12/13/2017
: Do you ever wonder why a sentence just doesn't sound right? Perhaps, your subject and your verb do not agree. A singular subject needs a singular verb and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Sounds easy enough, but so many students forget this, as it sounds right in your own head at first. For example: The girl is very pretty. (single). The boy and his friends are going to the movies (plural). A contraction form, such as does not should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. As with so many grammar rules, there are exceptions. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used. e.g.. He doesn't like it. or They don't like it.Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.e.g.The cheer leader, as well as her team, is anxious. Surprisingly, the words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb. e.g. Each of the drinks is cold. Some nouns appear to be plural, but are in fact single nouns. e.g. The news is on at 6pm. The formula to subject/verb agreement is to understand if your subject is singular (is it speaking about one thing) or plural (or is the subject a collection of things/people) and to use a suitable verb. Singular subject= singular verb and plural subject= plural verb.