SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
- Subjects and verbs must agree with each other in sentences.
- Singular subjects go with singular verbs, and plural subjects go with plural verbs.
The subject of the sentence, "invention," is singular, so the singular verb, "astounds," is used.
The new inventions astound the crowd at the convention.
The subject of the sentence, "inventions," is plural, so the plural verb, "astound," is used.
Subjects and verbs agree differently in different times.
The verb,
is, is used with
singular subjects.
- Last week's newspaper is on the front porch.
- The writer is currently trying to meet the deadline for his book.
The verb,
am, is used when the pronoun,
I, is the subject.
- I am going to the beach with my grandparents.
- Right now, I am in the fourth grade.
The verb,
are, is used with
plural subjects and the pronoun,
you.
- The ovens at the store are all on sale right now.
- You are going to be sick if you keep eating so quickly.
The verb,
was, is used with
singular subjects.
- The flash of lightning was the only thing we saw.
- She was finally finished with the chapter book from the library.
The verb,
were, is used with
plural subjects and the pronoun,
you.
- The days were growing longer as it got colder.
- You were swimming faster than anyone else at the pool.