what’s the function? subject/verb agreement copyright 2014 by write score, llc. all rights...
TRANSCRIPT
What’s the Function?Subject/Verb Agreement
•Copyright 2014 by Write Score, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Though many students may consider subject/verb agreement to be a rather inconsequential part of writing, it is actually extremely important.
To communicate effectively to an audience, a person must be able to express himself or herself coherently.
Clarity is key, and correct subject/verb agreement contributes to clarity.
Mastering basic skills such as subject/verb agreement builds a foundation for excellent writing.
How does subject/verb agreement contribute to good writing?
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Examples:She cleverly outsmarts him. (singular subject, singular verb)
They cleverly outsmart him. (plural subject, plural verb)
Rule #1
Use a singular verb with two singular subjects connected by “or” or “nor”.
Example: Julianne or Toby is going to work the late shift tonight.
Rule #2
Use a singular verb with two singular subjects connected by “either/or” or “neither/nor.”
Example: Neither Raul nor Janet is available to drive me to the movies.
Rule #3
When “I” is one of the two subjects connected by “either/or” or “neither/nor,” put the “I” second and use a (first-person) singular verb.
Example: Neither he nor I am planning a birthday party for Lisa.
Rule #4
When a singular subject is connected by “or” or “nor” to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Example: The dog or the cats have torn down the window shades in the living room.
Rule #5
When a singular and plural subject are connected by “either/or” or “neither/nor”, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Example:Neither Henry nor his friends know when the bikes were stolen.
Rule #6
Generally, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by the word “and.”
Example: Jupiter and Saturn are located in our solar system.
Rule #7
When the subject is separated from the verb by an expression such as “along with,” “besides,” “as well as,” etc., determine the verb by using the original subject.
Example: Stephen, along with his sisters, is attending the school play tonight.
Rule #8
Use singular verbs with pronouns such as “anyone,” “anybody,” “each,” “everyone,” “every one,” “everybody,” “someone,” and “somebody.”
Example: Anyone who speaks during the test gets five points taken away.
Rule #9
With “portion words” – such as “percent,” “fraction,” “part,” “majority,” “some,” “all,” “none,” “remainder,” etc. – determine the verb by the object of the preposition.
Example:The majority of the cake is gone.A fraction of the cookies are left.
Rule #10
The expression “the number” requires a singular verb, while the expression “a number” requires a plural verb.
Example(s): The number of people attending is high.
A number of participants are not coming anymore.
Rule #11
Always use singular verbs with “either” and “neither” as subject.
Example(s):Neither of the students was willing to admit what happened.
Either of the students is able to enter the contest.
Rule #12
The subject follows the verb in sentences that begin with “here” and “there.”
Examples:There are four popsicles left in the freezer.
There is one ice-cream sandwich left.
Rule #13
Use a singular verb with periods of time or amounts in money.
Examples:Thirty dollars is a steep price.
Four years seems like such a long time.
Rule #14
The pronouns “who,” “that,” and “which” are made singular or plural depending on the noun in front of them.
Example(s):She is the student who collects cans for the clothing drive each year.
He is one of the club members who organize the car wash each year.
Rule #15
Collective nouns such as “staff” and “team” may be either singular or plural, depending on how they are used in the sentence.
Examples:The team usually wins the championship.(referring to the team as a unit)
The team are undecided about the lineup. (referring to individual members)
Rule #16
Apply your new knowledge on subject/verb agreement.
On Your Own
Review your answers with your partner. Were there observations you found that they did not?
What did they find you didn’t?
With a Partner