What is “subject/verb agreement”?: Difference between revisions

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The verb in every independent or dependent clause must agree with its subject in:   
==Agreement of Subject and Verb==
 
 
'''The verb in every independent or dependent clause must agree with its subject in:'''  
* person
* person
* number
* number
The three persons are:
 
'''The three persons are:'''
*First person- the speaker
*First person- the speaker
*Second person- the person spoken to
*Second person- the person spoken to
*Third person- the person or thing spoken about
*Third person- the person or thing spoken about
The two numbers are:
 
'''The two numbers are:'''
*singular- indicating one person or thing
*singular- indicating one person or thing
*plural- indicating more than one person or thing
*plural- indicating more than one person or thing


For the subject and verb to agree in number singular or plural subjects must have a singular or plural verb. The subject takes the base form of the verb in all but the third person singular to make the subject and verb agree in person. In third person singular you need to add an ''s'' or ''es'' to the base form of the verb to make both subject and verb agree.


The most common way to check and make sure that the subject and verb agree is to identify the subject and verb of each sentence. Verbs are sometimes seperated by words that describe the subject.This can make it difficult to make sure that the subject and verb agree. The key is to make sure that the verb agrees with the subject and not with the word in the modifying phrase.
For the subject and verb to agree in number singular or plural subjects must have a singular or plural verb. The subject takes the base form of the verb in all but the third person singular to make the subject and verb agree in person. In third person singular you need to add an ''s'' or ''es'' to the base form of the verb to make both subject and verb agree. If you can locate the subject and verb in a sentence, you should not have any difficulty making the two agree.
 
*'''Example:''' The dog jumped into the wagon.
The subject is: '''dog'''
 
The verb is: '''jumped'''
 
 
==Compound Subjects==
 
 
"Compound subjects joined by ''and'' normally require a plural verb" (Butler, et al 144).
*'''Remember:''' "Nouns joined by ''and'' are thought of as a unit or actually refer to the same person or thing, the verb is normally singular" (Butler, et al 145).
 
*'''Example:''' My friend and colleague Sarah has gone on vacation.
 
 
==Verb Preceding the Subject==
 
 
Verbs sometimes come before the subject. This change in order can lead to error in agreement.
 
*'''Example:''' Where are Dan and Bobby going?
 
 
==Intervening Expressions==
 
 
*Verbs are sometimes separated by words that describe the subject. This can make it difficult to make sure that the subject and verb agree. The key is to make sure that the verb agrees with the subject and not with the word in the modifying phrase.
 
*'''Example:''' The evidence that they submitted to the judge was convincing.
The subject is: '''evidence'''
 
The verb is: '''was'''
 
 
 
== ==Work Cited== ==
 
 
*Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell., The Concise Wadsworth Handbook. Instructor's Ed. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005.
 
*[http://www.dianahacker.com/writersref Hacker].
 
*Faigley, Lester. The Penguin Handbook. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2003
 
*Butler, Eugenia, et al., Correct Writing. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Heath and Company, 1995.

Revision as of 23:49, 12 July 2006

Agreement of Subject and Verb

The verb in every independent or dependent clause must agree with its subject in:

  • person
  • number

The three persons are:

  • First person- the speaker
  • Second person- the person spoken to
  • Third person- the person or thing spoken about

The two numbers are:

  • singular- indicating one person or thing
  • plural- indicating more than one person or thing


For the subject and verb to agree in number singular or plural subjects must have a singular or plural verb. The subject takes the base form of the verb in all but the third person singular to make the subject and verb agree in person. In third person singular you need to add an s or es to the base form of the verb to make both subject and verb agree. If you can locate the subject and verb in a sentence, you should not have any difficulty making the two agree.

  • Example: The dog jumped into the wagon.

The subject is: dog

The verb is: jumped


Compound Subjects

"Compound subjects joined by and normally require a plural verb" (Butler, et al 144).

  • Remember: "Nouns joined by and are thought of as a unit or actually refer to the same person or thing, the verb is normally singular" (Butler, et al 145).
  • Example: My friend and colleague Sarah has gone on vacation.


Verb Preceding the Subject

Verbs sometimes come before the subject. This change in order can lead to error in agreement.

  • Example: Where are Dan and Bobby going?


Intervening Expressions

  • Verbs are sometimes separated by words that describe the subject. This can make it difficult to make sure that the subject and verb agree. The key is to make sure that the verb agrees with the subject and not with the word in the modifying phrase.
  • Example: The evidence that they submitted to the judge was convincing.

The subject is: evidence

The verb is: was


==Work Cited==

  • Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell., The Concise Wadsworth Handbook. Instructor's Ed. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005.
  • Faigley, Lester. The Penguin Handbook. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2003
  • Butler, Eugenia, et al., Correct Writing. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Heath and Company, 1995.
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