Transcript Document
Business English at Work
© 2003 Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Subject-Verb Agreement
Select single verbs that agree with single subjects
Objectives
Identify phrases between subjects and verbs that do not affect the choice of the verb.
Use verbs that agree with subjects joined by
and, or,
and
nor
correctly.
Select linking verbs that agree with subjects.
continued PP 11-1a Business English at Work
Subject-Verb Agreement
continued
Select verbs that agree with indefinite pronouns
Objectives
Use verbs that agree with collective nouns.
Use verbs that agree with money, time periods, numbers, and measurements.
Use correct verbs with subjects in inverted sentences.
Use verbs that agree with plural nouns and gerund phrases.
Business English at Work PP 11-1b
Subject-Verb Agreement
General Principles of Subject-Verb Agreement
A verb must agree with its subject in –
Person
a) first b) second c) third
Number
a) singular b) plural
Business English at Work PP 11-2
Subject-Verb Agreement
Singular Subject —Singular Verb
Use a singular verb with a singular subject.
Add
s
or
es
to a present part of a singular verb when the subject is third person singular.
Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb form.
an employee decides he reaches I speak you agree she plans the telephone buzzes experience brings it taxes
Business English at Work PP 11-3
Subject-Verb Agreement
Plural Subject —Plural Verb
Use a plural verb with a plural subject.
Do not add
s
to a plural verb used with a plural subject (a plural noun is formed by adding
s
or
es,
but this is not true with the plural form of a verb).
Use the simple subject to determine the correct verb form.
the managers cooperate employees compromise the Johnsons own they decide members disagree we discuss
Business English at Work PP 11-4
Subject-Verb Agreement
Pronoun You —Plural Verb
Use a plural verb with both the second-person singular or second-person plural subject
you
.
you determine you both work you think you are all qualified you are
Business English at Work PP 11-5
Subject-Verb Agreement
Intervening Words and Phrases
The verb must agree with the subject,
not
with the object of the prepositional phrase that may appear between the subject and the verb.
My lack of experience keeps me from accepting a leadership role.
The items on the agenda determine the length of our meetings.
The members of our team work well together.
Business English at Work PP 11-6a
Subject-Verb Agreement
Intervening Words and Phrases
Disregard modifying phrases such as
along with, in addition to, together with, accompanied by, as well as,
and
in conjunction with.
Use commas to set aside these modifying phrases when they are placed between the subject and the verb.
Patti, along with several other committee members, prepares our agenda.
Patience, in addition to the ability to listen, plays an important part in success.
Business English at Work PP 11-6b
Subject-Verb Agreement
Compound Subjects Joined by And
Use a plural verb with a compound subject joined by
and
or
both . . . and.
The manager and team members meet every week. Both Rachel and Rick work in the evenings.
Use a singular verb with a compound subject that refers to the same person or thing or is considered a single unit.
My friend and coworker has participated in panel discussions on teamwork.
Business English at Work PP 11-7
Subject-Verb Agreement
Compound Subjects Joined by Or or Nor
Make the verb agree with the subject nearest the verb when a compound subject is joined by
or
or
nor
or by
either . . . or
or
neither . . . nor.
Either Penny or Zola is expected to replace Maurey on the committee.
Neither the supervisor nor the committee members were available after 5 p.m.
Business English at Work PP 11-8
Subject-Verb Agreement
Compound Subjects With Many a, Many an, Each, and Every
Use a singular verb when the words
many a, many an, each,
and
every
immediately precede a compound subject. The subject that follows one of these four expressions is considered singular; the verb must agree.
Many a staff meeting and brainstorming session has resulted in numerous creative ideas.
Every supervisor and department manager needs good communication skills.
Each workshop participant and observer receives feedback in a timely manner.
Business English at Work PP 11-9
Subject-Verb Agreement
Linking Verbs
A linking verb should agree with its subject, not its subject complement (predicate noun or pronoun).
Time management skills were the first workshop topic at our company retreat.
Compliments are a way to start a conversation.
Business English at Work PP 11-10
Subject-Verb Agreement
Indefinite Pronouns That Require Singular Verbs
Use a singular verb when the subject is one of the following singular indefinite pronouns.
anybody anyone anything each either everybody everyone everything neither one no one somebody nobody someone nothing something Someone in our department commutes from Santa Rosa.
One of our team members always reacts strongly to recommendations that appear costly.
Business English at Work PP 11-11
Subject-Verb Agreement
Indefinite Pronouns That Require Plural Verbs
Use a plural verb when the subject is one of the following pronouns:
both, few, many, others,
and
several.
Several of our employees like to organize our retreat. Many of our Website changes are the result of customers’ suggestions.
Both of the team meetings are scheduled for Friday.
Business English at Work PP 11-12
Subject-Verb Agreement
Collective Nouns That Require a Singular Verb
Use a singular verb to refer to a group as one unit.
This particular accounting team is extremely accurate.
The public relations group responds quickly to any questions about company operations. The hiring committee has selected a candidate.
Business English at Work PP 11-13
Subject-Verb Agreement
Collective Nouns That Require a Plural Verb
Use a plural verb to refer to group members acting as individual members of the group.
The team are selecting meeting dates for next year. At Mission Hills Mortgage, a peer counseling group help workers with work-related problems. The committee need to stop promoting their individual projects and make a group decision.
Business English at Work PP 11-14
Subject-Verb Agreement
Publications
Use a singular verb when the name of a publication such as a book, magazine, software, or newspaper is used as a subject.
The Insider publishes our company announcements. The Internet Guide reviews Websites.
Business English at Work PP 11-15
Subject-Verb Agreement
Companies, Institutions, and Organizations
Use a singular verb when the name of a company, an institution, or an organization is used as a subject of a sentence.
Marriott International Inc. emphasizes the ability to work as a member of a team. Gateway Technical College makes teamwork a part of each class.
Business English at Work PP 11-16
Subject-Verb Agreement
Money, Time Periods, Numbers, and Measurements
Use a singular verb with money, measurements, time periods, or numbers when referring to one total amount or unit.
Two hours is the time limit for all staff meetings.
Twenty dollars is the donation expected from each employee.
Business English at Work PP 11-17
Subject-Verb Agreement
Fractional Amounts — Singular Verbs
Use a singular verb with expressions such as
majority of, a part of, a portion of, a the percentage of
or
one-half of
follows the word
of
is singular.
when the noun that
The majority of our team is in support of the software update.
A small percentage of our meeting time involves socializing.
Business English at Work PP 11-18
Subject-Verb Agreement
Fractional Amounts — Plural Verbs
Use a plural verb with expressions such as
majority of, a part of, a portion of, a a percentage of,
or
one-half of
when the noun that follows the word of is plural.
A majority of my colleagues support the proposal.
A large percentage of company computers have project management software.
Business English at Work PP 11-19
Subject-Verb Agreement
A Number/The Number
Use a plural verb with the subject
a number.
A number of the members of this committee are eager to reorganize the department.
Use a singular verb with the subject
the number.
The number of accounting employees increases as our business expands.
Business English at Work PP 11-20
Subject-Verb Agreement
Sentences Beginning with Here and There
Locate the subject in a sentence that begins with
here
or
there
. The verb should agree with the subject.
There are five candidates for the manager’s position.
Here is the agenda for the meeting.
Business English at Work PP 11-21
Subject-Verb Agreement
Questions
Locate the subject in a question, and make the verb agree with the subject.
Do you agree with the recommendations of the committee?
Why are you attending the leadership seminar in California?
Business English at Work PP 11-22
Subject-Verb Agreement
Nouns Ending in ics
Use a singular verb with a noun that ends in
ics
when the noun refers to one topic of study.
Statistics prepares employees for analyzing data.
Use a plural verb with a noun that ends in
ics
when the noun refers to more than one idea or item.
The statistics from our Website are valuable in analyzing our customers’ needs.
Business English at Work PP 11-23
Subject-Verb Agreement
Plural Nouns
Use a plural verb with such nouns ending in
s
as
assets, dues, earnings, goods, grounds, odds, proceeds, savings,
and
thanks
when these nouns are used as subjects.
The odds were against us, but we tried to get additional support staff for the project team. No dues are required from members of teams.
Business English at Work PP 11-24
Subject-Verb Agreement
Gerund Phrases
Use a singular verb when a gerund phrase is the subject of a sentence.
Completing leadership training takes commitment.
Assuming leadership roles is important for all employees.
Business English at Work PP 11-25
End of Business English at Work
© 2003 Glencoe/McGraw-Hill