Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement

Learning Objectives Identify the simple subject and main verb in complex sentences containing subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases. Correct subject-verb agreement errors involving compound subjects joined by 'and,' 'or,' or 'nor.' Apply subject-verb agreement rules for singular, plural, and variable indefinite pronouns. Ensure correct subject-verb agreement with collective nouns, depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals. Correct agreement errors in sentences with inverted word order, such as questions or sentences beginning with 'here' or 'there.' Analyze and revise their own research-based writing to eliminate subject-verb agreement errors, enhancing clarity and credibility. Have you ev...

TermDefinitionExample SubjectThe noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb. To find it, ask 'Who or what is doing the action?'In 'The protagonist in the novel *grapples* with her identity,' the simple subject is 'protagonist,' not 'novel.' VerbA word that expresses an action (e.g., analyze, write) or a state of being (e.g., is, are, seems).The research team *presents* its findings. (Action) The findings *are* significant. (State of being) AgreementThe grammatical principle that the subject and its verb must match in number. A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.One author *writes* (singular). Many authors *write* (plural). Compound SubjectTwo or m...

The Proximity Rule for 'Or' and 'Nor' When a compound subject is joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to it. Use this rule to decide between a singular or plural verb when you have a mixed compound subject (one singular, one plural). The verb is only influenced by the noun or pronoun right before it. The Interrupting Phrase Rule The verb agrees with its subject, not with a noun or pronoun in a prepositional phrase or other phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. This is the most common source of errors. To avoid it, mentally (or physically) cross out the interrupting phrases to clearly see the simple subject and its corresponding verb. The Inverted Sentence Rule In sentences be...