something about verbs

Tell me...

• Singular

• Plural

SUBJECT CAN BE:

In a sentence, the subject must agree with the verb in terms of number

A grammar concept

Subject-verb agreement:

Singular and Plural Subjects

• students

• teachers

• tomatoes

• boxes

PLURAL FORM

• student

• ​teacher

• tomato

• box

SINGULAR FORM

Singular and Plural Subjects (take note)

• men

• women

• wives

• knives

• feet

PLURAL FORM

• man

• woman

• wife

• knife

• foot

SINGULAR FORM

Ready?

(20 seconds)

Good job!

(Did you do well?)

• Singular

• Plural

SUBJECT CAN BE:

In a sentence, the subject must agree with the verb in terms of number

A grammar concept

Subject-verb agreement:

Singular subject

takes a SINGULAR VERB

Plural subject

takes a PLURAL VERB

• Maria (jump / jumps) so high.

• They (do / does) the homework at the library.

TRY THIS:

The cat runs.

The students listen to the teacher.

The children play outside.

You are beautiful.

Example:

Subject-verb agreement:

Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Ready?

(20 seconds)

Good job!

(Did you do well?)

• The cat and the dog run.

• Henry and James are friends.

• The books and computer are in the storage room.

EXAMPLE:

Compound subjects have two or more subjects, therefore plural verbs must be used.

Take note:

Subject-verb agreement:

Compound subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb

• Neither the cat nor the dog is hungry.

• Either Karen or her friends are going to the party.

EXAMPLE:

Always look which is the nearest to the verb.

Take note:

Subject-verb agreement:

When a singular subject is joined by "or" or "nor" with another subject, the verb agrees with the closer subject. (either-or vs. neither-nor)

• The team are celebrating at the party.

• My family talk with each other.

PLURAL:

• The team plays so well.

• My family eats dinner.

SINGULAR:

Subject-verb agreement:

When a collective noun (such as "team" or "family") is the subject, the verb can be either singular or plural.

• Everyone is listening to the teacher.

• Something is strange in this picture.

• No one is doing that task.

example:

Subject-verb agreement:

Indefinite pronouns are always singular, and require a singular verb.

Any question?

(It's now or never.)

Ready?

(20 seconds)

How did you do?

Why is it important to learn about Subject-Verb Agreement?

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