Subject-Verb Agreement Template

• ​Subject and verb only need to agree in number

  • ​Single subjects require single nouns

  • ​Plural subjects require a single nouns

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​​Collective nouns

• ​Noun that denotes a group of individuals

• ​Can be singular or plural

• Look at the if the group is working as a whole (singular)

• ​Or if the group is divided (plural)

​Singular Collective Example:

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​The hockey team is at the rink.

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Mr. Brown's class enjoys science

Plural Collective Example​:

A number of people are interested in running for governor.

​​Indefinite Pronouns

• Pronouns refer to persons or things that have not been specified

• Generally single; can be plural

• ​Pay attention to pronouns that feel plural but are actually singular

​​Compound Subjects:

• ​Subject in which two nouns are joined by the word "and"

• ​The verb is ALWAYS plural

Or or Nor

• ​Take the verb tense that agrees with the last subject

Or or Nor Examples:​

The brother or the sisters are going

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The sisters or the brother is going

​Compound Subject Example:

The brother and the sister are going

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• Keep the same tense

  • ​Sometimes the issue isn't about SV agreement but the test present answers to make you think it is

• Determine the rule being tested

  • ​Sometimes answers will change punctuation. Ask yourself is this necessary.

• ​Eliminate unecceasry information

  • ​Isolating the subject helps you determine what verb to use

• Use process of elimination

  • ​Cross out answers you know are wrong

PRACTICE TIME

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