Use the correct subject or verb

Key Notes:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement Basics:

  • The subject and verb must agree in number (singular or plural).
  • If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.
  • If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Examples:

  • Singular: The dog barks loudly.
  • Plural: The dogs bark loudly.

2. Identifying Singular and Plural Subjects:

  • A singular subject refers to one person, thing, or idea (e.g., a dog, a book).
  • A plural subject refers to more than one person, thing, or idea (e.g., dogs, books).

3. Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement:

  • Subjects joined by “and” are usually plural:
    Example: Tom and Jerry are friends.
  • Subjects joined by “or” or “nor”: The verb should agree with the closest subject. Example: Neither the teacher nor the students were present. Example: Either the cat or the dogs are noisy.
  • Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “someone,” and “anyone” are singular. Example: Everyone is happy.

4. Verbs Ending in “s”:

  • In present tense, verbs ending in “s” typically go with singular subjects.
  • Examples:
    • He plays soccer. (singular)
    • They play soccer. (plural)

5. Compound Subjects:

  • When two singular nouns are joined by “and,” the verb should be plural. Example: The boy and the girl are playing together.
  • When two singular nouns are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the second subject. Example: Neither the cat nor the dogs are playing.

6. Using “There is” or “There are”:

  • “There is” is used with singular subjects, and “there are” is used with plural subjects.
  • Example: There is a book on the table.
    There are many books on the table.

7. Inverted Sentences:

  • In questions or sentences starting with negative words like “never” or “not,” the subject and verb still need to agree.
  • Example: Does she like chocolate? Example: Never has he seen such a beautiful view.

8. Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs):

  • Helping verbs (is, are, was, were, has, have, etc.) must agree with the subject in number.
  • Example: She has completed her homework.
  • Example: They have completed their homework.

Let’s practice!🖊️