English Grammar 1: Subject-Verb Agreement PDF

BIL1033 English Grammar 1 Topic 5: Subject-Verb-Agreement  Table of contents Subject-Verb- Agreement 01 02 03 Types Examples Exercise  01 Subject- Verb- Agreement  Types of verb forms BASIC RULE RULE 5A RULE 1 RULE 5B RULE...

BIL1033 English Grammar 1 Topic 5: Subject-Verb-Agreement  Table of contents Subject-Verb- Agreement 01 02 03 Types Examples Exercise  01 Subject- Verb- Agreement  Types of verb forms BASIC RULE RULE 5A RULE 1 RULE 5B RULE 2 RULE 6 RULE 3 RULE 7 RULE 4 RULE 8A Types of verb forms RULE 8B RULE 9  Basic Rule Rule A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.  Basic Rule Example The list of items is/are on the desk. List is the subject The list of items is on the desk.  Basic Rule Exceptions to the Basic rule: The first person pronoun I takes a plural verb (I go, I drive). The basic form of the verb is used after certain main verbs such as watch, see, hear, feel, help, let, and make. (He watched Ronaldo score the winning goal).  Rule 1 Rule A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for understanding subjects. The word of is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.  Rule 1 Example A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room. A bouquet of yellow roses lends color and fragrance to the room.  Rule 2 Rule Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.  Rule 2 Examples My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today. Neither Juan nor Carmen is available. Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.  Rule 3 Rule The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.  Rule 3 Examples Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.  Rule 4 Rule As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.  Rule 4 Example A car and a bike are my means of transportation.  Rule 4 Exceptions: Breaking and entering is against the law. The bed and breakfast was charming. In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns..  Rule 5A Rule Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.  Rule 5A Examples The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly. Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.  Rule 5B Rule Parentheses are not part of the subject.  Rule 5B Example Joe (and his trusty mutt) was always welcome.  Rule 6 Rule In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.  Rule 6 Examples There are four hurdles to jump. There is a high hurdle to jump. Here are the keys.  Rule 7 Rule Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.  Rule 7 Examples Three miles is too far to walk. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense. Ten dollars is a high price to pay. But. Ten dollars were scattered on the floor.  Rule 8A Rule With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all—Rule 1 given earlier is reversed, and we are guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.  Rule 8A Examples A third of the city is unemployed. A third of the people are unemployed. All of the pie is gone. All of the pies are gone. Some of the pie is missing. Some of the pies are missing.  Rule 8A Examples A lot of the pie has disappeared. A lot of the pies have disappeared. Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared. Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.  Rule 8B Rule With collective nouns such as group, jury, family, audience, population, the verb might be singular or plural, depending on the writer's intent.  Rule 8B Examples All of my family has arrived OR have arrived. Most of the jury is here OR are here. A third of the population was not in favor OR were not in favor of the bill.  Note Consistency All of my family has arrived OR have arrived. Most of the jury is here OR are here. A third of the population was not in favor OR were not in favor of the bill.  Rule 9 Rule The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact:  Rule 9 Example If Joe were here, you'd be sorry.  Rule 9 The sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood, which is used to express a hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory thought.  Rule 9 Examples I wish it were Friday. She requested that he raise his hand. The foreman demanded that Joe wear safety goggles.  Activity (Exercise ) Worksheet