SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT & PLACEMENT

It is important that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in person and number. If the subject is singular then the verb is also usually singular. If the subject is plural then the verb is also usually plural (although some exceptions do exist). The professional (singular) demonstrates (singular) the idea well. The professionals (plural) demonstrate (plural) the idea well. Quite often, the verb is separated from the subject, which makes them very difficult to identify. Many times the subject and the verb will be separated by a prepositional phrase, which has no effect on the verb. The danger (singular subject) with many products is (singular verb) that they harm children. Several polls (plural subject) on this particular problem have been taken (plural verb). The war (singular subject) between the opposing forces has caused (singular verb) many people to flee the city. The answers (plural subject) to these various questions are (plural verb) final. Sometimes, other phrases are used to separate the subject from the verb besides prepositional phrases. These phrases do not affect the verb. Here are some examples: accompanied by, along with, together with, as well as

Angelina Jolie (singular subject), together with her husband Brad Pitt, is arriving (singular verb) to the fund raiser. However, if the conjunction and is used instead of the phrase then the verb would be plural. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (plural subject) are arriving (plural verb) to the fund raiser.

Exercise 14: Subject/Verb Agreement

Underline the correct form of the verb in parentheses in the following sentences. 1. The daughter of my best friend (has/have) won the spelling competition. 2. The geese that fly south for the winter (is/are) nesting around the lake. 3. The mayor, together with his wife, (is/are) attending the inaugural ball. 4. John and his wife Mary will (has/have) been married seven year tomorrow. 5. Police cars, which are old and outdated, (is/are) being auctioned off today. 6. Earthquakes around the ring of fire (has/have) been more frequent lately. 7. Joan of Arc, who led many Frenchmen in revolution, (was/were) the subject of my report. 8. The jury, which has been deliberating the Johnson trial, (has/have) been ordered to make a decision soon. 9. The grandson of the late Mr. Hopkins (has/have) inherited the billionaires estate. 10. Michele, along with Sam and Justin, (is/are) coming for my birthday party.