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| In this topic, you will learn the correct way to match the singular or plural subject with the verbs. |
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A singular subject takes a singular verb. |
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Singular subject + Singular verb |
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| Note: Indefinite pronouns such as someone, everybody, no one, anyone are considered as singular subjects. |
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| Examples: |
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| That debater usually |
presents |
interesting arguments. |
| Singular subject |
Singular verb |
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| The traffic light |
turns |
red every few minutes. |
| Singular subject |
Singular verb |
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| Someone |
has |
stepped on the grass. |
| Singular subject |
Singular verb |
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| Note: There is an addition of '-s' at the end of the verb if the subject is in the singular form. (Eg: eats, drinks, runs, reads) |
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A plural subject takes a plural verb. |
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Plural subject + Plural verb |
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| Examples: |
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| They regularly |
conduct |
seminars on AIDS to educate people about the disease. |
| Plural subject |
Plural verb |
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| There |
are |
three types |
of mangoes there. |
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Plural verb |
Plural subject |
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| Danial and Henry |
attend |
Sunday school together. |
| Plural subject |
Plural verb |
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Note: No '-s' is added at the end of the verb if the subject is in the plural form. (Eg: eat, drink, run, read)
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Linking verbs |
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Verbs that link the subject to the complement in a sentence. |
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| Example: |
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| They were at the netball court the whole day. |
| Subject |
They |
| Linking verb |
were |
| Complement |
at the netball court the whole day. |
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Three types of linking verbs |
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| (a) |
'be' verb |
| (b) |
'has' and 'have' |
| (c) |
action verbs (Eg: take) |
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The tables below show you the simple present and simple past forms of linking verbs for singular and plural subjects.
| SUBJECT |
It/ He/ She
Maria (Singular)
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| BE |
is/was |
| HAS |
has/had |
| DO |
does/did |
| VERB |
takes/took |
| SUBJECT |
We/ They
Maria and Malisa (Plural)
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| BE |
are/were |
| HAS |
have/had |
| DO |
do/did |
| VERB |
take/took |
| SUBJECT |
I |
| BE |
am/was |
| HAS |
have/had |
| DO |
do/did |
| VERB |
take/took |
| SUBJECT |
You |
| BE |
are/were |
| HAS |
have/had |
| DO |
do/did |
| VERB |
take/took |
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