Grammar

Subject/Verb Agreement

What do I mean by subject/verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is "the matching of the number and person of the subject to the form of the verb.”

Singular Subject = verb with “s”Plural Subject = verb with no “s”

Example:

The dog’s owner likes to shame him by putting his picture on Reddit.

Owner = singularVerb has an “s”

Example Part 2

Dog owners often shame their pets by putting their pictures on Reddit.

Owners = pluralVerb= no “s”

Now here’s where it gets tricky…

Sometimes there are prepositional phrases, so the subject is hard to identify.

The use of cell phones and laptops is prohibited.The use of cell phones and laptops are prohibited.

Let’s look at those sentences:

The use of cell phones and laptops is prohibited.

You might think that the verb should be “are” because that is plural, and “Phones” and “Laptops” are both plural words; however, they are not the subject of this sentence.

A way to prevent this is to eliminate prepositional phrases in order to determine your subject.

The Squirrel and the Tree

underbeside

in

above

of

Here is a List of more prepositions• aboard• about• above• across• after• against• along• amid• among• anti• around• as• at

• before• behind• below• beneath• beside• besides• between• beyond• but• by• concernin

g• considerin

g

• despite• down• during• except• excepting• excluding• following• for• from• in• inside• into• like• minus

• near• of• off• on• onto• opposite• outside• over• past• per• plus• regardin

g• round• save• since

• than• through• to• toward• towards• under• underneath• unlike• until• up• upon• versus• via• with• within• without

So let’s eliminate some prepositional phrases

Prepositional phrase = preposition + object(s)…this is always a noun.

The use of cell phones and laptops is prohibited.So, use is our subject.Use = singularVerb = singular

So, let’s practice together!1. A carton of grapefruits from Florida (was,

were) delivered.2. Flights from this airport (leaves, leave)

infrequently.3. The bouquet of flowers (has, have) a nice

aroma.4. The speakers in my stereo sound system (is,

are) poorly balanced.5. The vegetables in the stew (is, are)

unusually tasty.

Compound Subjects and Verb Agreement

Here are the quick and dirty rules:Rule 1:If a subject is joined by “and,” it is always plural

Kim and Sally ARE coming for dinner.Dad and I ARE planning the menu.

There are a few exceptions, so beware!

Exceptions to the “and” rule

• If the subject is considered one object despite the use of “and,” you will use a singular verb.

• Chicken and dumplings SOUNDS good.

• If the subject is modified by “every” or “each,” it will have a singular verb.

• Every guest and family member IS sure to enjoy it.

Rule 2:If a subject is joined by “or” or “nor,” make the

closest subject to the verb agree.

Jason, Jen, or Pat DOES the dishes every night.Either the owners or the realtor HAS the key.Either the realtor or the owners HAVE the key.Neither the Bombers nor the Raiders ARE likely

to finish first.

So, let’s practice together!1. Lemonade, iced tea, or fruit juice (is, are) a

refreshing drink.2. Neither the coach nor the players (holds,

hold) much hope of winning.3. The couch and draperies (match, matches).4. Spaghetti and meatballs (is, are) today’s

special.5. Every nook and cranny (was, were)

thoroughly searched.