Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 8: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

Lesson 1: Agreement of Subject and Verb

In this Grade 7 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn how to make subjects and verbs agree in number by identifying singular and plural subjects and matching them with the correct verb forms. The lesson covers singular verbs ending in -s, plural verbs, and subject-verb agreement within verb phrases that include helping verbs. Practice exercises guide students through choosing the correct verb form in sentences where the subject may appear before or after the verb.

Section 1

Singular Subjects and Verbs

Definition

Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Explanation

When your subject is just one person, place, or thing, the verb that goes with it is singular. Most of the time, a singular verb in the present tense will end with an -s, like runs, jumps, or sings. Remember this cool tip: the pronouns I and you are special! Even though they are singular, their verbs don't get an -s.

Examples

  • The dog chases the ball across the yard. [The singular verb chases agrees with the singular subject dog.]
  • Is the teacher ready for the class? [The singular verb Is agrees with the singular subject teacher.]
  • I know the secret password. [The singular verb know, which does not end in -s, agrees with the singular pronoun I.]

Section 2

Plural Subjects and Verbs

Definition

Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Explanation

When your subject is plural (meaning there's more than one), the verb that matches it usually won't have an -s at the end. It's the opposite of the singular verb rule, which makes it easy to remember. Just think: plural subject, plain verb!

Examples

  • The horses gallop through the field. [The plural verb gallop agrees with the plural subject horses.]
  • Are the students finished with their homework? [The plural verb Are agrees with the plural subject students.]
  • My sisters sing in the choir together. [The plural verb sing agrees with the plural subject sisters.]

Section 3

Agreement with Helping Verbs

Definition

A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs. The first helping verb in the verb phrase agrees with the subject.

Explanation

When a verb has multiple parts (like has been practicing), it's called a verb phrase. The only part you need to worry about for subject-verb agreement is the very first helping verb. That's the one that must match the subject. Don't get tricked by questions! Even if the helping verb comes before the subject, it still has to agree with it.

Examples

  • The chef has created a new recipe. [Has created is the verb phrase. The singular helping verb has agrees with the singular subject chef.]
  • The children do enjoy their time at the park. [Do enjoy is the verb phrase. The plural helping verb do agrees with the plural subject children.]
  • Has the movie started yet? [The singular helping verb Has agrees with the singular subject movie.]

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Chapter 8: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Agreement of Subject and Verb

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Compound Subjects

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Singular Subjects and Verbs

Definition

Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Explanation

When your subject is just one person, place, or thing, the verb that goes with it is singular. Most of the time, a singular verb in the present tense will end with an -s, like runs, jumps, or sings. Remember this cool tip: the pronouns I and you are special! Even though they are singular, their verbs don't get an -s.

Examples

  • The dog chases the ball across the yard. [The singular verb chases agrees with the singular subject dog.]
  • Is the teacher ready for the class? [The singular verb Is agrees with the singular subject teacher.]
  • I know the secret password. [The singular verb know, which does not end in -s, agrees with the singular pronoun I.]

Section 2

Plural Subjects and Verbs

Definition

Plural subjects take plural verbs.

Explanation

When your subject is plural (meaning there's more than one), the verb that matches it usually won't have an -s at the end. It's the opposite of the singular verb rule, which makes it easy to remember. Just think: plural subject, plain verb!

Examples

  • The horses gallop through the field. [The plural verb gallop agrees with the plural subject horses.]
  • Are the students finished with their homework? [The plural verb Are agrees with the plural subject students.]
  • My sisters sing in the choir together. [The plural verb sing agrees with the plural subject sisters.]

Section 3

Agreement with Helping Verbs

Definition

A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs. The first helping verb in the verb phrase agrees with the subject.

Explanation

When a verb has multiple parts (like has been practicing), it's called a verb phrase. The only part you need to worry about for subject-verb agreement is the very first helping verb. That's the one that must match the subject. Don't get tricked by questions! Even if the helping verb comes before the subject, it still has to agree with it.

Examples

  • The chef has created a new recipe. [Has created is the verb phrase. The singular helping verb has agrees with the singular subject chef.]
  • The children do enjoy their time at the park. [Do enjoy is the verb phrase. The plural helping verb do agrees with the plural subject children.]
  • Has the movie started yet? [The singular helping verb Has agrees with the singular subject movie.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 8: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Agreement of Subject and Verb

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Compound Subjects

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B

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