Reflection Paper
30. SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT: BASIC RULES
To make sure the verb agrees with the subject: First, find the subject(s) of the sentence. The subject is who or what is performing the action or being described.
Nurses prepare the patients for surgery, and the head nurse inspects the patients’ rights before the surgery. The topic is controversial, so the students have strong opinions. I am studying biology because it has always interested me.
Then, look for these three types of verbs to make sure the verb agrees with the subject. Verbs in the simple present
BE verbs
HAVE verbs
Example of subject-verb agreement Remember The –s at the end of a verb means third person singular (e.g., she inspects).
How to make the verb agree with the subject If the subject is any noun that can be replaced with he, she, or it, add –s to the simple form of the verb. Verbs in the simple present If the subject is any noun that can be replaced with they (or is the pronouns I, we, you or they), just use the simple form.
The head nurse inspects the patients.
I / you / we / they inspect the patients.
The –s at the end of a noun means plural (e.g., patients).
BE verbs can be used alone.
I am a nursing major. The topic is controversial. You / We / /They are helpful. I am studying biology. My friend is studying biology. You / We / They are studying biology. I / You / We / They have strong opinions. The school has helpful teachers. I / You / We / They have studied already. It has always interested me.
BE verbs
BE verbs can be helping verbs.
Used alone or as a helping verb, the BE verb needs to agree with the subject.
HAVE verbs
HAVE verbs can be used alone.
HAVE verbs can be used as helping verbs.
Used alone or as a helping verb, the HAVE verb needs to agree with the subject.
Created in 2007 at the Center for English Language Support, John Jay College, on a U.S. Department of Education (Title V Collaborative) Grant awarded to John Jay College of Criminal
To make sure the verb agrees with the subject: First, find the subject(s) of the sentence. The subject is who or what is performing the action or being described.
Nurses prepare the patients for surgery, and the head nurse inspects the patients’ rights before the surgery. The topic is controversial, so the students have strong opinions. I am studying biology because it has always interested me.
Then, look for these three types of verbs to make sure the verb agrees with the subject. Verbs in the simple present
BE verbs
HAVE verbs
Example of subject-verb agreement Remember The –s at the end of a verb means third person singular (e.g., she inspects).
How to make the verb agree with the subject If the subject is any noun that can be replaced with he, she, or it, add –s to the simple form of the verb. Verbs in the simple present If the subject is any noun that can be replaced with they (or is the pronouns I, we, you or they), just use the simple form.
The head nurse inspects the patients.
I / you / we / they inspect the patients.
The –s at the end of a noun means plural (e.g., patients).
BE verbs can be used alone.
I am a nursing major. The topic is controversial. You / We / /They are helpful. I am studying biology. My friend is studying biology. You / We / They are studying biology. I / You / We / They have strong opinions. The school has helpful teachers. I / You / We / They have studied already. It has always interested me.
BE verbs
BE verbs can be helping verbs.
Used alone or as a helping verb, the BE verb needs to agree with the subject.
HAVE verbs
HAVE verbs can be used alone.
HAVE verbs can be used as helping verbs.
Used alone or as a helping verb, the HAVE verb needs to agree with the subject.
Created in 2007 at the Center for English Language Support, John Jay College, on a U.S. Department of Education (Title V Collaborative) Grant awarded to John Jay College of Criminal