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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT – s or es
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Chloe and Kevin enjoy going out to _____ restaurants. They love to eat pasta, share a dessert, and have
espresso. Chloe and Kevin’s anniversary is coming up.
Kevin wants to plan a night out at an Italian restaurant in town. He calls a restaurant to make a _____ but
they have no tables available. Kevin thinks and jumps around the house.
He knows that Chloe _____ Italian food more than anything else. He knows that nothing makes her
happier. But the only two Italian places in town are too busy. Kevin has an idea. What if he cooks Chloe a
homemade Italian meal. Chloe loves when Kevin makes an effort. There's only one thing. Kevin isn't a
good cook. In fact, Kevin is a _____ cook. Kevin has another idea: if he calls up one of the restaurants
before Chloe gets home and orders take-out, he can serve that food instead of his bad_____ ! The day
arrives. Chloe is still at work while Kevin orders the food, picks it up, and brings it back home. As he lays
down the place settings, lights the _____ and puts the music on, Chloe walks in. "Happy Anniversary!"
Kevin tells Chloe. He shows off their romantic dinner setting, smiling. Chloe looks confused. "Our
anniversary is tomorrow, Kevin. "Kevin pauses, looks at the calendar and realizes she's right. He looks
back at her.“ I guess it's always good to practice!" he says.
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Main Idea Questions:
1.
2.
3.
Is it important to celebrate an anniversary?
What have you learned from 1 year relationship
with your partner?
In your own opinion, what is significance of
celebrating anniversary?
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Detailed Questions:
1. What are the foods they liked when they’re eating in Italian restaurant?
2. What is the plan of Kevin to Chloe?
3. What are the problems faced by Kevin in surprising Chloe?
4. In your opinion, did Chloe like the plans of Kevin?
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Concept Check:
Fancy
Tablecloth
Anniversary
Espresso
screws up
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Highlighting:
Basic Rule of Agreement
When the subject is singular, one -s or -es is added to the present tense verb; however, when the subject is plural
(more than one), nothing is added to the verb. Although the addition of -s or -es to a noun indicates the plural
form, adding -s or -es to a verb indicates a third person singular verb.
GENERAL SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT RULE
Singular subjects: add -s
Plural subjects: no ending
Singular refers to one:
The adventurous girl hikes to the top of Mount Everest.
Subject: girl
Verb: hikes
In this sentence, the subject, girl, is singular in number. Only one girl is hiking. In order for the
subject and the verb to agree, the verb (hikes) has an –s ending to make it a third person singular
verb.
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Plural refers to more than one:
The adventurous girls hike to the top of Mount Everest.
Subject: girls
Verb: hike
In this sentence, the subject, girls, is plural. There is more than one girl hiking. Since the
subject is plural, the verb hike has no ending.
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RULE 1:
Verbs agree with their subjects in number (Singular or Plural)
Singular subjects take singular verbs.
o The boy swims at the lake.
o The dog barks at night.
Plural subjects take plural verbs.
o The boys swim at the lake.
o The dogs bark at night.
Note: Do not change the subject to agree with the verb.
Change the verb to agree with the subject.
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RULE 2:
Phrases which come between the subject and the verb usually have nothing to do with whether a subject
is singular or plural.
Examples:
1. The girls on the cheerleading squad cheer for the football players.
2. The patterns on the plate are perfect roses.
3. The boys, as well as the girls, eat ice cream
4. Taxes, when added to the price, make the car too expensive for me.
All you need to know about the above examples is that there is a plural subject which requires a plural
verb in each sentence. Ask yourself WHO or WHAT (noun or pronoun) is doing some thing, and WHAT is
he doing (verb) or WHAT is he (adjective). He talks. I am.
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CONTROLLED ACTIVITY:
CORRECT or INCORRECT: Identify if the following sentences are correct or incorrect.
Write C if the sentence is correct and IC if the statement is incorrect.
1. The cat play with the yarn.
2. The boy wish for a new toy for his birthday.
3. The dogs play in the yard.
4. Dogs and cats are usually enemies.
5. The athletic trainer and graduate student is Bill Smith.
6. Politic is a subject of great interest.
7. The scissors is on the table.
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Semi – Controlled Activity:
Give the plural form of the following words.
1. Teacher
2. Teach
3. Student
4. Hope
5. Wish
6. Wife
7. Branch
8. Knife
9. Safety
10. butterfly
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FACILITATION ACTIVITY
Describe the picture. Share your
reflection or experiences about this
picture. Then create a short story
about the picture.
REMEMBER: use the rule of subjectverb agreement to have a precise and
meaningful story.
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