Better sentence-writing in 30 minutes a day - Dianna Campbell 1995
The verbs to be and to have
Subject-verb agreement
Revising at the word level
Here’s an easy way to approach subject-verb agreement when the verb is a form of to be or to have. Just as with regular verbs, the correct form to match a singular subject will end in -s. The correct form to match a plural subject will not end in -s. Study these correct examples:
Singular Subject |
Plural Subject |
The dessert is delicious. |
The desserts are delicious. |
The dessert was delicious. |
The desserts were delicious. |
The dessert has pizzazz. |
The desserts have pizzazz. |
Notice that all the words that agree with the singular subject dessert end in -s: is, was, and has. Also notice that the verbs that agree with the plural subject desserts do not end in -s. They are are, were, and have.
Exercise 6.3
Fill in each blank with the verb that agrees with the subject. Remember: A singular subject agrees with a verb that ends in -s—with the exceptions of I and you, which are treated as plural subjects.
1. A Steven Spielberg movie ___________ (has / have) certain characteristics.
Steven Spielberg movies ___________ (has / have) certain characteristics.
2. Her attitude ___________ (is / are) wonderful.
Their attitudes ___________ (is / are) wonderful.
3. The mail carriers ___________ (was / were) late.
The mail carrier ___________ (was / were) late.
4. Soft pretzels ___________ (is / are) one of life’s little necessities.
A soft pretzel ___________ (is / are) one of life’s little necessities.
5. One fingernail ___________ (was / were) polished with jade green lacquer.
Her fingernails ___________ (was / were) polished with jade green lacquer.