Correct errors with subjectverb agreement

Learning Objectives Identify the subject and verb in a given sentence. Determine whether a subject is singular or plural. Apply the basic rule of subject-verb agreement to ensure subjects and verbs match in number. Recognize and correct subject-verb agreement errors caused by intervening phrases. Correctly match verbs with indefinite pronouns and compound subjects. Revise their own and peers' writing to eliminate subject-verb agreement errors. Explain the rationale behind their subject-verb agreement corrections. Ever notice how some sentences just sound 'off' even if you can't quite pinpoint why? 🤔 Often, it's because the subject and verb aren't playing nicely together! In this lesson, you'll become a detective, learning to spot and fi...

TermDefinitionExample SubjectThe noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb.The *students* study diligently. (Students is the subject) VerbA word that describes an action, state, or occurrence.The students *study* diligently. (Study is the verb) AgreementWhen the subject and verb in a sentence match in number (both singular or both plural).The dog *barks*. (Singular subject, singular verb) SingularRefers to one person, place, thing, or idea.A *cat* (singular subject) *sleeps* (singular verb). PluralRefers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.The *cats* (plural subject) *sleep* (plural verb). Intervening PhraseA group of words that comes between the subject and the verb, often starting with a preposition, and does not affect the subject-verb...

The Basic Rule: Singular Subjects, Singular Verbs; Plural Subjects, Plural Verbs If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This is the fundamental principle. Singular verbs often end in '-s' in the present tense (e.g., 'he runs'), while plural verbs do not (e.g., 'they run'). Ignoring Intervening Phrases Phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject. Always identify the true subject of the sentence first. Words in prepositional phrases (like 'of the books,' 'with her friends') are never the subject. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, either, neither, every...