Structures of English (Ling 3) College of Teacher Education

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology

Trento External Studies Center
Trento, Agusan del Sur

LING 3 – STRUCTURES OF ENGLISH

COURSE LEARNING PACKET (CLP)
(Week 15-16)

Compiled by:
RYAN CHRISTIAN TAGAL – BUSTILLO
Instructor I

Faculty from the College of Teacher Education

Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology

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Lesson 5 Subject-Verb Agreement

Course Intended Learning
Outcomes
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Essential Questions
What are the rules for Subject-Verb Agreement?
This lesson was designed so that students would better understand subjects-verb agreement. They could
Overview explain the rules, identify and correct the errors in subject-verb agreement. Further, this lesson would help
them in constructing sentences using the subject-verb agreement.
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. explain the rules for subject-verb agreement
Learning Targets
b. identify and correct the errors in subject-verb agreement
c. construct sentences using the subject-verb agreement

ACTIVATION OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:

Although you are probably already familiar with basic subject-verb agreement, this chapter begins with a quick review of basic
agreement rules. Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must
also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural. Subject-Verb Agreement is an important part of academic writing as it
unifies a sentence and makes it easier to understand for the readers. Therefore, it is important to ensure that subjects and verbs always agree
with each other.

PRESENTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTS:

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT RULES

Key: subject = yellow, bold; verb = green, underline
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. In addition to the explanations on this page, also see the post on Subject—Verb Agreement.

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1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too.

Example: She writes every day.

Exception: When using the singular "they," use plural verb forms.
Example: The participant expressed satisfaction with their job. They are currently in a managerial role at the organization.

2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Example: They write every day.

Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated than this.

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 members write every day.
Example: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees who left their jobs within 2 years are reflective
of the level of job satisfaction.

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 an in-depth understanding of participants.
Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an important consideration when conducting a doctoral study.

5. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the
phrase following the subject of the sentence.

Example: The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.

Example: The student with all the master’s degrees is very motivated.
Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation include using small groups and clarifying expectations.
Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.

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6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or "nor," use a singular verb.

Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.

7. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of
the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.

Example: The student or the committee members write every day.

Example: The committee members or the student writes every day.

8. The words and phrases "each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody," "somebody,"
"someone," and "no one" are singular and require a singular verb.

Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.

Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.
Example: I will offer a $5 gift card to everybody who participates in the study.
Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.

9. Noncount nouns take a singular verb.

Example: Education is the key to success.

Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.
Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to include in the study.
Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.

10. Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and
take a plural verb.

Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.

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Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the city.
Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.

11. 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.

Example: There is little administrative support.

Example: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.

12. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are "group,"
"team," "committee," "family," and "class."

Example: The group meets every week.

Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.

However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is much less common.
Example: The committee participate in various volunteer activities in their private lives.

APPLICATION OF THE GENERALIZED CONCEPTS

Direction: Underline the subject (or compound subject) and encircle the verb that agrees with it.

Example: Everyone in the telecom focus group (has/have) experienced problems with cell phones

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.

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3. The main source of income for Trinidad (is/are) oil and pitch.
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.
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.

ASSESSMENT:

Direction: Construct 1 sentence in every Subject-Verb Agreement Rules. Underline the Subject and encircle the verb that agrees with it.

1. __________________________________________.
2. __________________________________________.
3. __________________________________________.
4. __________________________________________.
5. __________________________________________.
6. __________________________________________.
7. __________________________________________.
8. __________________________________________.
9. __________________________________________.
10. __________________________________________.
11. __________________________________________.
12. __________________________________________.

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