Guided Notes: Subject-Verb Agreement

Name: ______Date: ______

Guided Notes: Subject-Verb Agreement Stinnett/English II CP

NUMBER

1. A word that refers to one person, place, thing, or idea is ______in number. A word that refers to more than one is ______in number.

2. In general, ______ending in –s are plural, and ______ending in –s are singular.

EXAMPLES OF NUMBER

SINGULAR

PLURAL

AGREEMENT

3. A ______should agree in number with its ______.

EX: Spike Less is a talented movie director. EX: His films are noteworthy.

INTERVENING PHRASES AND CLAUSES

4. The number of a subject usually is NOT determined by a ______.

EX: The actors in Lee’s films are rehearsing a scene. EX: Lee, not one of the acting coaches, has been advising them.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS Name: ______Date: ______

5. ______pronouns can act as the subject in a sentence.

****Remember that some indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or either depending on the context of the sentence.****

EX: No one knows the answer. EX: Most of the article is interesting.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS (AND)

6. Subjects joined by and generally take a ______.

EX: Peru and Chile are South American countries. EX: Students and teachers report to the auditorium.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS (OR/NOR)

7. Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a ______.

EX: Neither the president nor the vice president is at the press conference.

8. Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a ______.

EX: Either bobcats or wild boars appear in the new documentary.

9. When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject that is ______.

EX: Either pizza or sandwiches are served at the study group. EX: Either sandwiches or pizza is served at the study group.