollars is too much for a cup of coffee.
- 16. Two milesis a long way to walk. Three hours is a long time to wait. Ten kilograms of flour is needed for the recipe. Example:
- 17. Two milesare better than one. Five pounds of apples were needed for the recipe. Example:
- 18. 12. Collective nounsusually take a singular verb. •The herd is stampeding. The class was ready for the test.
- 19. The teamis playing well this season. The herd of cattle is grazing in the field. Our family is going on vacation next week. Example:
- 20. 13. Titles ofbooks, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular. •Holes was one of my favorite books. I want to see the movie.
- 21. "To Killa Mockingbird" is a classic American novel. "The Godfather" was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. "Star Wars" is a beloved science fiction franchise. Example:
- 22. 14. Two infinitivesseparated by and take a plural verb. •To run and to read are my two favorite “Free- time” activities.
- 23. To swimand to run are my favorite exercises. The plan is to study hard and to work diligently to achieve our goals. Example:
- 24. To reador to watch a movie is how I like to relax. To sing neither to dance is my forte. Either to go for a walk or to take a nap is a good way to unwind. Example:
- 25. 15. Gerunds alonetake a singular verb. Gerunds linked by and take a plural verb. •Dancing is not something everyone can do as well as I can!
- 26. Singing ismy favorite hobby. Jogging is a great way to stay in shape. Example:
- 27. Jogging andswimming are both good forms of exercise. Reading and writing are essential skills for academic success. Example:
- 28. 16. If thewords each, every or no come before the subject, the verb is singular. •Each boy and girl has to take the test. •Every frog and toad turns into a prince. •No paper and pen is required. (But an apple would be nice!:) •Dancing and singing come naturally to me!
- 29. Each studentin the class has their own desk. Every car on the lot needs to be washed. No one in the room knows the answer. Example:
- 30. Each ofthe students in the class has their own desk. Every one of the cars on the lot needs to be washed. No cars on the lot need to be washed. Example:
- 31. 17. Most indefinitepronouns take singular verbs. Little One * Everybody is happy. Another Neither * No one has a dime. Much Either * Nothing was going to help. Each one body thing someone somebody something anyone anybody anything No one nobody nothing everyone everybody everything
- 32. Someone iscoming to the party. (not "are coming") Everything has been taken care of. (not "have been taken care of") Each of the students is responsible for their own work. (not "are responsible") Example:
- 33. Both ofmy parents are retired. Few people know the truth. Several students have submitted their assignments. Example:
- 34. 18. Both, few,many, others, and several take a plural verb. •Several need to finish the race. • A few have the right answer.
- 35. "Both" refers totwo people or things, and it always takes a plural verb. For example: Both of my sisters are coming to visit me. "Few" refers to a small number of people or things, and it also takes a plural verb. For example: Few of the students were able to answer the difficult question. "Many" refers to a large number of people or things, and it takes a plural verb. For example: Many people believe that the earth is round. Example:
- 36. "Others" refers topeople or things that are different from those already mentioned, and it takes a plural verb. For example: Some students prefer to work alone, while others prefer to work in groups. "Several" refers to a number that is more than two but not many, and it takes a plural verb. For example: Several of my friends are planning to attend the concert. Example:
- 37. 19. When thesubject is all, any, more, most, none, or some, this is the ONLY time you must look at the object of the prepositional phrase to determine whether it is singular or plural. •All of the chickens have laid eggs. •Some of the milk has spilled.
- 38. •All of thestudents are here. •All of the cake is gone. Example:
- 39. •Any of theboys could win the race. •Any of the flowers need watering. Example:
- 40. •More of thebook has been written. •More of the pages are missing Example:
- 41. •Most of thewater is gone. •Most of the books are overdue. Example:
- 42. •None of thecake was left. •None of the guests were late. Example:
- 43. 20. FINAL RULE-REMEMBER, ONLY THE SUBJECT AFFECTS THE VERB! • The cat is sleeping on the couch. (singular subject, singular verb) • The cats are sleeping on the couch. (plural subject, plural verb) • The book on the table is interesting. (singular subject, singular verb) • The books on the table are interesting. (plural subject, plural verb)
- 44.
- 45. The causes ofthis horrible disease (are / is) poor diet and lack of exercise.
- 46. The noise ofthe fan’s screams (is / are) a problem at some football stadiums.
- 47. The legacy ofLarry Bird and Magic Johnson (influences / influence) the NBA today.
- 48. The theory ofphysics (state / states) that all things are made of energy.
- 49. The malware onall the office computers (is / are) a danger to our security.
- 50. There ( is/ are) five broken chairs in the office.
- 51. Neither my momnor my sisters (know / knows) proper grammar.
- 52. The members ofthe committee ( is / are) very esteemed in their respective fields.
- 53. The committee (meet / meets) in the fancy office building.
- 54. Scissors ( is/ are) too dangerous to give to small children.
- 55. Thank you forlistening!