Subject Verb Agreement
Subject / Verb Agreement
WHAT IS AGREEMENT?
As you know, when words agree they are of the same number. This concept means that take singular . subjects take plural verbs. Singular means one; plural means more than one.
CHOOSE BETWEEN SINGULAR AND PLURAL VERBS
To decide whether to use a singular or a plural verb, first determine whether your subject is singular or plural. Most plural nouns end in –s or –es. Singular: Plural: horse, dress horses, dresses
With singular nouns, use verbs that end in –s or –es. Otherwise, use the simple form of the verb. Singular: Plural: CAUTION: The horse runs through the field. Horses run through the field. Use verbs that end in –s or –es with pronouns in the third person singular. These are he, she, it, and one. Otherwise, use the basic form of the verb.
WORK WITH COMPOUND SUBJECTS
Subject Joined By AND Use plural verbs with compound subjects, which are joined by and. Brazil and Argentina border [not borders] Uruguay. Where were [not was] she and you on the night of the murder? Subject Joined by OR Use singular verbs with subjects joined by or if both subjects are singular. Bill or Sam has [not have] been elected to feed the pig. Use plural verbs with subjects joined by or if both subjects are plural. I can’t remember whether the Marx Brothers or the Three Stooges are [not is] her favorite comedians. If one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the one that is closer to it. Millie’s brother or her sisters are scheduled to visit next October.
BUT Millie’s sisters or her brother is scheduled to visit next October.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS FOLLOWED BY SINGULAR COMPLEMENTS
A complement is a noun or adjective that describes the subject but comes after the verb. When a compound subject is followed by a complement, the verb is plural even if the complement is singular. Overeating and forcing yourself to vomit are [not is] a symptom of bulimia.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS THAT NAME THE SAME PERSON, PLACE, OR THING
When
WHAT IS AGREEMENT?
As you know, when words agree they are of the same number. This concept means that take singular . subjects take plural verbs. Singular means one; plural means more than one.
CHOOSE BETWEEN SINGULAR AND PLURAL VERBS
To decide whether to use a singular or a plural verb, first determine whether your subject is singular or plural. Most plural nouns end in –s or –es. Singular: Plural: horse, dress horses, dresses
With singular nouns, use verbs that end in –s or –es. Otherwise, use the simple form of the verb. Singular: Plural: CAUTION: The horse runs through the field. Horses run through the field. Use verbs that end in –s or –es with pronouns in the third person singular. These are he, she, it, and one. Otherwise, use the basic form of the verb.
WORK WITH COMPOUND SUBJECTS
Subject Joined By AND Use plural verbs with compound subjects, which are joined by and. Brazil and Argentina border [not borders] Uruguay. Where were [not was] she and you on the night of the murder? Subject Joined by OR Use singular verbs with subjects joined by or if both subjects are singular. Bill or Sam has [not have] been elected to feed the pig. Use plural verbs with subjects joined by or if both subjects are plural. I can’t remember whether the Marx Brothers or the Three Stooges are [not is] her favorite comedians. If one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the one that is closer to it. Millie’s brother or her sisters are scheduled to visit next October.
BUT Millie’s sisters or her brother is scheduled to visit next October.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS FOLLOWED BY SINGULAR COMPLEMENTS
A complement is a noun or adjective that describes the subject but comes after the verb. When a compound subject is followed by a complement, the verb is plural even if the complement is singular. Overeating and forcing yourself to vomit are [not is] a symptom of bulimia.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS THAT NAME THE SAME PERSON, PLACE, OR THING
When