6 Subject-Verb Agreement MARY ELLEN GUFFEY AND CAROLYN M SEEFER BUSINESS ENGLISH 12e â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Valeri Potapova/Shutterstock L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E S Level ▶ Locate the subjects of verbs despite prepositional phrases, intervening elements, sentences beginning with there and here, and inverted sentence structure ▶ Make verbs agree with subjects joined by and, with company and organization names, and with titles © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Locating Subjects and Making Them Agree With Verbs Prepositional Phrases Intervening Elements Sentences Beginning with there and here Inverted Sentence Order Subjects Joined by and Company and Organization Names Titles â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Prepositional Phrases When locating subjects, ignore prepositional phrases Subjects of verbs are never found in prepositional phrases Some of the most common prepositions are of, to, in, from, for, with, at, and by Less easily recognized are the prepositions except, but, like, and between © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Prepositional Phrases Examples What are the subjects of the following sentences? One of the companies is hiring new employees E-mail messages from the president are important Everyone except Stephanie and Todd is working â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Intervening Elements When locating subjects, ignore intervening groups of words such as those introduced by in addition to, such as, as well as, including, and together with â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Intervening Elements Examples What are the subjects of the following sentences? TeleCon, Inc., along with several other companies, is submitting bids The buyer, as well as two of our operators, is examining the equipment â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Sentences Beginning With there and here In sentences beginning with there or here, look for the true subject after the verb There are several new products (Invert: Several new products are there.) Here is the team of 15 people ready to help (Invert: A team of 15 people ready to help is here.) © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Sentences Beginning With there and here What are the subjects of the following sentences? There are several valid arguments Here is a list of possible agenda items â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Inverted Sentence Order Look for the subject after the verb in inverted sentences and in questions Across the street is a recycling center (Invert: A recycling center is across the street.) Is one of the technicians going to call? (Invert: One of the technicians is going to call.) © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 10 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Identify the subject; then 4.Either of the health plans (is/are) acceptable choose the correct verb to complete these sentences Each of the witnesses (is/are) scheduled to testify today The council (is/are) voting to adopt the measure The council (is/are) taking their seats © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 30 L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E S Level ▶ Make verbs agree with the number and a number ; quantities and measures; fractions, portions, and percentages; and who and that clauses ▶ Achieve subject–verb agreement with phrases and clauses as subjects and with subject complements â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 31 Additional Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement The Distinction Between the number and a number Quantities and Measures Fractions, Portions, and Percentages Who and that Clauses Phrases and Clauses as Subjects â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 32 The distinction between the number and a number As sentence subjects, the number is always singular; a number is always plural The number of requests is growing yearly (Singular) A number of stocks are traded daily (Plural) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 33 Quantities and Measures When they refer to total amounts, quantities and measures are singular When they refer to individual units that can be counted, quantities and measures are plural Five yards of fabric is the amount needed to complete that garment (Quantity as a single unit) Five days are needed to complete the project (Quantity as individual units) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 34 Fractions, Portions, and Percentages Fractions, portions, and percentages may be singular or plural depending on the nouns to which they refer One third of the job has been completed (One third refers to job and, therefore, is singular.) One third of the bonds have been sold (One third refers to bonds and, therefore, is plural.) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 35 Fractions, Portions, and Percentages—More Examples A portion of our management team favors the plan (Portion refers to team and, therefore, is singular.) A large percentage of the employees also favor the plan (Percentage refers to employees and, therefore, is plural.) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 36 Who and that Clauses Verbs in who and that clauses must agree in number and person with the nouns to which they refer In who and that clauses introduced by one of, the verb is usually plural because it refers to the object of the preposition In who and that clauses introduced by the only one of, the verb is singular â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 37 Who and that Clauses Examples Nan Rivera is one of those instructors who are very professional (The verb are is controlled by instructors.) AT&T is the only one of the wireless carriers that is able to sell this particular plan (The word only suggests that the writer wishes to emphasize the singularity of the subject.) © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 38 Who and that Clauses TIP Begin your reading of sentences containing one of those who clauses with the word of Instead of reading the sentence as: Nan Rivera is one of those instructors who are very professional Begin reading the sentence with of : Of those instructors who are very professional, Nan Rivera is one © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 39 Phrases and Clauses as Subjects Use a singular verb when the subject of a sentence is a phrase or a clause Learning to operate all of the office equipment devices is a big task Relying too much on others is detrimental â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 40 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Identify the subject; then choose the correct verb to complete these A number of registered students (is/are) eligible for financial aid sentences The number of registered students (has/have) declined Fifty dollars (is/are) the price of monthly wireless service â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 41 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Identify the subject; then 4.One hundred pennies (is/are) needed to make choose the correct verb a dollar to complete these sentences Two thirds of the businesses (complies/ comply) with the regulation Two thirds of the presentation (includes/ include) PowerPoint slides © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 42 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Identify the subject; then 7.Professor Daly is one of those professors who choose the correct verb (gets/get) results with their students to complete these sentences Jeffrey Church is the only one of the professors who (allows/allow) cell phones in class © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 43 “One of the glories of English simplicity is the possibility of using the same word as noun and verb.” – Edward Sapir, American anthropologist/linguist (1884-1939) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 44 © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock ... classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 11 Subjects Joined by and Compound subjects joined by and require a plural verb Our football team and our baseball team are doing... Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 13 Subjects Joined by and However, when each or every precedes subjects joined by and, the subject is always singular Each period, comma, and semicolon... Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 22 Subjects Joined by or or nor When two or more subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the closer subject (the one following