Sub verb agreement

1. chomp!
chomp!This presentation is
brought to you by r
entsstnraobugp ,
©2013 by Robin L.
Simmons.
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2013 by Robin L.
Simmons.

2. y,©2uTb01un©r3R n uusuLb
y,©2uTb01un©r3R n uusuLb Subject-Verb AgreementSubject-Verb AgreementDo I need an
g at the end
of the verb?
Do I need an
s at the end
of the verb?Or should I
leave the g
off?
Or should I
leave the s
off?

3. This presentation
covers maintaining r
tRnuusuLbr
between rg,©2uTbgr
and r.un©g . This presentation
covers maintaining
agreement
between subjects
and verbs.

4. A subject-verb agreement A subject-verb agreement
item on an objective test item on an objective test
might look like this might look like this .. .. ..

5. yts murdbus
yts murdbus Sample ItemSample Item
The foods that provide good nutrition is The foods that provide good nutrition is
often the least tasty; a hamburger and fries, often the least tasty; a hamburger and fries,
on the other hand, satisfy the tongue but on the other hand, satisfy the tongue but
clog the arteries.clog the arteries.
A.A.providesprovides
B.B.areare
C.C.satisfiessatisfies
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The foods that The foods that provideprovide good nutrition good nutrition isis
AA BB
often the least tasty; a hamburger and fries, often the least tasty; a hamburger and fries,
on the other hand, on the other hand, satisfysatisfy the tongue but the tongue but
CC
clog the arteries.clog the arteries.
A.A.providesprovides
B.B.areare
C.C.satisfiessatisfies
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The foods that The foods that provideprovide good nutrition good nutrition areare
AA BB
often the least tasty; a hamburger and fries, often the least tasty; a hamburger and fries,
on the other hand, on the other hand, satisfysatisfy the tongue but the tongue but
CC
clog the arteries.clog the arteries.
A.A.providesprovides
B.B.areare
C.C.satisfiessatisfies
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.Does
disagreement
happen at r
ni.Sfu , rSg , or r
gtbSgvo T
Does
disagreement
happen at
provide, is, or
satisfy?dgr needs to be
the plural rtnu ,
which option rar
fixes.
Is needs to be
the plural are,
which option B
fixes.

6. 3RnuusuLbrSLrtr?,bghumm
3RnuusuLbrSLrtr?,bghumm Agreement in a NutshellAgreement in a Nutshell
The The elephantelephant
trumpettrumpetss for a peanut. for a peanut.
The The elephantselephants
trumpettrumpet for peanuts. for peanuts.
elephantelephant = singular subject = singular subject
trumpetstrumpets = singular verb = singular verb
elephantselephants = plural subject = plural subject
trumpettrumpet = plural verb = plural verb

7. In the r nuguLbr
buLgu , rgSLR,mtnr
verbs end in the suffix r
g h r m,ntm r verbs do r
Lib . In the present
tense, singular
verbs end in the suffix
s; plural verbs do
not.

8. This ipsripenstaobugypsoiuots
This ipsripenstaobugypsoiuots
,iaoe©s20s
,iaoe©s20s
yo©
yo©
sry1esy
sry1esy
s
s
3gupyg
3gupyg
s
s
tu2,eRL.
tu2,eRL. Two [or more] singular nouns Two [or more] singular nouns
joined by joined by andand make a make a pluralplural
subject.subject.
The chicken The chicken wingwing and pork and pork ribrib sitsit
untouched on Ruth’s plate.untouched on Ruth’s plate.1i nu©isghibi,©seo sts
ngsghisietso3 s taL RsLous
reo.spg,©sn s3gupygs
Sibm0
Because there’s no s
at the end of sit, you
know it’s a plural
verb.

9. EveryEvery chicken wing chicken wing andand pork rib sitpork rib sitss
untouched on Ruth’s plate.untouched on Ruth’s plate.DIeos
DIeos
eyRI
eyRI
sips
sips
emep0
emep0
s3peRe©etsLhis
s3peRe©etsLhis
ipsripenstaobugypsoiuots,iaoe©s20s
ipsripenstaobugypsoiuots,iaoe©s20s
yo©
yo©
ds0iusIymesys
ds0iusIymesys
taobugyp
taobugyp
stu2,eRL.
stu2,eRL.
When When eacheach or or everyevery precedes two precedes two
[or more] singular nouns joined by [or more] singular nouns joined by
andand, you have a , you have a singularsingular subject. subject.1i nu©isghibi sats
ne sts ngsghisietso3 s
taL RsLousreo.spg,©sn s
taobugyps Sibm0
Because there is
an s at the end of
sit, you know it’s a
singular verb.

10. fosLIatstaLuyLaiodsoisryLLeps
fosLIatstaLuyLaiodsoisryLLeps
Iihsryo0
Iihsryo0
s
s
taobugypsoiuots0ius,iaoshaLIs
taobugypsoiuots0ius,iaoshaLIs
yo©
yo©
dsLIes
dsLIes
tu2,eRLsats
tu2,eRLsats
tLagg
tLagg
s
s
taobugyp.
taobugyp. In this situation, no matter In this situation, no matter how manyhow many
singular nouns you join with singular nouns you join with andand, the , the
subject is subject is stillstill singular.singular.
EveryEvery chicken wing, pork rib, slice of pepperoni pizza, chicken wing, pork rib, slice of pepperoni pizza,
hotdog, hamburger, steak, hotdog, hamburger, steak, andand fried shrimp fried shrimp sitssits
untouched on Ruth’s plate.untouched on Ruth’s plate.
XX
XX
XX XXXX
XXf,dsns
mebeLypayo T
I’m a
vegetarian!

11. ?tesRyuLaioshaLIsLIetesLIpees
?tesRyuLaioshaLIsLIetesLIpees
Rio,uoRLaiotOs
Rio,uoRLaiotOs
eaLIepslsip
eaLIepslsip
ds
ds
oeaLIepsls
oeaLIepsls
oip
oip
dsyo©s
dsyo©s
oiLsiog0sls2uLsygti
oiLsiog0sls2uLsygti
.
. Use caution with these three Use caution with these three
conjunctions: conjunctions: either … oreither … or, , neither … neither …
nornor, and , and not only … but alsonot only … but also..
Not only the employees but also Not only the employees but also their their
boss wish the shift would endboss wish the shift would end..
Not only the employees but also Not only the employees but also their their
bossboss wisheswishes the shift would endthe shift would end..
Not only the boss but also her Not only the boss but also her
employeesemployees wishwish the shift would end.the shift would end.?ou,22shnSi sLhis ©umOi g©Rs
mugsoe2Lsghi sRgiteps oei sl spes
ghp©s n©i s2itt s l sRiuoLt T
You’ll have two subjects,
but only the closer one — in
this case boss — counts!f3sLou scga3s ghisg.os©umOi g©Rs
©osghng ser3gi0eets p©seicgs
gosghisSibmRsghie shatIs .p22s
.obrw
If you flip the two subjects,
so that employees is next
to the verb, then wish will
work!

12. TIetes
TIetes
ao©ecaoaLes3pioiuot
ao©ecaoaLes3pioiuot
s
s
ypes
ypes
yghy0ts
yghy0ts
taobugyp
taobugyp
s
s
emeoshIeosLIe0s
emeoshIeosLIe0s
teer
teer
s3gupygn.
s3gupygn. These These indefinite pronounsindefinite pronouns are are
always always singularsingular [even when they [even when they
seemseem plural]. plural].
Each, either, neitherEach, either, neither
Anyone, anybody, anything Anyone, anybody, anything
Everyone, everybody, everythingEveryone, everybody, everything
No one, nobody, nothingNo one, nobody, nothing
Someone, somebody, somethingSomeone, somebody, something

13. Smep0ioes oes;nbghsC s
ripesLIyos oeisaib©oe
l 2aggaiots o3saioa2iRspes
3n g0
This.obt semep0ioe Rs
ho.iSibRsp©s©gp22 s
taobugyp 0 Everyone on Earth =
more than one person
—billions of people, in
fact.
The word everyone,
however, is still
singular.

14. The squirrel as well as the pigeons keep an The squirrel as well as the pigeons keep an
eye on Sammy, the sneaky cat.eye on Sammy, the sneaky cat.wehypesaoLeppu3Laobs3Ipytet.
wehypesaoLeppu3Laobs3Ipytet.
Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.
As well asAs well as
Along withAlong with
Together withTogether with
IncludingIncluding
In addition toIn addition to
EspeciallyEspecially1nt s
1aLL0 T
Bad
kitty!Thp©s©iegie isdpDhg s
tiuo©s bpDhgRsmugspgsp©s
oda2igi2L shpiob T
This sentence might
sound right, but it is
completely wrong!

15. This hprenh thapio apo ah b
This hprenh thapio apo ah b Beware inverted word order.Beware inverted word order.
Here is the onions you need for the chili. In the Here is the onions you need for the chili. In the
refrigerator is the jalapeño peppers you might refrigerator is the jalapeño peppers you might
want to add.want to add.Sinppsreino2e p
u huogrtroesyp
u, sghgp rnsu tbs
reh p hsyp pom1hgrD
Cross through
prepositional
phrases to find
the real subject!©h hp 0tb p
t,h hp 0ih p
ehnh p rehs
pom1hgrp,
Here and
there are
never the
subjects.

16. 2 0 r 1 3 p R h g t
2 0 r 1 3 p R h g t Quick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in the the option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”cen.sLhs
.e0r pSo0p
3eoi ,
Show me
what you
know.

17. mthDpI
mthDpI Item 1Item 1
In the cabinet is the tools that you will need to In the cabinet is the tools that you will need to
unclog the bathroom sink; I have found that a unclog the bathroom sink; I have found that a
plunger and a prayer often do the trick.plunger and a prayer often do the trick.
A.A.areare
B.B.hashas
C.C.doesdoes
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
In the cabinet In the cabinet isis the tools that you will need to the tools that you will need to
AA
unclog the bathroom sink; I unclog the bathroom sink; I havehave found that a found that a
BB
plunger and a prayer often plunger and a prayer often dodo the trick. the trick.
CC
A.A.areare
B.B.hashas
C.C.doesdoes
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
In the cabinet In the cabinet areare the tools that you will need to the tools that you will need to
AA
unclog the bathroom sink; I unclog the bathroom sink; I havehave found that a found that a
BB
plunger and a prayer often plunger and a prayer often dodo the trick. the trick.
CC
A.A.areare
B.B.hashas
C.C.doesdoes
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

18. mthDpd
mthDpd Item 2Item 2
Here are the books that Thomas and Darlene Here are the books that Thomas and Darlene
need for their research, and here is the earplugs need for their research, and here is the earplugs
that you’ll require once they both doze off in that you’ll require once they both doze off in
boredom and start snoring.boredom and start snoring.
A.A.isis
B.B.areare
C.C.dozesdozes
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Here Here areare the books that Thomas and Darlene the books that Thomas and Darlene
AA
need for their research, and here need for their research, and here isis the earplugs the earplugs
BB
that you’ll require once they both that you’ll require once they both dozedoze off in off in
CC
boredom and start snoring.boredom and start snoring.
A.A.isis
B.B.areare
C.C.dozesdozes
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Here Here areare the books that Thomas and Darlene the books that Thomas and Darlene
AA
need for their research, and here need for their research, and here areare the earplugs the earplugs
BB
that you’ll require once they both that you’ll require once they both dozedoze off in off in
CC
boredom and start snoring.boredom and start snoring.
A.A.isis
B.B.areare
C.C.dozesdozes
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

19. mthDpf
mthDpf Item 3Item 3
Jasmine and Rodney have decided to double the Jasmine and Rodney have decided to double the
number of cupcakes that they are baking since number of cupcakes that they are baking since
everyone love moist cake and chocolate frosting.everyone love moist cake and chocolate frosting.
A.A.hashas
B.B.isis
C.C.lovesloves
D.D.No change is necessary. No change is necessary.
Jasmine and Rodney Jasmine and Rodney havehave decided to double the decided to double the
AA
number of cupcakes that they number of cupcakes that they areare baking since baking since
BB
everyone everyone lovelove moist cake and chocolate frosting. moist cake and chocolate frosting.
CC
A.A.hashas
B.B.isis
C.C.lovesloves
D.D.No change is necessary. No change is necessary.
Jasmine and Rodney Jasmine and Rodney havehave decided to double the decided to double the
AA
number of cupcakes that they number of cupcakes that they areare baking since baking since
BB
everyone everyone lovesloves moist cake and chocolate frosting. moist cake and chocolate frosting.
CC
A.A.hashas
B.B.isis
C.C.lovesloves
D.D.No change is necessary. No change is necessary.

20. mthDpv
mthDpv Item 4Item 4
Not only those students but also their professor Not only those students but also their professor
look forward to the final exam; everyone has look forward to the final exam; everyone has
exciting vacation plans that start next Monday.exciting vacation plans that start next Monday.
A.A.lookslooks
B.B.havehave
C.C.startsstarts
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Not only those students but also their professor Not only those students but also their professor
looklook forward to the final exam; everyone forward to the final exam; everyone hashas
AA BB
exciting vacation plans that exciting vacation plans that startstart next Monday. next Monday.
CC
A.A.lookslooks
B.B.havehave
C.C.startsstarts
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Not only those students but also their professor Not only those students but also their professor
lookslooks forward to the final exam; everyone forward to the final exam; everyone hashas
AA BB
exciting vacation plans that exciting vacation plans that startstart next Monday. next Monday.
CC
A.A.lookslooks
B.B.havehave
C.C.startsstarts
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

21. mthDp?
mthDp? Item 5Item 5
At the pet store, each iguana, mouse, and gerbil At the pet store, each iguana, mouse, and gerbil
try to climb the walls of its glass cage while try to climb the walls of its glass cage while
humans hover outside like giant predators who are humans hover outside like giant predators who are
ready to strike.ready to strike.
A.A.triestries
B.B.hovershovers
C.C.isis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
At the pet store, each iguana, mouse, and gerbil At the pet store, each iguana, mouse, and gerbil
trytry to climb the walls of its glass cage while to climb the walls of its glass cage while
AA
humans humans hoverhover outside like giant predators who outside like giant predators who areare
BB CC
ready to strike.ready to strike.
A.A.triestries
B.B.hovershovers
C.C.isis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
At the pet store, each iguana, mouse, and gerbil At the pet store, each iguana, mouse, and gerbil
triestries to climb the walls of its glass cage while to climb the walls of its glass cage while
AA
humans humans hoverhover outside like giant predators who outside like giant predators who areare
BB CC
ready to strike.ready to strike.
A.A.triestries
B.B.hovershovers
C.C.isis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

22. This p
This p Item 6Item 6
Tyrone, as well as his cousins, hope that Grandma Tyrone, as well as his cousins, hope that Grandma
brings her famous brownies and peach pie that brings her famous brownies and peach pie that
drip with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.drip with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.
A.A.hopeshopes
B.B.bringbring
C.C.dripsdrips
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Tyrone, as well as his cousins, Tyrone, as well as his cousins, hopehope that Grandma that Grandma
AA
bringsbrings her famous brownies and peach pie that her famous brownies and peach pie that
BB
dripdrip with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.
CC
A.A.hopeshopes
B.B.bringbring
C.C.dripsdrips
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Tyrone, as well as his cousins, Tyrone, as well as his cousins, hopeshopes that Grandma that Grandma
AA
bringsbrings her famous brownies and peach pie that her famous brownies and peach pie that
BB
dripdrip with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.
CC
A.A.hopeshopes
B.B.bringbring
C.C.dripsdrips
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

23. This r
This r Item 7Item 7
Either the dogs or the cat sleep on the bed while Either the dogs or the cat sleep on the bed while
everyone is out; Lorraine always finds an everyone is out; Lorraine always finds an
indentation in the center of her comforter.indentation in the center of her comforter.
A.A.sleepssleeps
B.B.areare
C.C.findfind
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Either the dogs or the cat Either the dogs or the cat sleepsleep on the bed while on the bed while
AA
everyone everyone isis out; Lorraine always out; Lorraine always findsfinds an an
BB CC
indentation in the center of her comforter.indentation in the center of her comforter.
A.A.sleepssleeps
B.B.areare
C.C.findfind
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Either the dogs or the cat Either the dogs or the cat sleepssleeps on the bed while on the bed while
AA
everyone everyone isis out; Lorraine always out; Lorraine always findsfinds an an
BB CC
indentation in the center of her comforter.indentation in the center of her comforter.
A.A.sleepssleeps
B.B.areare
C.C.findfind
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

24. This e
This e Item 8Item 8
Meryl, together with her friends Beatrice and Laverne, Meryl, together with her friends Beatrice and Laverne,
plans a daily trip for ice cream, for these womenplans a daily trip for ice cream, for these women
have discovered that the calories is worth seeinghave discovered that the calories is worth seeing
Theo scoop their servings with his muscular arms.Theo scoop their servings with his muscular arms.
A.A.planplan
B.B.hashas
C.C.areare
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Meryl, together with her friends Beatrice and Laverne, Meryl, together with her friends Beatrice and Laverne,
plansplans a daily trip for ice cream, for these women a daily trip for ice cream, for these women
AA
havehave discovered that the calories discovered that the calories isis worth seeing worth seeing
BB CC
Theo scoop their servings with his muscular arms.Theo scoop their servings with his muscular arms.
A.A.planplan
B.B.hashas
C.C.areare
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Meryl, together with her friends Beatrice and Laverne, Meryl, together with her friends Beatrice and Laverne,
plansplans a daily trip for ice cream, for these women a daily trip for ice cream, for these women
AA
havehave discovered that the calories discovered that the calories areare worth seeing worth seeing
BB CC
Theo scoop their servings with his muscular arms.Theo scoop their servings with his muscular arms.
A.A.planplan
B.B.hashas
C.C.areare
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

25. This n
This n Item 9Item 9
The scissors are sharp, so neither the cousins nor The scissors are sharp, so neither the cousins nor
Timmy is allowed to play with them, even when the Timmy is allowed to play with them, even when the
boys needs to finish a school project.boys needs to finish a school project.
A.A.isis
B.B.areare
C.C.needneed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The scissors The scissors areare sharp, so neither the cousins nor sharp, so neither the cousins nor
AA
Timmy Timmy isis allowed to play with them, even when the allowed to play with them, even when the
BB
boys boys needsneeds to finish a school project. to finish a school project.
CC
A.A.isis
B.B.areare
C.C.needneed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The scissors The scissors areare sharp, so neither the cousins nor sharp, so neither the cousins nor
AA
Timmy Timmy isis allowed to play with them, even when the allowed to play with them, even when the
BB
boys boys needneed to finish a school project. to finish a school project.
CC
A.A.isis
B.B.areare
C.C.needneed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

26. This ta
This ta Item 10Item 10
Each fork, spoon, and knife are scarred from the Each fork, spoon, and knife are scarred from the
disposal since Drew refuses to check the drain disposal since Drew refuses to check the drain
before he throws the switch.before he throws the switch.
A.A.isis
B.B.refuserefuse
C.C.throwthrow
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Each fork, spoon, and knife Each fork, spoon, and knife areare scarred from the scarred from the
AA
disposal since Drew disposal since Drew refusesrefuses to check the drain to check the drain
BB
before he before he throwsthrows the switch. the switch.
CC
A.A.isis
B.B.refuserefuse
C.C.throwthrow
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Each fork, spoon, and knife Each fork, spoon, and knife isis scarred from the scarred from the
AA
disposal since Drew disposal since Drew refusesrefuses to check the drain to check the drain
BB
before he before he throwsthrows the switch. the switch.
CC
A.A.isis
B.B.refuserefuse
C.C.throwthrow
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

27. chomp!
chomp!,©2ss2© 01hi3y e
,is.u0pten00u©us noe
bn 0sy©ten 0ep;pigutpte
s e 3RL.iohSmi©L
2D©iisiIh Se2se©se
obusgobusgdous T
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises
on subject-verb
agreement. Go to
chompchomp.com!

28. The End.The End.Dn0
Olhh1 T
Bad
kitty!