Language Network

Subject-VerbAgreement

Agreement in Number

Here’s the IdeaSingular and Plural SubjectsVerb PhrasesDoesn’t and Don’t

Why It Matters

Practice and Apply

Subject-Verb Agreement

A verb must agree with its subject in number.

Number refers to whether a word is singular or plural.

Here’s the Idea

Singular subjects take singular verbs.

The new museum displays works by local artists.

SINGULAR SUBJECT

SINGULAR VERB

Here’s the Idea

Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Chicago’s art museums display priceless paintings.

PLURAL SUBJECT

PLURALVERB

Here’s the Idea

Most nouns that end in s or es are plural.

Most verbs that end in s are singular.

Here’s the Idea

In a verb phrase, it is the first helping verb that agrees with the subject.

A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs.

Theresa has collected ceramic figurines.

SINGULAR HELPING VERB

Here’s the Idea

PLURAL HELPING VERB

Friends have admired her interesting collection.

Here’s the Idea

SINGULAR VERB

Two common contractions are doesn’t and don’t.Use doesn’t with all singular subjects except I and you.

Samuel doesn’t use computer clip art.

Here’s the Idea

WITH PRONOUN I

PLURAL VERB

Use don’t with all plural subjects and with the pronouns I and you.

I don’t like these pictures.

We don’t like computer clip art.

Here’s the Idea

Errors in subject-verb agreement can occur when you revise your work.

If you change a subject from singular to plural or vice versa, be sure to change the verb as well.

Why It Matters

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.

The weavers makes brightly colored designs.

1.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.

Kente weavers creates complex designs with bright colors.

2.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.

The designs doesn’t just provide visual pleasure.

3.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence so that the verb agrees with its subject.

The Ashanti people wears kente cloth for special holidays.

4.

Practice and Apply

Agreement Problems in Sentences

Here’s the IdeaSubjects in Unusual PositionsPredicate NounsPrepositional Phrases

Why It Matters

Practice and Apply

Subject-Verb Agreement

Some sentences can be tricky. Watch out for:

• sentences with subjects in unusual positions

• sentences containing predicate nouns

• sentences in which prepositional phrases separate subjects and verbs

Here’s the Idea

• a question

• a sentence beginning with here or there

A subject can follow a verb or part of a verb phrase in

• a sentence in which an adjective, an adverb, or a phrase is placed first

Here’s the Idea

Subjects in Unusual Positions

Type of Sentence Example

Question Does this music video have good graphics?

Sentence beginning Here is a DJ with an with here or there enjoyable play list.

Sentence beginning Around the nation is

with adverb, heard the sound. adjective, or phrase

Here’s the Idea

Here’s How Choosing a correct verb form

• Rephrase the sentence so that the subject comes before the verb.

• Determine whether the subject is singular or plural.

• Choose the verb form that agrees with the subject.

• Add the correct verb to the original sentence.

Here’s the Idea

In a sentence containing a predicate noun, the verb should agree with the subject, not the predicate noun.

Nechita’s works have been a topic of magazine articles.

Here’s the Idea

The colors of a batik garment indicate where it came from.

The subject of a verb is never found in a prepositional phrase.

Here’s the Idea

Writers sometimes place verbs before subjects to make their writing more interesting.

When you do this, make sure that the verbs agree with their subjects.

Why It Matters

Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.

Does your classmates collect posters?5.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.

The bright colors in the poster catches my eye.

6.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.

One of the best poster artists were Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

7.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence, correcting agreement errors.

Has you ever seen Toulouse-Lautrec’s posters?

8.

Practice and Apply