Learn on PengiElements of Language, 3rd CourseChapter 5: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

Lesson 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

In this Grade 6 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 3rd Course, students learn how to make subjects and verbs agree in number, covering singular and plural subjects, verb phrases, and compound subjects joined by and, or, or nor. The lesson also introduces indefinite pronouns as subjects and explains the nearest-subject rule for or/nor constructions. Practice exercises guide students in identifying correct verb forms in context.

Section 1

Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

Definition

A verb should agree in number with its subject.

Explanation

Think of subjects and verbs as dance partners! A singular subject (one person or thing) needs a singular verb, and a plural subject (more than one) needs a plural verb. They must match! Remember that for verb phrases (like has been running), the very first helping verb must agree with the subject.

Examples

  • Singular: The girl in our class plays the piano beautifully.
  • Plural: The girls in our class play the piano beautifully.
  • Verb Phrase: Has your little cat been sleeping all day? [The singular verb has agrees with the singular subject cat.]

Section 2

Compound Subjects with 'And'

Definition

Subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb.

Explanation

When you link two or more subjects with and, you create a group, making the subject plural. Therefore, it requires a plural verb. It's like saying "they." It doesn't matter if the individual subjects are singular; together, they function as a plural unit, needing a plural verb partner.

Examples

  • Fresh cilantro, lime, and avocados have been mixed into this guacamole.
  • Good friends, deep conversations, and shared meals bring joy to our lives.
  • My sister and I often talk about our future plans.

Section 3

Compound Subjects with 'Or' or 'Nor'

Definition

For compound subjects joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the subject nearer the verb.

Explanation

With or and nor, you're presenting choices, not a combined group. The verb takes a shortcut and only agrees with the subject it's physically closest to in the sentence. This is the Proximity Rule! Always check the subject right beside the verb to decide if the verb should be singular or plural.

Examples

  • My sisters or my mom drives me to school in the morning. [The singular verb drives agrees with the closer singular subject mom.]
  • My mom or my sisters drive me to school in the morning. [The plural verb drive agrees with the closer plural subject sisters.]
  • Do wrenches or a hammer work better for this job?[Do agrees with the closer plural subject wrenches.]

Section 4

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

Definition

The following indefinite pronouns are singular: anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something.

Explanation

These pronouns might seem to refer to many people or things, but grammatically they are always treated as singular. Think of everyone or everybody as "every single person." This trick helps you remember to always use a singular verb with them, no matter what other phrases appear in the sentence.

Examples

  • Each of the contestants receives a certificate of participation.
  • Someone usually brings dessert to the weekly potluck.
  • No one plans a beach trip during a hurricane!

Section 5

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

Definition

The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many, several.

Explanation

These pronouns—both, few, many, several—unmistakably refer to more than one person or thing. Because they are inherently plural, they must always be paired with a plural verb. This rule is very direct: if the pronoun means "more than one," use a plural verb like are, were, or have.

Examples

  • Few of the students have finished the exam already.
  • Several of the puppies have learned to sit.
  • Both of the paintings were hung in the gallery.

Section 6

Variable Indefinite Pronouns

Definition

The following indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural, depending on their meaning in the sentence: all, any, more, most, none, some.

Explanation

These pronouns are grammatical chameleons! To determine if they're singular or plural, you must look at the object of the preposition that follows them. If that noun is a singular, non-count noun (like cake), the pronoun is singular. If the noun is plural (like songs), the pronoun is plural.

Examples

  • Singular: Was any of the cake saved? [Any refers to the singular noun cake.]
  • Plural: Were any of the songs saved? [Any refers to the plural noun songs.]
  • Some of my advice is being used by the committee.[Some refers to the singular noun advice.]

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Chapter 5: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

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Section 1

Basic Subject-Verb Agreement

Definition

A verb should agree in number with its subject.

Explanation

Think of subjects and verbs as dance partners! A singular subject (one person or thing) needs a singular verb, and a plural subject (more than one) needs a plural verb. They must match! Remember that for verb phrases (like has been running), the very first helping verb must agree with the subject.

Examples

  • Singular: The girl in our class plays the piano beautifully.
  • Plural: The girls in our class play the piano beautifully.
  • Verb Phrase: Has your little cat been sleeping all day? [The singular verb has agrees with the singular subject cat.]

Section 2

Compound Subjects with 'And'

Definition

Subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb.

Explanation

When you link two or more subjects with and, you create a group, making the subject plural. Therefore, it requires a plural verb. It's like saying "they." It doesn't matter if the individual subjects are singular; together, they function as a plural unit, needing a plural verb partner.

Examples

  • Fresh cilantro, lime, and avocados have been mixed into this guacamole.
  • Good friends, deep conversations, and shared meals bring joy to our lives.
  • My sister and I often talk about our future plans.

Section 3

Compound Subjects with 'Or' or 'Nor'

Definition

For compound subjects joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the subject nearer the verb.

Explanation

With or and nor, you're presenting choices, not a combined group. The verb takes a shortcut and only agrees with the subject it's physically closest to in the sentence. This is the Proximity Rule! Always check the subject right beside the verb to decide if the verb should be singular or plural.

Examples

  • My sisters or my mom drives me to school in the morning. [The singular verb drives agrees with the closer singular subject mom.]
  • My mom or my sisters drive me to school in the morning. [The plural verb drive agrees with the closer plural subject sisters.]
  • Do wrenches or a hammer work better for this job?[Do agrees with the closer plural subject wrenches.]

Section 4

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

Definition

The following indefinite pronouns are singular: anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something.

Explanation

These pronouns might seem to refer to many people or things, but grammatically they are always treated as singular. Think of everyone or everybody as "every single person." This trick helps you remember to always use a singular verb with them, no matter what other phrases appear in the sentence.

Examples

  • Each of the contestants receives a certificate of participation.
  • Someone usually brings dessert to the weekly potluck.
  • No one plans a beach trip during a hurricane!

Section 5

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

Definition

The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many, several.

Explanation

These pronouns—both, few, many, several—unmistakably refer to more than one person or thing. Because they are inherently plural, they must always be paired with a plural verb. This rule is very direct: if the pronoun means "more than one," use a plural verb like are, were, or have.

Examples

  • Few of the students have finished the exam already.
  • Several of the puppies have learned to sit.
  • Both of the paintings were hung in the gallery.

Section 6

Variable Indefinite Pronouns

Definition

The following indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural, depending on their meaning in the sentence: all, any, more, most, none, some.

Explanation

These pronouns are grammatical chameleons! To determine if they're singular or plural, you must look at the object of the preposition that follows them. If that noun is a singular, non-count noun (like cake), the pronoun is singular. If the noun is plural (like songs), the pronoun is plural.

Examples

  • Singular: Was any of the cake saved? [Any refers to the singular noun cake.]
  • Plural: Were any of the songs saved? [Any refers to the plural noun songs.]
  • Some of my advice is being used by the committee.[Some refers to the singular noun advice.]

Book overview

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

Continue this chapter

Chapter 5: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

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