SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Module 1 Objectives:
After you complete Module 1, you will
A. identify the subject and the verb in a given sentence
B. decide if the subject is singular or plural
C. add -s or -es at the end of the verb
D. understand the subject-verb agreement in the simple present better
First, read the explanation on subject-verb agreement
Second, complete the exercise questions 1-13
Third, visit the three websites to do more exercises
First,
The subject and verb must agree in number: both must be singular, or both must be plural. Problems occur in the present tense because one must add an -s or -es at the end of the verb when the subjects or the entity performing the action is a singular third person: he, she, it, or words for which these pronouns could substitute.
Notice the difference between singular and plural forms in the following examples:
The student sings. (He or she sings) | Your children sing. (They sing) |
The bird does migrate. (It does) | Those birds do migrate. (They do) |
In order to find out if your subject and verb agree, you need to be able to identify the subject of your sentence. Here are some helpful hints that will help you to decipher where your subject is and where it is not.
The Supreme Court judge decides the appropriate penalty. | |
The committee members were satisfied with the resolution. | |
Over the ripples glides a small canoe. | |
There was a well-known writer at the meeting. | |
The group of students is going on a field trip. | ||
The survey covering seven colleges reveals a growth in enrollment. | ||
The speaker whom you saw at the lecture is one of the state senators from Minnesota. | ||
The quarterback and the coach are having a conference. | |
Either the actors or the director is at fault. | |
Either the director or the actors are at fault. | |
The sales manager is a good researcher who spends a great amount of time surfing the Web for information. | |
Sales managers are good researchers who spend a great amount of time surfing the Web for information. | |
Anyone who wants to pursue higher education has to pass entrance exams. | |
Everyone on the committee is welcome to express his/her ideas. | |
The jury is sequestered. | |
Subject: jury | Verb: is |
The jury are having an argument. | |
The news of the discovery is spreading. | |
The mass media have publicized the facts. | |
The data amaze everyone. | |
Second,
Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence.
1. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator ____ going to have to make a decision. is are |
2. ______ my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?
Is
Are
3. Some of the votes __________ to have been miscounted.
seem
seems
4. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
are
is
5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time.
have
has
6. Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________ a formidable opponent on the basketball court. presents present |
7. He seems to forget that there __________ things to be done before he can graduate.
are
is
8. There _______ to be some people left in that town after yesterday's flood. have has |
9. Some of the grain __________ to be contaminated.
appear
appears
10. Three-quarters of the students __________ against the tuition hike.
is
are
11. Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike.
is
are
12. A high percentage of the population _________ voting for the new school.
is
are
13. A high percentage of the people _________ voting for the new school.
was
were
Third,
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/quizzes/svagr2.htm
http://www.cityu.edu.hk/elc/quiz/subverb1.htm
http://wwwnew.towson.edu/ows/exercisesub-verb.htm