Grammar Review Packet 6 Subject Verb Agreement

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Grammar Review Packet 6 (December 2012; ASC Eng/Read) Page 1

GRAMMAR REVIEW PACKET 6
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

All nouns and pronouns have number. They are singular in number if they refer to one thing. They are
plural in number if they refer to more than one thing.

A. When a word refers to one person or thing, it is singular in number. When a word refers to more
than one, it is plural in number.

Examples: hat, I, sky, principle (singular)
hats, we, skies, principles (plural)

B. A verb agrees with its subject in number.

Two words agree when they have the same number. The number of the verb must always agree
with the number of its subject.

Examples: He fights. (singular subject and singular verb)
Animals fight. (plural subject and plural verb)
I. Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Examples: The lightning fills the sky.
(The verb fills is singular to agree with the singular subject lightning.)

Linda begins her vacation today.
(The verb begins is singular to agree with the singular subject Linda.)

II. Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Examples: Cheetahs run faster than most other animals.
(The verb run is plural to agree with the plural subject cheetahs.)

New families move into our neighborhood frequently.
(The verb move is plural to agree with the plural subject families.)

*** Notice that an -s ending is often a sign of the singular in the verb.

Examples: He screams. Everyone sings.

NOTE - When a sentence contains a verb phrase, it is the helping verb that agrees with the subject.

Examples: The motor is running.
The motors are running.

Examples: The girl has been sick.
The girls have been sick.


Hints for Subject-Verb Agreement

I. (A) Cross out all prepositional phrases.

Examples: Every one of the students try/tries hard.
The windows in the house stick/sticks easily.

(B) Cross out word groups within commas.

Examples: The doctor, as well as the nurses, work/works hard.
The girls, along with their dogs, walk/walks daily.

II. Find the subject: (Remember, the subject cannot be one of the words that you crossed out in
number I.)
subject
Examples: Every [one] of the students work/works hard.
subject
The [girls], along with their dogs, walk/walks daily.
subject
Either the vase or the [dish] was/were a gift.
III. Select the verb:

(A) If the subject is singular, choose the verb ending in s.

Examples: Every one of the students try/tries hard.
The doctor, as well as the nurses, work/works hard.

(B) If the subject is plural, choose the verb ending without the s.

Examples: The windows in the house stick/sticks easily.
The girls, along with their dogs, walk/walks daily.

(C) If two subjects are joined by or or by nor, the verb usually agrees with the nearer subject.

Examples: Either the vase or the dish was/were a gift.

Neither the teacher nor his students was/were present.

Watch out especially
for prepositional
phrases beginning
with of or in.

Singular subject, so
use verb with s
Plural subject, so
use verb without s
Singular subject, so
use verb with s
Plural subject, so
use verb without s
Word groups between
commas often begin with:
as well as
with
along with
in addition to
including


Exercise:

1. One of the students ( is/are ) studying algebra.

2. The exhibit of the artists paintings ( was/were ) very interesting.

3. Mrs. Andrews, along with Mr. Stone, ( do/does ) volunteer work.

4. The applications for the job ( is/are ) on the desk.

5. Every one of the girls ( do/does ) her shorthand homework.

6. Either Julia or her friends ( is/are ) planning to attend.

7. Neither Michelle nor Paul ( has/have ) registered yet.

8. Neither the students nor the instructor ( want/wants ) to miss class.

9. The women, as well as the men ( sing/sings ) beautifully.

10. The dictator, accompanied by his generals, ( was/were ) at the meeting.

V. (A) If a relative pronoun (WHO, WHOM, WHICH, THAT, WHOSE) refers to only one,
use a singular verb.

Examples: It is the only one of the stores that has / have shoes.

This is the only one of the trees that bloom / blooms.

(B) If a relative pronoun refers to a plural noun, use a plural verb.

Examples: She is one of the best students who attend / attends.

He is one of those persons who never grow / grows up.

Example B:
The prepositional phrase
cannot be omitted; use the
plural verb.


SINGULAR AND PLURAL
SUBJECTS AND VERBS
Exercise 1: If a word is singular, write S before it. If it is plural, write P.
_____ 1. morning _____ 6. mosquitoes
_____ 2. calves _____ 7. actress
_____ 3. women _____ 8 cave
_____ 4. she _____ 9. we
_____ 5. pencils _____ 10. leaves

Exercise 2: The subjects and verbs that follow are in agreement. If an item is singular, write S before it.
If it is plural, write P.
_____ 1. people think _____ 6. night arrives
_____ 2. wind howls _____ 7. gates open
_____ 3. owls hoot _____ 8. she tries
_____ 4. we practice _____ 9. actor rehearses
_____ 5. days pass _____ 10. girls study

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

Exercise: In each of the following sentences, two verbs are written in parentheses. First locate and
underline the subject. Then circle the one that agrees with the subject.

Example: Cherry trees (lines, line ) the Potomac.

1. An electric computer (solves, solve) difficult problems quickly.

2. Many colleges (has, have) computers.

3. Over one hundred thousand forest fires (is, are) reported each year.

4. Sometimes lightning (causes, cause) fires.

5. Careless people (is, are) often at fault.

6. Forest rangers (says, say) that we can prevent forest fires.

7. Some Polynesian divers (descends, descend) almost forty-five feet without special equipment.

8. The owl's eyes (makes, make) it look wise.


9. Actually, the owl (sees, see) poorly during the day.

10. Every year scientists (discovers, discover) new drugs to fight diseases.

PROBLEMS IN AGREEMENT

In the previous exercise, it was easy to make the subjects and verbs agree because the verbs followed their
subjects closely and the number of the subject was clear. However, a phrase may come between the subject
and verb, creating an agreement problem, or the subject may be a pronoun, the number of which is hard to
determine.

A. Phrases between subject and verb

Sometimes a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and verb in a sentence.

Remember - the subject is not in the prepositional phrase. Therefore, put ( ) around the prepositional
phrase. Then locate the subject and agree the verb with the subject.

Examples: The special effects (in the movie) were particularly original.
The lights (in the stadium) have been dimmed.

Exercise: Put ( ) around prepositional phrases. Underline subject and circle the correct verb.

1. The girls from John Carroll (is, are) arriving early for class.

2. The heads of state (arrive, arrives) for the conference.

3. The bag of golf balls (is, are) for practice.

4. The boxes of chalk (is, are) at the chalkboard.

5. A shipment of clothing (is, are) expected soon.
6. A little practice in the evenings (help, helps) us play better.
7. The little baby with the dimples (slide, slides) down the bank.
8. The problems with Bobby (has, have) to be solved.
9. A package from my daughters (was, were) left on the doorstep.
10. The courses in college (require, requires) a lot of studying.

Sometimes phrases other than prepositional ones follow the subject. Usually they are set off by commas
and are introduced by words and phrases like including, with, in addition to, together with, as well as, or accompanied
by. The subject cannot be found in any of these phrases. Therefore, cross out any phrase set off by
commas. Then locate the subject and agree the verb with the subject.

Examples: Mother, along with Aunt Sue, (has, have) left for Canada.
The successful candidate, including two of her aides, (has, have) entered the auditorium.


FOR ALL REMAINING EXERCISES IN THIS PACKET FOLLOW THESE BASIC DIRECTIONS:

1) Cross out phrases set off by commas.
2) Put parentheses around prepositional phrases.
3) Locate and underline subject. (Use substitution method explained on Page 2.)
4) Circle the correct verb.
Exercise: Follow the basic directions.

1. Laura, together with Jesse, (sing, sings) the alto part.

2. The girls, as well as Tom, (hum, hums) quietly.

3. Mr. Michaels, with his two sons, always (win, wins) the trophy.

4. The estate, including the paintings, (was, were) sold.

5. Relaxation, along with good food, (has, have) improved her health.

6. The agents, with their co-workers, (was, were) checking the story.

7. Sam, in addition to his brothers, (sleep, sleeps) in this tent.

8. The hunters, with their two guides, (like, likes) to stalk game.

9. Arteries, on the other hand, (carries, carry) the blood away.

10. The heart, along with the 100,000 miles of arteries and veins, (supplies, supply) the oxygen needed by all
parts of the body.

B. Compound Subjects

A compound subject, you will recall, consists of two or more connected subjects having the same verb.
When two subjects are connected by and, even if they are both singular, they are followed by a plural verb.

Subjects joined by and take a plural verb.

Hint: If the subject is plural, substitute the pronoun they for the plural subject.
they
Examples: A dictionary and a one-volume encyclopedia make a good beginning for a reference
library.
they
Mr. Duffy and his daughter have gone fishing.

Exception: A compound subject that refers to a single person or to two or more things considered
as a unit (one thing) takes a singular verb.

Examples: Gin and tonic is a popular drink.. (Gin and tonic is considered one drink.)
A mother and homemaker has a challenging job. (One person is meant.)
Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish. (Macaroni and cheese is one dish.)



1. (Is, Are) New York and Chicago the two largest cities in the United States?

2. Sleet and some snow (is, are) predicted for tomorrow.

3. The dogs in the pound and their owners (was, were) reunited.

4. New words and new meanings for old words (is, are) included.

5. Your fingernail and a piece of glass (is, are) two means for testing hardness in minerals.

6. Both talc and gypsum (shows, show) a fingernail scratch.

7. The president with his wife and the vice president (has, have) just left for the summit.

8. The opossum and the kangaroo (is, are) members of the same family of mammals.

9. Rattlesnakes, copperheads, coral snakes, and cottonmouths (is, are) four kinds of poisonous snakes
found in the United States.

10. In large cities, subways and cabs (is, are) two popular means of transportation.

C. Subjects connected by or or nor

The verb agrees with the subject closer to it.

Hint: Draw a straight line after or or nor, ignoring the words before the line. Begin reading the sentence
after this line.

Examples: The chief geologists or their assistant is due to arrive tonight.

Neither a rabbit nor raccoons do that kind of damage in a garden.

Exercise 1: Follow the basic directions. Also use the straight line to separate the or, nor subjects.

1. Either a loan or a scholarship (is, are) available to selected applicants.

2. A desk or a bookcase (goes, go) into that corner.

3. Neither sheets nor towels (is, are) furnished at camp.

4. (Has, Have) the books or other supplies come?

5. A vocabulary notebook or vocabulary flashcards (is, are) helpful for review.

6. Either the clock on the town hall or my watch (is, are) wrong.


7. Another boy or girl (takes, take) the part of the narrator.

8. A map or a guidebook (has, have) been my constant companion in this city.

9. Enthusiasm for the proposal or excitement about it (is, are) not the same as solid support.

10. A course in ceramics or a course in woodworking (is, are) recommended.

D. Indefinite Pronouns

The following common words are singular: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody,
anyone, anybody, someone, somebody.

Examples: Anyone (without tickets) is asked to see Mrs. Harris.
Each (of the newcomers) was welcomed (to the city.)
No one understands a person who mumbles.

Exercise 1: Follow the basic directions.

1. Each of the apples (was, were) ripe.

2. No one except Mary and Lettie (was, were) excited.

3. Each (try, tries) to win the game.

4. Neither of them (walk, walks) to school.

5. Somebody (is, are) going to be surprised!

6. Everybody on the team (show, shows) outstanding ability.

7. Why (hasnt, havent) someone given us the signal?

8. Either of the quarterbacks (is, are) going to be the new captain.

9. (Do, Does) everyone in the band play well?

10. Of all my friends, only one (has, have) written to me.

The following common words are plural: both, few, many, several.

Examples: Few (of my neighbors) have parakeets.
Many (of them) keep dogs as pets.


Exercise 2: Follow the basic directions. Notice that both singular and plural pronouns are tested.

1. Many of our group (has, have) had flu shots.

2. Everyone in the surrounding towns (was, were) warned about the epidemic.

3. Of the new cases, few (is, are) serious.

4. Neither of those paths (leads, lead) home.

5. Each of the stores (gives, give) gifts to our graduates.

6. Several in the group (doubts, doubt) the existence of intelligent life on other planets.

7. (Has, Have) either of you seen an ice hockey game?

8. In the corner (stands, stand) one of the suspects.

9. Many of the fans of football (think, thinks) about little else during the football season.

10. Both of the coaches of the varsity team (works, work) with the students every afternoon.

The following common words are either singular or plural based on context: all, any, more, most, some.

Examples: Most (of my neighbors) have parakeets.
Most (of the food) was good

All (of the students) are here.
All (of the newspaper) was soaked.

Exercise 3: Follow the basic directions. Notice that both singular and plural pronouns are tested.

1. All of the sopranos (sing, sings) the solo part in the operetta.

2. All of the movie (was, were) entertaining.

3. Most of the test (is, are) hard.

4. Most of the questions (is, are) hard.

5. Some of the books (is, are) inspiring.

6. Some of the information (is, are) unreliable.

7. I dont think any of the students (is, are) ready for the test.

8. She is wondering if any of the pie (is, are) left.


9. More of the house (needs, need) to be painted.

10. More of the students (is, are) coming tomorrow.

Special Problems in Agreement

There are a few other constructions that may pose special problems in agreement of subject and verb. This
section will cover some of these.

A. Collective Nouns

Some nouns that are singular in form name a group of people or things: class, company, family, team,
group, flock, team, for example. These nouns are called collective nouns. A collective noun is singular
when it refers to the group as a whole. It is plural when it represents or refers to the individuals in the
group.

Examples: The jury was dismissed by the judge.
The faculty has decided to have a science table in the room.

The jury disagree on the verdict.
The faculty are still planning their curriculums.


1. The group (was, were) going on a trip.

2. That flock of geese (make, makes) a beautiful pattern in the sky.

3. The team (is, are) celebrating its victory.

4. In July, the committee (make, makes) their decision about the location of the August picnic.

5. In the jungle, the herd often (stampede, stampedes).

6. After the chapter on research methods, the class (start, starts) their research papers.

7. Every summer the class (take, takes) many field trips.

8. The panel (has, have) differing opinions on that topic.

9. (Is, Are) the group in charge of refreshments here yet?

10. The company (vote, votes) for a new president next month.


B. Sentences beginning with HERE, THERE, or WHERE

When the subject follows the verb, as in sentences beginning with there, here, or where, be careful to locate
the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with it.

Introductory words, such as here, there, and where are never subjects of sentences. In these sentences, the
subject usually follows the verb.

Example: Here (come, comes) Stephanie and her brother.


1. Here on your desk (is, are) the reports for your consideration.

2. Where (has, have) the dance been held other years?

3. There (is, are) four of us going to the fair.

4. There (has, have) been rumors of a strike.

5. Here in this room (is, are) the best paintings.

6. There (come, comes) the team.

7. Here (is, are) one of the five members of the club.

8. Here in class (is, are) the time to learn.

9. There in the hammock (lie, lies) Carl and his dog.

10. There (is, are) the senator and the congressman on the steps of the Capitol.

C. Words Stating Amount

Some words that are plural in form may be singular in meaning if they mean an amount (or unit) of
something.

Examples: Thirty-five cents is enough for lunch today. (Although thirty-five cents is plural in form,
it means a single amount of money. It takes a singular verb, is.)

Two weeks never seems long enough for vacation. (Although two weeks is plural, it is
thought of here as a single unit of time. It takes a singular verb, seems.)


1. Two cups of flour (seems, seem) too much for that recipe.

2. Three days (was, were) all the time needed for the tour.


3. Two hours of homework in one subject (is, are) unfair.

4. Three weeks of rehearsal time usually (proves, prove) to be suffice

5. Fifty cents (is, are) more than enough for your allowance.

D. Titles, organizations, or countries

A title, organization, or country, even when plural in form, usually takes a singular verb.

Example: Murders in the Rue Morgue is an intriguing mystery.


1. "The Seven Sisters" (is, are) a story about a New England family.

2. Morgan and Company (advertises, advertise) beach bags for a dollar.

3. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (is, are) holding its convention in Chicago this year.

4. The Women (was, were) written by Clare Boothe Luce.

5. Wales (has, have) a beautiful countryside.

E. Dont and Doesnt

The words dont and doesnt (contractions of do not and does not) must, like all other verbs, agree with
their subjects. Mistakes are often made with these forms.

HINT: To avoid mistakes, use do and does (take off the nt). Remember the singular verb ends is s.

Examples: Lena doesnt exercise enough. (Lena does exercise enough.)
Those answers dont make sense. (Those answers do make sense.)

Exercise: Follow the basic directions, and use the do/does hint.

1. The girl (don't, doesn't) understand the problem.
2. (Don't, Doesn't) she want the prize?
3. The lettuce (don't, doesn't) look fresh.
4. That school (don't, doesn't) have a stage.
5. It (don't, doesn't) matter at all.
6. He (don't, doesn't) see the rainbow.


7. The boxer and the poodle (don't, doesn't) get along.

8. The curtains in the room (don't, doesn't) match the color of the walls.

9. Mary (don't, doesn't) need to go with me.

10. This bar of candy (don't, doesn't) taste good.

F. Plural-looking nouns
A few nouns, though plural in form, take a singular verb.

Examples: Mathematics seems easy this year.
Mumps is certainly an uncomfortable disease.
The news was not good.


1. Economics (is, are) taught by Professor Gray.

2. The news on the radio (was, were) encouraging.

3. Ethics (is, are) a code of values.

4. Politics (appeal, appeals) to some people.

5. Civics (was, were) my dad's best subject.

6. Measles (is, are) very contagious.

7. Social Studies 101 (has, have) always been an interesting course.

8. Aerobics (is, are) a fun activity for most youngsters.

9. Gymnastics often (require, requires) the use of special apparatus.

10. Acrobatics (involve, involves) skills in agility and balance.

G. Nouns ending in -ing

Occasionally the -ing form of the verb can be used as a noun and, therefore, as the subject of a sentence.
This -ing subject takes a singular verb.

Examples: Learning to drive is an exciting experience.
Building wooden tables was my dad's favorite hobby.


1. Slicing tomatoes (is, are) messy.


2. Every semester, studying for final exams (cause, causes) stress.

3. Riding the rapids in Colorado (provide, provides) adventure.

4. Mowing lawns (furnish, furnishes) additional income for youngsters.

5. Shopping for school clothes often (test, tests) a mother's patience.

H. I and you

I and you take the plural form of the verb. The only exception to this rule is the singular verb am which is
used exclusively with the pronoun I.
Examples: I am going to school.
You are going to school.

1. (Have, Has) you seen Mrs. Smith?

2. I (is, am) leaving for my trip to Ohio on Monday.

3. (Do, Does) you want to go to the mall tomorrow?

4. I (know, knows) that you (has, have) been doing a lot of work.

5. During the night I usually (hear, hears) strange noises.

REVIEW SECTION

In each of the review exercises, follow the basic directions and use any of the hints that apply.

EXERCISE 1:

1. The citizens of this town (demand, demands) police protection.

2. Glenville's Glee Club always (give, gives) a fine concert.

3. Either Kathy or Dorothy (is, are) going.

4. Both Ruth and I (go, goes) to bed early.

5. The man, along with the two women, (was, were) delayed.

6. We (was, were) passed by six cars.

7. Few of the students (live, lives) in the dormitory.


8. The ice cream (melt, melts) at room temperature.

9. No one (has, have) stolen my secret ideas!

10. The first baseman and the catcher (has, have) made many errors.

11. Mrs. Laird (speak, speaks) with authority.

12. The guitar, accompanied by the bass viol, (play, plays) the tune.

13. Joe and his brother always (drink, drinks) too fast.

14. Thelma, as well as her sister, (is, are) good at sports.

15. Neither of my parents (is, are) home tonight.

16. The captain of the two teams (is, are) Dan.

17. Where (do, does) the Chester family live?

18. I (see, sees) your uncle and cousin coming down the street.

EXERCISE 2:

1. Someone (has, have) to do the work.

2. Steve, along with Jim and Cindy, (was, were) there.

3. Where (is, are) you going?

4. There (go, goes) Emily and Claire.

5. Each of the members (has, have) contributed.

6. Ten dollars (is, are) not much money.

7. The set of rules (control, controls) the game.

8. Neither the boss nor her assistant (was, were) present.

9. Here (is, are) an old and famous landmark.

10. Ralph, along with his father, (is, are) attending the game.

11. One often (ask, asks) for help from others.

12. Where (has, have) you and Rachel worked during the summer?


13. The leader of the choir (sing, sings) tenor.

14. The helpers, as well as the leader, (has, have) to work well.

15. Everyone (hope, hopes) to find a special friend.

16. A sign of the times (is, are) the fashion in clothes.

17. There (is, are) opportunities for all.

18. Neither my sisters nor I (expect, expects) to graduate in June.

EXERCISE 3:

1. Unfortunately, my mother (doesn't, don't) get a vacation this year.

2. Many of the people in her shop (gets, get) only a few days.

3. The safety commissioner or the radio announcer (has, have) suggestions for driving carefully on holidays.

4. Each of us (knows, know) how to avoid accidents.

5. Our car (doesn't, don't) have any antifreeze yet.

6. There (is, are) a briefcase, a laptop, and a tape recorder in the office.

7. Several names of places in our country (comes, come) from Spanish words.

8. Five hours (is, are) needed to fly across the Atlantic.

9. Anyone on the tennis courts today (is, are) liable to get a sunburn.

10. The architects (wasn't, weren't) sure what kind of building to plan for the new hotel.

11. The Knights of Columbus (meets, meet) every Thursday evening.

12. One of the wheels (wasn't, weren't) functioning properly.

13. Every one of the girls (do, does) her homework.

14. Classifying students (is, are) a tedious job for a guidance counselor.

15. (Is, Are) there enough copies of the music to go around?

16. It (doesn't, don't) look like a snowman.

17. Economics (is, are) a complex but fascinating subject.
18. Either the leader or his followers (doesn't, don't) understand the instructions.

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Grammar Review Packet 6 (December 2012; ASC Eng/Read) Page 1

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