Know the Rules!

(SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT)
1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.

Example: She writes every day.

2. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Example: They write every day.
3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of
two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and,
use a plural verb.
Example: The doctoral student and the committee
4. When there is one subject and more than one
verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree
with the subject.
Example: Interviews are one way to collect data and
allow researchers to gain in depth understanding of
participants.
5. Intervening words like together with, in addition
to, along with, as well as, including and similar
constructions following the subject do not affect the
number of the subject.
Examples: The student, as well as the committee
members, is excited.
Strategies that the teacher uses to
encourage classroom participation include using
small groups and clarifying expectations.
These ________ the ____________ of angles in _____________.
Examples:
An acute angle measures less than 90° at the vertex.
An obtuse angle is between 90° and 180°.
A right angle precisely measures 90° at the vertex.
An angle measuring exactly 180° is a straight angle.
A reflex angle measures between 180°- 360°.
A complete angle measure equals 360°.
1. There are seven people in the picture.
2. There is a cat on a chair.
3. There is a woman standing behind a sofa.
4. There aren’t any cups on the table.
5. There are some books under the coffee table.
6. There is a small chair in front of the coffee table.
7. There aren’t any children in the living room.
8. There are some flowers in front of a man.
9. There is a fan in the picture.
10. There is a small dog next to a chair.
FIRST SECOND AND THIRD
Determine whether the pronoun in bold type is in
first, second, or third person. Write 1st if it is a first-
person pronoun, 2nd if it is a second-person
pronoun, or 3rd if it is a third-person pronoun.
1. They watch television. _______

2. We want ice cream. ________

3. You sing well. ________

Rewrite each sentence to replace the plural noun in the
sentence with one of these collective nouns: class, army,
team, band, audience.
The players celebrate their winning games with pizza and
ice cream.
The soldiers need new supplies.
The people watching the show clap when the curtain goes
down.
The students hope that there will be no homework
tonight.
The musicians enjoy performing for their fans.
Complete the sentences below with the correct indefinite
pronouns.

1. I looked _____ for my cat, but I couldn’t find it.

2. James called his friend, but _____ answered the phone.
3. I didn’t go _____ on the weekend, so I was really bored.
4. Let’s get _______ to eat after our class.
5. Did you hear that? I think ________ rang the doorbell.
6. ________ was on time. No one was late.
Complete the sentences below with the correct indefinite
pronouns.

7. I didn’t eat ______ for lunch, so I’m really hungry now.

8. Linda understood _______ that her teacher said.
9. I had ______ to go because all the shops were closed.
10. ______ came to school because it was a holiday.
11. Fernando wants to go ______ interesting next
summer.
12. Was ______ at home when you knocked on the door?
STATE THE RULES

1. In sentences beginning with "there is" or

"there are," the subject follows the verb. Since
"there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with
what follows the verb.
Examples: There is little administrative support.
There are many factors affecting teacher
retention.
STATE THE RULES

2. A collective noun acting as a single unit takes

a singular verb. However, the plural verb is used
when the individual if the focus is on the
individuals in the group.
Examples: The group meets every week.
The committee participate in various volunteer
activities in private lives.
STATE THE RULES

3. In the present tense, verbs agree with their

subjects in NUMBER (singular/plural) and in
PERSON (first, second, or third). The present
tense ending –s (or –es) is used on a verb if the
subject is THIRD PERSON SINGULAR. Otherwise,
the verb takes NO ENDING.
STATE THE RULES

4. A few indefinite pronouns such as All, Any,

None and Some may be singular or plural
DEPENDING on the noun or pronoun they refer
to.
Examples:
Some of the apples were sold.
Some of the flour was spilled.
STATE THE RULES

5. Titles of works, story, article or establishment,

even when plural in form, takes a singular
subject
Example:

BSP Enterprises is owned by Mr. Santos.

Group Shot: Take any picture using a cellphone
then write three sentences based on the things
found in the picture. Apply the rules discussed
from our lesson.
Take a Shot: Take any picture using a cellphone
then write three sentences based on the things
found in the picture. Apply the rules discussed
from our lesson.
Assessment:
Underline the subject (or compound subject) and
then identify the verb that agrees with it.
1. Your friendship over the years and your support
(has/have) meant a great deal to us.
2. Hamilton Family Center, a shelter for teenage
runaways in San Francisco,
(offers/offer) a wide variety of services.
3. The main source of income for Trinidad (is/are) oil
and pitch.
Assessment:
4. The chances of your being promoted (is/are)
excellent.
5. There (was/were) a Pokémon card stuck to the
refrigerator.
6. Neither the professor nor his assistants
(was/were) able to solve the mystery of the eerie
glow in the laboratory.
7. Many hours at the driving range (has/have) led us
to design golf balls with GPS locators in them.
Assessment:
8. Discovered in the soil of our city garden
(was/were) a button dating from the
Civil War dating from the turn of the century.
9. Every year, during the midsummer festival, the
smoke of village bonfires (fills/fill) the sky.
10. The story performers (was/were) surrounded by
children and adults eager to see magical tales.