Write this down!!

1. Write this down!! Singular means one. Singular verbs DO have an (-S) on the end Plural means more than one. Plural verbs DO NOT have an (-S) on the end

2. For example The dog (play, plays) in the yard. The dogs (play, plays) in the yard. He (is, are) going to the mall. They (is, are) going to the mall.

3. Subject/Verb Agreement Rules 1.) Singular Collective Nouns- a group that acts as one unit and is not divided into action use a singular verb. Ex. The band plays popular songs. The class (learn, learns) the concepts together.

4. 2.) Plural Collective Nouns- when the individuals that make up the group act separately, use a plural verb with the subject. Ex. The band were arguing over uniforms. The jury (has, have) different opinions about the verdict.

5. Common Collective Nouns • Class • Family • Team • Audience • Crew • Faculty • crowd

6. More Rules… 3.) Nouns Singular in Meaning but Plural in Form- only a few nouns are plural, and these nouns use a singular verb: news, series, mumps, measles. Ex. The news is on TV at six o’clock. The TV series Glee (is, are) very popular.

7. 4.) Plural (–ics) nouns- most nouns that end in –ics are plural, especially if it is preceded by the, a, an, or a possessive noun or pronoun agree with a plural verb. Ex. His politics are conservative. The ethics of the group (was, were)commendable.

8. Rules Continued… 5.) Singular (–ics) nouns- singular when –ics nouns are used as one thought OR one school subject and will NOT have a modifier in front. These nouns agree with a singular verb. Ex. Politics is everyone’s business. Mathematics (is, are) a complex subject.

9. Let’s practice! 1.) Politics (is, are) an interesting career opportunity. 2.) His politics (is, are) known throughout the world. 3.)Mumps (is, are) usually a childhood disease. 4.) The pit crew ( keep, keeps) the race car in good condition. 5.) The crowd (cheer, cheers) for their team at every football game. 6.) The crowd (scatter, scatters) in different directions during the explosion.