Assessed - Identify sentences with correct subject-verb agreement (person/number).
Developing - Use appropriate language structure in oral and written communication (e.g., subject-verb agreement in simple and compound sentences, correct word order, and correct placement of more detailed words and phrases).
In Lesson 4 you will learn to correctly make subjects and verbs agree when the subjects are singular.
Subjects and verbs must work together. They must agree. A verb that ends in a single -s, -es, or -ies is used with a singular noun or with the pronoun subject - he, she, or it.
NOTE: Here are the rules for writing singular verbs.
Add s for most verbs.
An es is added to verbs that end with ss, ch, sh, x, or z so that they can be used with singular nouns or with the pronouns he, she or it.
Examples:
guess » guesses
crunch » crunches
brush » brushes
fix » fixes
buzz » buzzes
When a verb ends with a consonant and y, the y is changed to i and es is added so that the verb can be used with a singular noun or with the pronouns he, she or it.
Examples:
fly » flies
cry » cries
study » studies
copy » copies
Do not change the –y when the base form ends in a vowel +y. Add –s
play » plays
enjoy » enjoys
Examples:
raccoon
jumps
The raccoon jumps into the sycamore tree.
hound
searches
The hound in the middleof the pack searches for the mountain lion.
river
winds
The peaceful river winds through the valley.
trail
twists
The rough trail over the mountain twists all the way to Tahlequah.
Mama
fixes
Mama fixes breakfast each morning.
he
bellows
Old Dan sees a raccoon. He bellows at the top of his lungs.
she
shares
Little Anne is kind. She shares her dinner with her brother.
it
glows
Billy adds wood to the fire. It glows all through the night.
Special Rules
Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.
Little Ann or Old Dan catches the raccoon each time they hunt.
Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb.
Neither Little Ann nor Old Dan bellows at the mountain lion.
The pronouns each, everyone (meaning everybody), everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, many a, and somebody are singular. Do not be misled by what follows of.
Each of the dogs hunts well.
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
Forty dollars buys two coon hounds.
Two years totals a long time for Billy to save his money.
A few subjects look plural but are really singular or vice versa.
Mumps makes one's cheeks hurt and causes swelling and fever.
When the Subject is Title
Even when a title is plural (like The Dragonslayers, How to Eat Fried Worms, or Holes), it functions like a singular subject, and it needs an -s ending on its verb.
Where the Red Fern Grows tells about a boy and his two coon hounds.
Practice Part A - Select the correct verb that agrees with each singular noun subject.
Billy (fix, fixes) breakfast before heading home.
fix
fixes
The boy pup (play, plays) with the girl pup.
play
plays
Each of the names (sound, sounds) perfect to Billy's ears.
sound
sounds
Ten dollars (pay, pays) for gifts for Billy's family.
pay
pays
The news that Billy is safe (make, makes) Ma cry with relief.
make
makes
Part B - Select the correct verb that agrees with each singular noun subject.
Billy names the boy pup Old Dan. He (like, likes) the sound of the name.
like
likes
Billy tells his sisters about the soda pop. It (taste, tastes) sweet and bubbly.
taste
tastes
The fire escape was a pipe that ran up the side of the building. It (appear, appears) funny-looking.
appear
appears
Little Ann was the smartest of the two hounds. She (guide, guides) Old Dan out of trouble.
guide
guides
Papa easily forgives Billy for running off. He (know, knows) he would have done the same thing at Billy's age.
know
knows
Which of the following is written correctly?
Billy want to go to school.
Grandpa loves to tease Billy.
Daisy give milk each day.
Papa please Mama with a hug.
Which of the following sentences does not contain a mistake?
She eat the candy one piece at a time.
News spread quickly through the mountains.
Where the Red Fern Grows challenge the reader to except coon hunting.
Wilson Rawls narratives a wonderful story!
Choose the answer that is written correctly.
One of the dogs bellows through the night.
The woman with all the dogs talk to Billy at the store.
The boy on the playground fight Billy.
Everybody play games in the schoolyard.
Which of the following sentences does not contain a mistake?
The family love to eat dinner at 6:00 PM.
An old K. C. Baking Powder can fill to the top with coins.
Everybody sees Billy in his overalls.
Mathematics help Billy count his money.
Choose the answer that is written correctly.
Each day brings a new joy to Billy.
Either Little Ann or Old Dan play games through the woods going home.
Ten dollars burn a whole in Billy's pocket.
It sound like the mountain lion would cry all night long.