Subject-Verb

Agreement
Grammar 5
 Question 1
We ______ a family road trip to

Florida every summer.

take takes
 Answer
We ______ a family road trip to

Florida every summer.

take takes
 Rule
For plural subjects, we use the base
form of the verb (without adding "s"
at the end for present tense).
 Question 2
The actor __________ confidently

across the stage with a smile on his

face.

walk walks
 Answer

The actor __________ confidently across

the stage with a smile on his face.

walk walks
 Rule
For singular subjects in the present
tense, we add an "s" to the base form
of most verbs to maintain subject-verb
agreement.
 Question 3
My friends in the next room

frequently __________ me with their

loud laughter.

distract distracts
 Answer
My friends in the next room frequently

__________ me with their loud laughter.

distract distracts
 Rule
A plural subject in present
tense takes the base form of
the verb (without "s").
 Question 4
Tom and Sarah __________ the

lecture notes before they take an

exam.

study studies
 Answer
Tom and Sarah __________ the

lecture notes before they take an

exam.

study studies
 Rule
A plural subject in present tense

(including compound subjects joined by

"and") takes the base form of the verb

without "s".
 Question 5
Everybody __________ a good story

that captivates the imagination.

love loves
 Answer
Everybody __________ a good story

that captivates the imagination.

love loves
 Rule
Indefinite pronouns such as "everybody"

are treated as singular and take a singular

verb with "s" in the present tense.

 Indefinite Pronouns
 Someone needs to bring snacks for the meeting.

 Each has a unique role in the project.

 Nobody knows the answer to that question.

 Anyone is welcome to join the club.

 Everything seems perfect for the event.

 Question 6
The committee members __________

proposed changes at weekly meetings.

discuss discusses
 Answer
The committee members __________

proposed changes at weekly meetings.

discuss discusses
 Rule
A plural subject in present
tense takes the base form of
the verb (without "s").
 Question 7
Neither the teacher nor the

students __________ able to find the

books.

was were
 Answer
Neither the teacher nor the

students __________ able to find the

books.

was were
 RUle
With "neither...nor" (or
"either...or") constructions, the
verb agrees with the subject
that is closest to it.
 Examples
• Neither the dog nor the cats were in the yard.

(The closest subject is "cats," which is plural, so we use

"were.")

• Either my brother or my parents are coming to the even

(The closest subject is "parents," which is plural, so we

use "are.")
 Question 8
The flock of birds _______ gracefully

across the sky.

fly flies
 Answer
The flock of birds _______ gracefully

across the sky.

fly flies
 Rule
Collective nouns (like "flock") are
usually treated as singular and take a
singular verb with "s" in the present
tense.
 Examples
• The team wins every match they play.

(Here, "team" is a collective noun treated as

singular.)

• The staff works hard to meet the deadline.

(The collective noun "staff" is treated as

 Countable
Uncountable
Nouns
COUNTABLE UNCOUNTABLE
NOUNS NOUNS
Countable nouns may Uncountable nouns are not
be preceded by a/an or immediately preceded by
one in the singular. a/an or one.
They have no plural form, so
They take a final -s/-es
do not add a final -s/-es.
in the plural.
COUNTABLE UNCOUNTABLE
NOUNS NOUNS
a student This news is very important.
an apple
kids Your luggage looks heavy.
oranges
 COUNTABLE OR UNCOUNTABLE?

Write "C" for Countable and "Un" for Uncountable.

Bread Cake Dog Tea

Student Cheese Computer Water

C : Countable Un: Uncountable

 ANSWERS

Write "C" for Countable and "Un" for Uncountable.

C Bread Un Cake C Dog Un Tea

C Student Un Cheese C Computer Un Water

C : Countable Un: Uncountable

 Countable nouns are for things
we can count using numbers.
They have a singular and a
Information plural form.

Uncountable nouns are for the things

that we cannot count with numbers.
They may be the names for abstract
ideas or qualities or for physical objects
that are too small or too amorphous to
be counted
 SOME -ANY
Both may be used with countable and uncountable nouns.

Countables Uncountables

Some is used for positive sentences. Some is used for positive

som sentences
Some may also be used for
questions, typically offers and e
any
requests. Any is used for negative
Any is used for negative sentences
sentences and questions.
and questions.
 EXAMPLES

Countables Uncountables
She bought some magazines from
There is some chicken left for
the library.
you.
May I have some more som
There isn't any toilet paper
chocolate? e
any left..
There aren't any posters on Have you got any cash on
the wall. you?

Has Lucy got any brothers?

 There is some Uncountable
There isn't any noun
 Un
There is some meat in the fridge.

Un
There isn't any coffee in the shop.
 There are some countable noun.
There aren't any
 C
There are some rulers on the desk.

C
There any dishes on the table.
aren't
 QUIZ TIME

Some or Any?

1.There are stars in the sky.

2.There isn't sugar in my tea.
3.There aren't roses on the table.
 ANSWERS

Some or Any?

1.There are some stars in the sky.

2.There isn't any sugar in my tea.
3.There aren't any roses on the table.
THANK
YOU

Presented by: Ms.

Diane