Subject/Verb Subject/Verb Agreement NotesAgreement NotesTake notes on your own paper.Take notes on your own paper.

1. Don’t get confused by the words 1. Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect verb; they do not affect

agreement.agreement.

The The dogdog, who is chewing on my jeans, , who is chewing on my jeans, isis usually very good. usually very good.

2. If the words 2. If the words each, every, each, every, or noor no come before the come before the subject, the verb is subject, the verb is singular. singular.

No No smoking and drinking smoking and drinking isis allowed. allowed. Every Every man and woman man and woman isis required to required to

check in. check in. Exception – No/Each/Every precedes a Exception – No/Each/Every precedes a

plural noun.plural noun.

3. When you have subjects 3. When you have subjects separated by separated by or, nor, neither/nor, or, nor, neither/nor, either/oreither/or, and , and not only/but alsonot only/but also, , you use the verb form of the you use the verb form of the

subject that is nearest the verb.subject that is nearest the verb.

Do your Do your sisters or your girlfriend sisters or your girlfriend wantwant any pizza? any pizza? Singular subjectSingular subject or or Plural subjectPlural subject verb (agrees verb (agrees

with plural)with plural) Verb (agrees with singular) Verb (agrees with singular) Singular subjectSingular subject or or

Plural subjectPlural subject

4. Collective nouns like 4. Collective nouns like herd, senate, class, crowd, herd, senate, class, crowd, etc. usually take a singular etc. usually take a singular verb form. verb form.

The The herdherd is stampeding. is stampeding.

Your Turn!Your Turn!

1.1. People who were at the grocery store on Saturday People who were at the grocery store on Saturday (was, were) crazy.(was, were) crazy.

2.2. There (is, are) both men and women at the meeting. There (is, are) both men and women at the meeting. 3.3. Each of you (has, have) an equal chance to make Each of you (has, have) an equal chance to make

good grades. good grades. 4.4. None of my friends (is, are) visiting this weekend.None of my friends (is, are) visiting this weekend.5.5. Either March or April (is, are) the month where I start Either March or April (is, are) the month where I start

enjoying nice weather.enjoying nice weather.6.6. Either your sisters or my friend (help, helps) my out Either your sisters or my friend (help, helps) my out

every day.every day.7.7. The news about Afghanistan (is, are) shocking, isn’t The news about Afghanistan (is, are) shocking, isn’t

it? it?