Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement

Importance of Agreements

• Agreements are crucial for clear communication.
• The most important agreement is between the subject and the verb.
• Lack of agreement can cause communication breakdowns.

Lesson Objectives

• Understand the subject of a sentence.
• Understand plural and singular subject and verb forms.
• Understand the predicate of a sentence.
• Distinguish which subject and verb form to use in a sentence.
• Understand how to use subjects and verbs based on point of view.

Definitions

• Indefinite pronouns: Pronouns that don't refer to a specific person, place, or thing.
• Plural: Refers to two or more of something in grammar.
• Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells what the subject is or isn't doing.
• Prepositional phrase: A group of words containing a preposition, a noun (or pronoun) object of the preposition, and any modifiers of the object.
• Pronoun: A word that takes the place of nouns.
• Singular: Refers to just one person or thing in grammar.
• Subject: The person, place, or thing that performs the action of the sentence.

Sentence Parts and How They Work Together

• Subject: The part of the sentence describing the person, place, or thing performing an action.
• Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells what the subject is doing or not doing.
• Example: Joe eats pizza.
  • Joe is the subject.
  • Eats pizza is the predicate.
• This is a simple sentence or an independent clause because it's a complete thought.
• The sentence works because the subject agrees with the verb.

Agreement in Grammar

• Ensuring sentences connect correctly.
• Analogy: Square peg in square hole.
• Incorrect example: Joe eat pizza (sounds like a caveman or an order).

Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
   • Singular subject needs a singular verb.
   • Plural subject needs a plural verb.
   • The subject always affects the verb.
   • Example: I eat pizza (singular subject, singular verb).
   • Example: We eat pizza (plural subject, plural verb).
2. Third Person Singular Verb Form
   • Usually ends in "s".
   • Example: He eats pizza.
   • Example: Joe eats pizza.
   • Example: Joe mows the lawn.
   • Example: Joe cooks food.
   • Contrast:
     • I eat pizza.
     • We eat pizza.
     • You cook food.
     • They mow the lawn.
3. Irregular Verbs follow same "add an s" rule for singular third person
   • Examples:
     • I have pizza.
     • We have pizza.
     • You have pizza.
     • He has pizza.
     • He does homework.
     • I do homework.
4. Prepositional Phrases
   • Words between the subject and verb don't affect the agreement.
   • Definition: A group of words containing a preposition, a noun or pronoun object of the preposition, and any modifiers of the object.
   • Example: The runner in this race is very competitive (singular).
   • Example: The runners in the race are very competitive (plural).
5. Questions
   • Subjects come after verbs.
   • Example: Does Joe always eat pizza?
     • "Does" (singular verb) comes before "Joe" (subject).
     • "Does" is the irregular form of "do" used in the third person singular.
6. Indefinite Pronouns
   • Always in the third person singular form.
7. Sentences Starting with Here or There
   • Subject is placed after the verb.
8. Subjects Joined by "And"
   • Need a plural verb.
   • Example: The pizza and the pasta are delicious.
   • Pizza and pasta are considered collective nouns.
9. Subjects Separated by "And" Referring to the Same Thing
   • Use a singular verb.
   • Example: The vice president of The United States and president of the Senate is Kamala Harris.
   • One person fulfilling both roles, hence singular verb.
10. Singular Subjects Connected by "Or," "Nor," etc.
    • If both subjects in the sentence are singular and connected by or, nor, neither nor, either or, and not only but also, the verb will be singular.
    • The verb will be singular.
    • Example: Joe or Kate has eaten all the pizza.
    • Example: Not only the pizza but also the pasta was delicious.
    • Logic: Removing one subject forms a sensible simple sentence.
      • Joe has eaten all the pizza.
      • The pasta was delicious.
11. Plural Subjects Connected by "Or," "Nor," etc.
    • The verb will be plural.
    • Example: Burgers or cookies are great for dinner.
12. Mixed Singular and Plural Subjects
    • Connected by "Or," "Nor," etc.
    • Use the subject nearest to the verb to determine verb form.
    • Example: Either my grandparents or my mom has sent me money.
      • "Mom" (singular) is closest to the verb, so "has" is used.
    • Example: Not only Aaron but also the neighbors want to come to the barbecue.
      • "Neighbors" (plural) is closest, so "want" is used.
      • If it were "Aaron" (singular), the verb would be "wants" (add -s for third person singular).
13. Units of Measurement
    • Take the singular verb form.
    • Example: Three gallons of frosting was used to finish the cake.
    • Example: 20 is too much for pizza.
14. Collective Nouns
    • Usually take a singular verb.
    • A grouping of something as one.
    • Example: The team has taken the field.
    • Example: The group is coming to the stage.
15. Titles of Books and Movies
    • Take on the singular verb form.
    • Example: The Three Little Pigs is a children's story.
    • Example: The Avengers is a blockbuster film.