chapter 26: subject-verb agreementstudent.allied.edu/uploadedfiles/docs/5193b5bb-50e9-49ef...chapter...

Chapter 26: Subject-Verb Agreement

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives

LO1 Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rules LO2 More Than One Subject LO3 Special Subject Forms LO4 Verb Before the Subject LO5 Interrupting Words and Phrases



• Subject-verb agreement simply means that a subject and verb agree in number.

LO1 Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rules



• Simple Present Tense Agreement – When the subject is he , she, it, or the equivalent (Adam, Maria, Florida), add an

-s or -es ending to the verb. – When the subject is I, you, we, they, or the equivalent (the Zorns, the mountains,

Amber and Tom) do not add an ending to the verb.




• In the past tense, all verbs except be have one past form.




• When writing in the present perfect tense, which is formed with have or has and the past participle, use has when the subject is third person singular.

– My college has raised tuition fees. Other colleges have not raised their fees.




• There are special agreement rules when there is more than one subject in a sentence.

LO2 More Than One Subject



• Some subjects are not as easy to identify as singular or plural.

– Two common types are indefinite pronouns and collective nouns.

LO3 Special Subject Forms



• Singular indefinite pronouns – Everyone knows that career colleges offer practical, career-oriented courses. – Each man and woman knows the stories about secret societies.

• Plural indefinite pronouns – Many apply to high-tech programs.




• Usually the verb comes after the subject, but in some sentences, the verb comes before the subject.

– In such cases, you must still ensure that the subject and the verb agree.

LO4 Verb Before the Subject



• Words that come between the subject and the verb may confuse you.

– Some rules regarding admission to this college are controversial.

• In these cases, look for the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with the subject.

LO5 Interrupting Words and Phrases


Subject-verb agreement means that a subject and a verb agree in

A. style. B. tense. C. number. D. subject.


When subjects are joined by and,

A. use the plural form of the verb. B. use the singular form of the verb. C. use the present progressive form of the verb. D. use the past tense of the verb.


When subjects are joined by and,

A. use the plural form of the verb. B. use the singular form of the verb. C. use the present progressive form of the verb. D. use the past tense of the verb.

LO2 More Than One Subject


Indefinite pronouns refer to

A. a specific person, place, or thing. B. a specific person. C. a general person, place, or thing. D. a general place.


When a sentence begins with there or here, the subject

A. will be there or here. B. will always follow the verb. C. will always follow the first word. D. will always be the last word of the sentence.


When a sentence begins with there or here, the subject

A. will be there or here. B. will always follow the verb. C. will always follow the first word. D. will always be the last word of the sentence. LO4 Verb Before the Subject


What is the interrupting phrase in the following sentence? A student in two of my

classes writes for the college newspaper.

A. A student B. In two of my classes C. Writes for the college newspaper D. For the college newspaper


What is the interrupting phrase in the following sentence? A student in two of my

classes writes for the college newspaper.

A. A student B. In two of my classes C. Writes for the college newspaper D. For the college newspaper

LO5 Interrupting Words and Phrases


chapter 26: subject-verb agreementstudent.allied.edu/uploadedfiles/docs/5193b5bb-50e9-49ef...chapter...

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