Page 62 - Basic English Grammar Student Textbook short
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Study Section 12:  Subject-Verb Agreement





             12.1 Connect

                       Nouns are singular, meaning only one thing is indicated, or plural, meaning there is more than one
                       person or item referenced.  Verbs also have a singular and plural type.  The important thing in a
                       sentence is that if you have a singular noun, you must also have a singular verb to go along with it.
                       You cannot mix a singular noun with a plural verb, and visa versa.  So, when thinking about a verb
                       to connect to a noun, play close attention to the number of the noun.

             12.2 Subject – Verb Agreement in Number


                      The subject is always a noun or pronoun that tells who or what the sentence is about. The verb of a
                      sentence must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural).
                      Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs – Verbs with an “s”

                      Singular subjects take singular verbs.  Most singular subjects do not end in s, but they require
            singular verbs, which do end in s.   Remember:  Singular subjects take a verb with an s.  [Exception:  the
            pronouns I and you.]
            The boy works hard. (singular)

            NOTE:  Be aware that there are some singular nouns that end in s.  For example:  mathematics.

            Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs – Verbs with no “s”
            Plural subjects take plural verbs.  Most plural subjects end in s, and they require a plural verb, which do not end
            in s. Verbs that end in s are singular.
            Examples:
               1.  The boys work hard. (plural)
               2.  The women work hard. (plural; subject is women, an irregular plural noun)


                Practice 12A:  Type in the correct verb that matches the case of the noun.
                1. The workers  was  /  were  in the field.
                2. The worker  was  /  were  in the field.
            3.   The child  has  /  have   a broken shoelace.
            4.   The children   has  /  have   entered the classroom.
            5.   People  was   /   were  afraid to enter the Promised Land.
            Compound Subjects Joined by And

            Compound subjects joined by and are plural and take a plural verb. (verb with no s)
            Examples:
               1.  Jack and Jill are here today.
               2.  Jack is here today; Jill is here today. Therefore, Jack and Jill are both here today.






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