Language Network
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement in Number
Here’s the Idea
Singular and Plural Subjects
Verb Phrases
Doesn’t and Don’t
Why It Matters
Practice and Apply
Here’s the Idea
A verb must agree with its
subject in number.
Number refers to whether a
word is singular or plural.
Here’s the Idea
Singular subjects take singular verbs.
The new museum displays works by
local artists.
SINGULAR
SUBJECT
SINGULAR
VERB
Here’s the Idea
Plural subjects take plural verbs.
Chicago’s art museums display priceless
paintings.
PLURAL
SUBJECT
PLURAL
VERB
Here’s the Idea
Most nouns that end in
s or es are plural.
Most verbs that end
in s are singular.
Here’s the Idea
In a verb phrase, it is the first helping verb
that agrees with the subject.
A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and
one or more helping verbs.
Theresa has collected ceramic figurines.
SINGULAR
HELPING VERB
Here’s the Idea
Friends have admired her interesting collection.
PLURAL HELPING VERB
Here’s the Idea
Two common contractions are doesn’t
and don’t.
Use doesn’t with all singular subjects
except I and you.
Samuel doesn’t use computer clip art.
SINGULAR
VERB
Here’s the Idea
Use don’t with all plural subjects
and with the pronouns I and you.
We don’t like computer clip art.
PLURAL
VERB
I don’t like these pictures.
WITH
PRONOUN I
Why It Matters
Errors in subject-verb agreement can
occur when you revise your work.
If you change a subject from
singular to plural or vice
versa, be sure to change the
verb as well.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb
agrees with its subject.
1. The weavers makes brightly colored
designs.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb
agrees with its subject.
2. Kente weavers creates complex
designs with bright colors.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb
agrees with its subject.
3. The designs doesn’t just provide
visual pleasure.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence so that the verb
agrees with its subject.
4. The Ashanti people wears kente cloth
for special holidays.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement Problems in Sentences
Here’s the Idea
Subjects in Unusual Positions
Predicate Nouns
Prepositional Phrases
Why It Matters
Practice and Apply
Here’s the Idea
Some sentences can be tricky. Watch out for:
• sentences with subjects in
unusual positions
• sentences containing
predicate nouns
• sentences in which prepositional
phrases separate subjects
and verbs
Here’s the Idea
A subject can follow a verb or part of a
verb phrase in
• a sentence beginning with
here or there
• a question
• a sentence in which an
adjective, an adverb, or a
phrase is placed first
Here’s the Idea
Subjects in Unusual Positions
Type of Sentence
Example
Question
Does this music video
have good graphics?
Sentence beginning Here is a DJ with an
with here or there
enjoyable play list.
Sentence beginning Around the nation is
with adverb,
heard the sound.
adjective, or phrase
Here’s the Idea
Here’s How Choosing a correct verb form
• Rephrase the sentence so that the subject
comes before the verb.
• Determine whether the subject is singular
or plural.
• Choose the verb form that agrees with
the subject.
• Add the correct verb to the original sentence.
Here’s the Idea
In a sentence containing a predicate
noun, the verb should agree with the
subject, not the predicate noun.
Nechita’s works have been a
topic of magazine articles.
Here’s the Idea
The subject of a verb is never
found in a prepositional phrase.
The colors of a batik garment indicate where
it came from.
Why It Matters
Writers sometimes place verbs
before subjects to make their
writing more interesting.
When you do this, make sure
that the verbs agree with their
subjects.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting
agreement errors.
5. Does your classmates collect posters?
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting
agreement errors.
6. The bright colors in the poster catches
my eye.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting
agreement errors.
7. One of the best poster artists were
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the sentence, correcting
agreement errors.
8. Has you ever seen Toulouse-Lautrec’s
posters?