Subject Verb Subject Verb AgreementAgreementBasic Definition and Basic Definition and

PrepositionsPrepositions

Subject Verb AgreementSubject Verb Agreement• A verb must agree with its subject in A verb must agree with its subject in

numbernumber– Singular subjects take singular Singular subjects take singular

verbsverbs

Subject Verb AgreementSubject Verb Agreement• TheThe candle burnscandle burns slowly slowly

SS VV

The The car comescar comes to a sudden stop to a sudden stop

Subject Verb AgreementSubject Verb Agreement• Plural subjects take plural verbsPlural subjects take plural verbs

– The The candles burn candles burn slowly slowly SS VV

– The The prisoners walkprisoners walk in the exercise in the exercise yard yard

Subject Verb AgreementSubject Verb Agreement• How can you tell if the verb is How can you tell if the verb is

singular or plural? singular or plural? – Replace the subject with he or they.Replace the subject with he or they.

– You should be able to hear if it is You should be able to hear if it is correct or not correct or not

Subject Verb AgreementSubject Verb Agreement• He He walk (Does this sound correct?) walk (Does this sound correct?)

– He is singular and it does not fit the He is singular and it does not fit the verb. verb.

• They They walk (Does this sound walk (Does this sound correct?)correct?)– They is plural and it does fit the verb.They is plural and it does fit the verb.

Prepositional phrases Prepositional phrases between subject and verbbetween subject and verb

• Students often commit agreement Students often commit agreement errors because they mistake words in errors because they mistake words in prepositional phrases for the subjects prepositional phrases for the subjects of verbs of verbs

• The many lights on the Christmas tree The many lights on the Christmas tree makes it look very festive. makes it look very festive. [[LightsLights, not , not treetree, is the subject.], is the subject.]

• The many The many lightslights on the Christmas tree on the Christmas tree make make it look very festive. it look very festive.

Prepositional PhrasesPrepositional PhrasesAboardAboard BehindBehind FromFrom ThroughoutThroughout

AboutAbout BelowBelow InIn ToTo

AboveAbove BeneathBeneath IntoInto TowardToward

AcrossAcross BesideBeside LikeLike UnderUnder

AfterAfter BetweenBetween NearNear UnderneathUnderneath

AgainstAgainst BeyondBeyond OfOf UntilUntil

AlongAlong But (except)But (except) OffOff UntoUnto

AmidAmid ByBy OnOn UpUp

AmongAmong DownDown OverOver UponUpon

AroundAround DuringDuring PastPast WithWith

AtAt ExceptExcept SinceSince WithinWithin

BeforeBefore ForFor ThroughThrough WithoutWithout

Prepositional PhrasesPrepositional Phrases• When there is a prepositional When there is a prepositional

phrase, one should cross out the phrase, one should cross out the phrase in order to see the subject phrase in order to see the subject and verb agreement. and verb agreement.

• 1. Many dogwood 1. Many dogwood trees trees on my street on my street areare in bloom. in bloom.

Prepositional PhrasesPrepositional Phrases• 2. Her 2. Her paperpaper on rare American stamps on rare American stamps

needs needs editing.editing.• 3. Your 3. Your opinionopinion of the candidates of the candidates givesgives

the pollster important information.the pollster important information.• 4. The 4. The scientistsscientists at Cape Canaveral at Cape Canaveral

work work many extra hours during a launchmany extra hours during a launch• 5. Some 5. Some studentsstudents in the class in the class volunteervolunteer

for outside assignments. for outside assignments.