SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

·  Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

o  Use a singular verb with singular subject.

o  Use a plural verb with a plural subject.

(Think plural subject…think “s” on the end for most plural subjects, but

think plural verb . . . think NO “s” on the end!!! They’re opposite!!)

EX: Mike runs a mile every day.

The team runs a mile for practice.

They run a mile for practice.

Many animals run fast.

·  When a compound subject is joined by “and”, it needs a PLURAL verb.

EX: Melinda and Julie play the guitar.

The boys and the girls learn a lot from their teacher.

·  When a compound subject is joined by “or” or “nor”, the verb needs to agree with the closer subject.

EX: Neither Melinda nor Julie plays the guitar.

Neither Amanda nor her parents play the piano.

Either the guitars or the banjo is out of tune.

Verb Forms of be, have, and do (can be used as main verb or helping verb)

Subject / be / have / do
Singular subjects:
I / am, was / have, had / do, did
You / are, were / have, had / do, did
He, she, it
(or singular noun) / is, was / has, had / does, did
Plural subjects:
We / are, were / have, had / do, did
You / are, were / have, had / do, did
They (or plural noun) / are, were / have, had / do, did