Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must agree in number with its subject.
EXAMPLE: The dog is howling. The cats are meowing.
Rules to Remember:
1. Collective Nouns use a singular verb.
EXAMPLE: The team was out of the playoffs.
2. Indefinite Pronouns usually use a singular verb.
EXAMPLE: Everyone is cheering for you.
3. Compound Subjects connected by and use a plural verb.
EXAMPLE: Linda and Marie are going shopping.
4. Compound Subjects connected by or or nor- make the verb agree with the part closest to it.
EXAMPLE: Either your social life or your marks are going to suffer.
EXAMPLE: The dog is howling. The cats are meowing.
Rules to Remember:
1. Collective Nouns use a singular verb.
EXAMPLE: The team was out of the playoffs.
2. Indefinite Pronouns usually use a singular verb.
EXAMPLE: Everyone is cheering for you.
3. Compound Subjects connected by and use a plural verb.
EXAMPLE: Linda and Marie are going shopping.
4. Compound Subjects connected by or or nor- make the verb agree with the part closest to it.
EXAMPLE: Either your social life or your marks are going to suffer.
EXERCISES:
Select the correct verb form.
1. Some of my credit cards (has, have) fallen out of my wallet.
2. Everyone who participated on school sports teams last year (is are) to report to the office for their team photo.
3. The committee organizing Trivia night (is are) meeting tomorrow at lunch.
4. Bon Jovi and Kenny Chesney (is are) two of my favourite singers.
5. All of my family (live lives) in Simcoe.
6. Salsa and tortilla chips (has have) replaced milk and cookies as my favourite snack.
1. Some of my credit cards (has, have) fallen out of my wallet.
2. Everyone who participated on school sports teams last year (is are) to report to the office for their team photo.
3. The committee organizing Trivia night (is are) meeting tomorrow at lunch.
4. Bon Jovi and Kenny Chesney (is are) two of my favourite singers.
5. All of my family (live lives) in Simcoe.
6. Salsa and tortilla chips (has have) replaced milk and cookies as my favourite snack.