Chapter 10: Subject-Verb Agreement

Level 1Locating SubjectsEvery verb needs a subjectCan be difficult to find especially:

A prepositional phrase comes between the verb and its subject

An intervening element separates the subject and verb

Sentences begin with there or here Sentences are inverted (verb coming first)

Prepositional PhrasesSubject of verbs are not found in these phrasesNeed to ignore these phrases when trying to find the subjects of verbsList of prepositions are linked to wordpressLess easily recognized prepositions are: except, but, like, and between

It appears that the invoice for the two shipments was lost.

All managers but Daniel are attending the leadership workshop.

Intervening ElementsExpressions such as: along with, as well as, in addition to, such as, including, together with, plus, and other than do not have sentence subjects in the phrase

Her favorite movie star, as well as other local celebrities, is scheduled to attend the fund-raiser.

Sentences Beginning With there and hereSentences that start with there or here- look for the true subject after the verb

There are several ways to contact our Customer Service Department.

Make sure to have subject-verb agreement with contractions here's (pg 197)

Inverted Sentence OrderLook for the subject after the verb in inverted sentences

Also in questions Related to everyday business are law and

ethics. Have the product specifications been

submitted?

Basic Rules for Subject-Verb AgreementSubjects Joined by and

When one subject is joined to another by -and, the subject is usually plural Tom and Katie are working together at

subway. Subjects joined by -and are singular in only

two cases: When the words are preceded by each or

every When the words represent a single person

or thing Each letter and memo requires a manager's

signature. His wife and best friend is Christina.

Company and Organization Names Even though company and organization

names look like they are plural they are generally singular. They need singular verbs

Titles Publications (titles of, artistic works) are

singular and need a singular verb. “Clocks” is one of Coldplay's most

popular songs.

In the following sentences or groups of words, underline the simple subject(s).

1. A directory of e-mail addresses is on my computer.

2. other services such as Web hosting and HTML coding

3. one of the many reasons for developing excellent communication skills

4. current emphasis on product safety and consumer protection

5. the anger and frustration of the passengers

6. the lead actor, as well as those in supporting roles

Level 2: Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

Subjects Joined by or or norWhen two or more subject are joined by either of these words, the verb should agree with the closer subject

Neither the webmaster nor the clerks knew the customer's password.

Indefinite Pronouns as SubjectsSome indefinite pronouns are always singular, and other always plural

Pg 198 Singular indefinite pronoun—singular verb Plural indefinite pronoun—plural verb

Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural-- look at the prepositional phrase for the noun to which the indefinite pronoun refers.

Some of the report is controversial. (Some is singular because it refers to report.)

When anyone and everyone is followed by of, they are spelled as two words.

Every one of us should attend the budget development meeting.

Collective Nouns as Subjects (pg 199) Subjects such as faculty, committee, team,

etc. may be singular or plural depending on how they are used in a sentence

When it operates as one unit, it is singular. If it is functions separately, it is plural.

Select the correct form or verb.

1. Everyone except a few employees (a) admit, (b) admits that the new CEO is doing a good job.

2. No one but the Human Resources director and a few managers ever (a) talk, (b) talks about balancing work and family issues.

3. The union (a) has, (b) have to vote on the proposed contract.

4. Every one of the new start-up companies (a) is, (b) are seeking venture capital.

5. All that work (a) is, (b) are yet to be logged in.

Level 3: Additional Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement

The Distinction Between the number and a number

By adding the articles -the or -a to the word -number (by used as a subject), changes this word from singular to plural

The- is specific so it is singular a- is general so it is plural The number of times you have been late to

work is unacceptable. A number of items are included to today's

agenda.

Quantities and Measure When talking total amounts, quantities and

measures are singular. When talking about individual amounts, they are plural.

Fractions, Portions, and Percentages To figure out if fractions, portions, and

percentages, you need to look at the noun they are referring to.

One third of the contract was ratified. (One third is singular because it refers to contact.)

A majority of employees agree with the proposal. (Majority is plural because it refers to employees.)

Who and That Clauses Need to agree in number and person with the nouns

to which they refer. In who and that clauses introduced by one of- the

verb is usually plural. Susan is one of those managers who always get

excellent results from their employees.

In who and that clauses introduced by the only one of- the verb is usually singular.

Maria is the only one of our employees who is certified to give CPR.

Remember the verb needs to agree with the noun it is referring to, even in who clauses.

It is you who are responsible for booking our flights.

Phrases and Clauses as Subjects Use a singular verb

When subject of a sentence is a phrase or clause. Learning about different cultures is fascinating.

Subject Complements Complements sometimes do not agree in number

with the noun. Linking verb still needs to agree with subject. To make this easier, reword sentences so that

subjects and complements agree in number. Awk: The best part of the Web site is the graphics and

video. Better: The best parts of the Web site are the graphics

and video.

For each sentence write the letter corresponding to the correct answer.

1. The number of companies using Google to perform background checks on potential employees (a) is, (b) are growing.

2. A number of companies (a) is, (b) are also using social networking sites to investigate applicants.

3. Fifteen feet pipe (a) is, (b) are exactly what was specified.

4. Didn't you know it is you who (a) has, (b) have been chosen for the promotion?

5. Whoever is named for the job (a) has, (b) have my approval