English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement
Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the simple subject and main verb in complex sentences containing multiple clauses and phrases.
Correct subject-verb agreement errors in sentences with intervening prepositional or appositive phrases.
Apply subject-verb agreement rules to sentences with singular, plural, and context-dependent indefinite pronouns.
Differentiate between singular and plural verb usage for collective nouns based on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals.
Analyze sentences with inverted word order (e.g., questions, sentences beginning with 'Here' or 'There') to ensure correct agreement.
Correctly apply agreement rules to compound subjects joined by coordinating ('and') and correlative ('either/or', 'neither/...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SubjectThe noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb. In complex sentences, this is the 'who' or 'what' the sentence is fundamentally about.In the sentence, 'The protagonist, despite his many flaws, ultimately seeks redemption,' the simple subject is 'protagonist'.
VerbA word that expresses a physical action, a mental action, or a state of being.In 'The author argues for a new perspective,' the verb is 'argues'.
AgreementThe grammatical rule that the form of the verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural). A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.Correct: 'The theme emerges.' (singular subj...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Proximity Rule for Or/Nor
When a compound subject is joined by 'or' or 'nor' (or 'either/or', 'neither/nor'), the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to it.
This rule is essential for correlative conjunctions. Unlike 'and', which usually makes a subject plural, 'or' and 'nor' do not combine the subjects. The verb's form is determined solely by the noun or pronoun physically nearer to it in the sentence.
The Intervening Phrase Bypass
The subject of a sentence is never found within a prepositional phrase or other interrupting phrase.
To find the true subject, mentally (or physically) cross out any prepositional phrases (starting with words like 'of', 'in', 'with...
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Challenging
Identify the sentence containing a subject-verb agreement error in the following excerpt from a student's analytical essay:
'(1) The author's use of recurring motifs is a key element of her narrative style. (2) For example, the image of the broken clock appears in several chapters. (3) These images symbolize the characters' fractured relationship with time. (4) Each of these details contribute to the novel's overarching theme.'
A.Sentence 1
B.Sentence 2
C.Sentence 3
D.Sentence 4
Challenging
Deep within the novel's complex layers of meaning ______ the keys to understanding the protagonist's motivations.
A.lies
B.lie
C.is lying
D.has lain
Challenging
The sentence 'The jury, divided in their opinions, was deadlocked for days' contains an error. Why is the verb 'was' incorrect?
A.The subject 'jury' is always plural and requires the verb 'were.'
B.The phrase 'divided in their opinions' indicates the jury members are acting as individuals, so a plural verb ('were') is needed.
C.The intervening phrase 'in their opinions' contains a plural noun, which makes the verb plural.
D.The word 'days' is plural, so the verb must agree with it.
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