Unit 6

What Are Our Connections to the Past?

Activity

Number First Person Second Person Third Person
Singular (1) I walk. You walk. He/She/It walks.
Plural (2+) We walk. You walk. They walk.

He and she are singular pronouns, which require the singular form of the verb walks.

They is plural, which requires the plural form of the verb walk.
Other guidelines for subject and verb agreement are as follows:

  • When words come between the subject and the verb, determine the subject of the sentence before you write the verb.

Example: One of these stories is especially funny. (is, not are)

    • One is singular.
    • Of these stories is a phrase; in the phrase, stories is plural. However, the sentence states that only one (story) is funny.
Example: The woman with high-heeled boots taps across the floor.

    • Woman is singular.
    • With high-heeled boots is a phrase; in the phrase, boots is plural. However, the sentence states that only the woman taps across the floor.
  • Compound subjects which are joined by and  take a plural verb unless the parts of the subject mean only one person or are thought of as one thing.

Example: The producer and the director have made all the arrangements.
    • producer + director = two people (compound subject)
    • two people = they
    • The producer and the director (they) have made all the arrangements.

Example: The house and the garage were on fire.
    • house + garage = two items (compound subject)
    • two items = they
    • The house and the garage (they) were on fire.
  • When the parts of a compound subject joined by or or nor  are singular, the verb is usually singular. The sentence refers to "one at a time".
Example: Either Blake or Colton has the tickets.
    • Blake is singular.
    • Colton is singular.
    • Either/or means only one has the tickets.
  • When the parts of a compound subject joined by or  or nor  are plural or the one closest to the verb is plural, a plural verb is used.
Example: Cookies or candy bars are easiest to serve.
    • Cookies is plural. (they)
    • Candy bars is plural. (they)
    • Cookies (they) or candy bars (they) are easiest to serve.

Example: Jason or the Maclean boys are going to shovel the walk.
    • Jason is singular. (he)
    • Maclean boys is plural. (they)
    • Maclean boys is plural and closest to the verb, so the verb must be plural.
  • Each, either, each one, everyone, neither, everybody, anyone, anybody, somebody, nobody, someone, and no one are singular; therefore, they use singular verbs.
Example: Each of the girls is qualified for the badminton prize. (Each one is qualified...)
Example: Everybody sings soprano for that measure. (Every single body or Every person sings...)
Example: Someone looks guilty. ( One individual person looks...)

Example: No one drinks milk. (No one individual drinks...)

  • When a phrase comes between the subject and verb, the verb must agree with the subject and not with the noun or pronoun in the phrase.
Example: The birthday boy, along with his friends, is anxious for the party to start.

    • Try eliminating the phrase and use the verb that makes sense.