Subject/Verb Subject/Verb Agreement Agreement

A singular subject needs a singular verb, A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural and a plural subject needs a plural verb. (Reminder: The verb is the verb. (Reminder: The verb is the action word in the sentence. The action word in the sentence. The subject is who or what does the action.)subject is who or what does the action.)

Subjects and verbs must work Subjects and verbs must work together. They must agree. A together. They must agree. A verb that ends in a single -s, -es, verb that ends in a single -s, -es, or -ies  is used with a singular or -ies  is used with a singular noun. noun.

ExamplesExamples

Singular SubjectSingular Subject Singular VerbSingular Verb

Old DanOld Dan bellowsbellows

Little AnnLittle Ann sharesshares

FireFire glowsglows

MamaMama fixesfixes

A verb that A verb that does notdoes not end in a end in a single s, es, or ies is used with a single s, es, or ies is used with a plural noun.plural noun.

ExamplesExamples

Plural SubjectPlural Subject Plural VerbPlural Verb

Old Dan and Little AnnOld Dan and Little Ann bellowbellow

The coon houndsThe coon hounds shareshare

The two firesThe two fires glowglow

Billy’s parentsBilly’s parents fixfix

The raccoon [singular subject] The raccoon [singular subject] jumps [singular verb] into the jumps [singular verb] into the sycamore tree. sycamore tree.

The raccoons [plural subject] jump The raccoons [plural subject] jump [plural verb] into the sycamore tree.[plural verb] into the sycamore tree.

Little Ann [singular subject] is Little Ann [singular subject] is [singular verb] kind. [singular verb] kind.

Little Ann and Old Dan [plural Little Ann and Old Dan [plural subject] are [plural verb] kind.subject] are [plural verb] kind.

No big deal? Usually No big deal? Usually not. Here are a few not. Here are a few rules just in case rules just in case you find yourself you find yourself confused.confused.

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by plural words that plural words that come after the verb.come after the verb.

WrongWrong

Billy’s biggest problem are the Billy’s biggest problem are the many sleepless nights.many sleepless nights.

RightRight

Billy’s biggest problem [singular Billy’s biggest problem [singular subject] is [singular verb] the subject] is [singular verb] the many sleepless nights.many sleepless nights.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) The The hound search for hound search for mountain lionsmountain lions. .

b)b) The The hound searches for hound searches for mountain lionsmountain lions..

CorrectCorrect

b)b) The The hound searches for hound searches for mountain lionsmountain lions..

hound searcheshound searches

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Old Dan see raccoons. Old Dan see raccoons.

b)b) Old Dan sees raccoons.Old Dan sees raccoons.

CorrectCorrect

b)b) Old Dan sees raccoons.Old Dan sees raccoons.

Old Dan sees Old Dan sees

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by plural words that come plural words that come between a singular between a singular subject and the verb.subject and the verb.

WrongWrong

The topic of these books are dogs.The topic of these books are dogs.

RightRight

TheThe topic topic [singular subject] of [singular subject] of these books these books isis [singular verb] [singular verb] dogs.dogs.

WrongWrong

Each of the dogs hunt well.Each of the dogs hunt well.

RightRight

Each Each [singular subject] of the dogs [singular subject] of the dogs

huntshunts [singular verb] well. [singular verb] well.

WrongWrongEvery one of the members of both Every one of the members of both

hunting teams are here.hunting teams are here.

RightRightEvery oneEvery one [singular subject] of the [singular subject] of the

members of both hunting teamsmembers of both hunting teams is is [singular verb] here.[singular verb] here.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Each of the traps needs to be Each of the traps needs to be set. set.

b)b) Each of the traps need to be Each of the traps need to be set.set.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) Each of the traps needs to be Each of the traps needs to be set. set.

Each needsEach needs

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) The boy in the brown shoes The boy in the brown shoes wants a lollipop. wants a lollipop.

b)b) The boy in the brown shoes The boy in the brown shoes want a lollipop.want a lollipop.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) The boy in the brown shoes The boy in the brown shoes wants a lollipop. wants a lollipop.

Boy wantsBoy wants

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by phrases such as along phrases such as along with, together with, with, together with, accompanied by, as well accompanied by, as well as, including and in as, including and in addition to.addition to.

WrongWrong

Little Ann, as well as Old Dan, like to Little Ann, as well as Old Dan, like to hunt.hunt.

RightRight

Little Ann [singular subject] , as well Little Ann [singular subject] , as well as Old Dan, likes [singular verb] to as Old Dan, likes [singular verb] to hunt.hunt.

WrongWrong

Billy, in addition to all the other Billy, in addition to all the other boys in the mountains, grow up boys in the mountains, grow up loving hound dogs.loving hound dogs.

RightRight

Billy [singular subject], in addition Billy [singular subject], in addition to all the other boys in the to all the other boys in the mountains, grows [singular verb] mountains, grows [singular verb] up loving hound dogs.up loving hound dogs.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Papa, as well as Mama, worries Papa, as well as Mama, worries about Billy being out all night about Billy being out all night long.long.

b)b) Papa, as well as Mama, worry Papa, as well as Mama, worry about Billy being out all night about Billy being out all night long.long.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) Papa, as well as Mama, worries Papa, as well as Mama, worries about Billy being out all night about Billy being out all night long.long.

Papa worriesPapa worries

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Cornbread, in addition to some Cornbread, in addition to some warm milk, are good for warm milk, are good for puppies.puppies.

b)b) Cornbread, in addition to some Cornbread, in addition to some warm milk, is good for puppies.warm milk, is good for puppies.

CorrectCorrect

b)b) Cornbread, in addition to some Cornbread, in addition to some warm milk, is good for puppies.warm milk, is good for puppies.

Cornbread isCornbread is

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by either/or and either/or and neither/nor.neither/nor.

Neither Billy nor Little Ann knows Neither Billy nor Little Ann knows which way the raccoon ran. which way the raccoon ran.

(Both parts are singular, so use a (Both parts are singular, so use a singular verb.)singular verb.)

Neither the boys nor the girls know Neither the boys nor the girls know which way the raccoon ran. which way the raccoon ran.

(Both parts are plural, so use a (Both parts are plural, so use a plural verb.)plural verb.)

Neither the dogs nor Billy knows Neither the dogs nor Billy knows which way the raccoon ran. which way the raccoon ran.

(One part is plural and one part is (One part is plural and one part is singular. The singular part comes singular. The singular part comes right before the verb, so use a right before the verb, so use a singular verb.)singular verb.)

Neither Billy nor the hounds know Neither Billy nor the hounds know which way the raccoon ran. which way the raccoon ran.

(One part is plural and one part is (One part is plural and one part is singular. The plural part comes singular. The plural part comes right before the verb, so use a right before the verb, so use a plural verb.)plural verb.)

WrongWrongEither Little Ann or Old Dan hunt Either Little Ann or Old Dan hunt during the heat of the summer.during the heat of the summer.

RightRight

Either Little Ann or Old Dan Either Little Ann or Old Dan hunts during the heat of the hunts during the heat of the summer.summer.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Neither the boys or their mother Neither the boys or their mother sings in the church choir.sings in the church choir.

b)b) Neither the boys or their mother Neither the boys or their mother sing in the church choir.sing in the church choir.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) Neither the boys or their mother Neither the boys or their mother sings in the church choir.sings in the church choir.

Mother singsMother sings

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Either Grandpa or Billy grind Either Grandpa or Billy grind corn at the general store.corn at the general store.

b)b) Either Grandpa or Billy grinds Either Grandpa or Billy grinds corn at the general store.corn at the general store.

CorrectCorrect

b) Either Grandpa or Billy grinds b) Either Grandpa or Billy grinds corn at the general store.corn at the general store.

Either (one) grindsEither (one) grinds

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by noun phrases referring noun phrases referring to a single unit.to a single unit.

Sometimes a noun phrase sounds Sometimes a noun phrase sounds plural but describes something plural but describes something we think of as a single unit. we think of as a single unit. These noun phrases take a These noun phrases take a singular verb.singular verb.

Spaghetti and meatballs is Spaghetti and meatballs is [singular] my favorite dinner.[singular] my favorite dinner.

Ice cream and cake is [singular] Ice cream and cake is [singular] my favorite dessert.my favorite dessert.

WrongWrong

Peanut butter and jelly are Billy’s Peanut butter and jelly are Billy’s favorite sandwich.favorite sandwich.

RightRight

Peanut butter and jelly is Billy’s Peanut butter and jelly is Billy’s favorite sandwich.favorite sandwich.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Macaroni and cheese is a Macaroni and cheese is a healthy food.healthy food.

b)b) Macaroni and cheese are a Macaroni and cheese are a healthy food.healthy food.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) Macaroni and cheese is a Macaroni and cheese is a healthy food.healthy food.

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by nouns that look plural nouns that look plural but are actually but are actually singular.singular.

The The newsnews [singular] of the coon [singular] of the coon hunt hunt spreads spreads through the town.through the town.

Mumps Mumps [singular] [singular] makesmakes one's one's cheeks hurt and causes swelling cheeks hurt and causes swelling and fever. and fever.

Mathematics Mathematics [singular] [singular] is is my best my best subject in school.subject in school.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Measles is contagious.Measles is contagious.

b)b) Measles are contagious.Measles are contagious.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) Measles is contagious.Measles is contagious.

Don’t be confused by Don’t be confused by nouns of amount.nouns of amount.

Use a singular verb with sums of Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time. money or periods of time.

WrongWrong

Five hundred dollars are a lot of Five hundred dollars are a lot of money.money.

RightRightFive hundred dollars is a lot of Five hundred dollars is a lot of money.money.

WrongWrong

Three hours are a long time to Three hours are a long time to wait.wait.

RightRightThree hours is a long time to Three hours is a long time to wait.wait.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Forty dollars Forty dollars buy two coon buy two coon hounds.hounds.

b)b) Forty dollars Forty dollars buys two coon buys two coon hounds.hounds.

CorrectCorrect

b)b) Forty dollars Forty dollars buys two coon buys two coon hounds.hounds.

Which is correct?Which is correct?

a)a) Two years totalsTwo years totals a long time a long time for Billy to save his money.for Billy to save his money.

b)b) Two years totalTwo years total a long time for a long time for Billy to save his money.Billy to save his money.

CorrectCorrect

a)a) Two years totalsTwo years totals a long time a long time for Billy to save his money.for Billy to save his money.

Practice – Number your Practice – Number your paper from 1 to 15. Write paper from 1 to 15. Write the correct answer for each the correct answer for each of the following items.of the following items.

1. Billy (fix, fixes) breakfast before 1. Billy (fix, fixes) breakfast before heading home. heading home.

2. The boy pup (play, plays) with 2. The boy pup (play, plays) with the girl pup. the girl pup.

3. Each of the names (sound, 3. Each of the names (sound, sounds) perfect to Billy's ears. sounds) perfect to Billy's ears.

4. With his extra money, Billy (buy, 4. With his extra money, Billy (buy, buys) gifts for his family. buys) gifts for his family.

5. Ma (cry, cries) with relief when 5. Ma (cry, cries) with relief when she sees that Billy is safe. she sees that Billy is safe.

6. Billy names the boy pup Old 6. Billy names the boy pup Old Dan. He (like, likes) the sound of Dan. He (like, likes) the sound of the name. the name.

7. Billy tells his sisters about the 7. Billy tells his sisters about the soda pop. It (taste, tastes) sweet soda pop. It (taste, tastes) sweet and bubbly. and bubbly.

8. The fire escape was a pipe that 8. The fire escape was a pipe that ran up the side of the building. It ran up the side of the building. It (appear, appears) funny-looking. (appear, appears) funny-looking.

9. Little Ann was the smartest of 9. Little Ann was the smartest of the two hounds. She (guide, the two hounds. She (guide, guides) Old Dan out of trouble. guides) Old Dan out of trouble.

10. Papa easily forgives Billy for 10. Papa easily forgives Billy for running off. He (know, knows) he running off. He (know, knows) he would have done the same thing would have done the same thing at Billy's age. at Billy's age.

11. Which of the following is 11. Which of the following is written correctly?written correctly?

a)a) Billy want to go to school.Billy want to go to school.

b)b) Grandpa loves to tease Billy.Grandpa loves to tease Billy.

c)c) Daisy give milk each day.Daisy give milk each day.

d)d) Papa please Mama with a hug.Papa please Mama with a hug.

12. Which of the following sentences 12. Which of the following sentences does not contain a mistake?does not contain a mistake?

a)a) She eat the candy one piece at a time. She eat the candy one piece at a time.

b)b) News spread quickly through the News spread quickly through the mountains. mountains.

c)c) Neither Billy or his grandpa like eating Neither Billy or his grandpa like eating raw eggs . raw eggs .

d)d) Wilson Rawls narrates a wonderful Wilson Rawls narrates a wonderful story!story!  

13. Choose the answer that is written 13. Choose the answer that is written correctly.correctly.

a)a) One of the dogs bellows through the One of the dogs bellows through the night. night.

b)b) The woman with all the dogs talk to Billy The woman with all the dogs talk to Billy at the store. at the store.

c)c) The boy on the playground fight Billy. The boy on the playground fight Billy.

d)d) Everybody play games in the Everybody play games in the schoolyard.schoolyard.

  

14. Which of the following sentences does 14. Which of the following sentences does not contain a mistake?not contain a mistake?

a)a) The family love to eat dinner at 6:00 P.M. The family love to eat dinner at 6:00 P.M.

b)b) Everyone sees Billy in his overalls. Everyone sees Billy in his overalls.

c)c) An old K. C. Baking Powder can fill to the An old K. C. Baking Powder can fill to the top with coins. top with coins.

d)d) Billy count his money every day until he Billy count his money every day until he has enough to buy the pups.has enough to buy the pups.

  

15. Choose the answer that is written 15. Choose the answer that is written correctly. correctly.

a)a) Each day brings a new joy to Billy. Each day brings a new joy to Billy.

b)b) Either Little Ann or Old Dan play games Either Little Ann or Old Dan play games through the woods going home.through the woods going home.

c)c) Billy love his grandpa. Billy love his grandpa.

d)d) It sound like the mountain lion would cry It sound like the mountain lion would cry all night long. all night long.