English rules lesson 5

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Slide 1

Subject/Verb Agreement

Part 2

Slide 2

Subjects and verbs must work together. They must agree. A verb that does not end in a single s, es, or ies is used with a plural noun. These pronoun subjects - I, we, you, or they – are also used with the plural verb form.

Slide 3

Examples

Hounds train

Hounds of all varieties train their noses to follow specific scents.

Traps catch

Traps by the river catch raccoons quickly.

Nails make

Nails in a hollow log make a good raccoon trap.

Slide 4

More Examples

We figure

We figure he will catch a raccoon in another day.

They trap

They trap raccoons down in the valley.

Slide 5

Even More Examples

Even though the pronouns I and you are singular you use the plural forms of the verb with them.

I think

I think Billy will catch a raccoon soon.

You bet

You bet your boots the trap will work.

Slide 6

There are many rules about subject verb agreement, but we are going to cover just one more.

Slide 7

Don’t be confused by subjects that come at the end of the sentence.

Slide 8

Wrong

Standing in the back of the store was Billy’s parents. (Turn the sentence around and it will be clearer. Billy’s parents was standing in the back of the room.)

Right

Standing in the back of the store were Billy’s parents.

Slide 9

Wrong

At the end of the coon hunt come the passing out of trophies. (Turn the sentence around and it will be clearer. The passing out of trophies come at the end of the coon hunt.)

Right

At the end of the coon hunt comes the passing out of trophies.

Slide 10

Which is correct?

At the end of the day come the sharing of dinner.

At the end of the day comes the sharing of dinner.

Slide 11

At the end of the day comes the sharing of dinner.

dinner comes

Slide 12

Which is correct?