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Subject Verb Agreement

Instruction

In English, the subject (the person doing the action) and the verb (the action) have to match in number. A plural noun must have a plural verb.

Present Tense (the action happens now)
Singular noun	Singular verb
The man	loves	his new car.
The paperback book	is	boring.
The television show	airs	at 5 p.m.
The angry judge	shouts	at the defendant.
A young boy	falls down	all the time.
Past Tense (the action happens in the past)
Singular noun	Singular verb
The man	loved	his new car.
The paperback book	was	boring.
The television show	aired	at 5 p.m.
The angry judge	shouted	at the defendant.
A young boy	fell down	all the time.
Present Tense (the action happens now)
Plural noun	Plural verb
The men	love	their new car.
The paperback books	are	boring.
The television shows	air	at 5 p.m.
The angry judges	shout	at the defendant.
The young boys	fall down	all the time.
Past Tense (the action happens in the past)
Plural noun	Plural verb
The men	loved	their new car.
The paperback books	were	boring.
The television shows	aired	at 5 p.m.
The angry judges	shouted	at the defendant.
The young boys	fell down	all the time.

Check for Understanding

Directions

1. Circle the subject of the sentence.
2. Look at the verb that is after the sentence.
3. Conjugate that verb and write the correct form of the verb in the blank.

Exercise

Of all the science articles I have read over the years, the most recent article _________________ me the most for a variety of reasons. (to confuse)

All of the tickets from the city _________________ to me. (to belong)

She and her friend _____________ at the fair. (to be)

The book, including all the history in the first two chapters, __________ boring. (to be)

The man with all the dogs ______________ the neighborhood every night. (to walk )

Internet Resources

Perdue OWL
The Learning Center

Last Updated on 7-10-2007