Transcript ch10

Verb and Subject Agreement
Objectives
• Locate the subjects of verbs despite
intervening elements and inverted
sentence structure.
• Make verbs agree with true subjects.
• Make verbs agree with subjects joined
by and.
• Make verbs agree with subjects joined
by or or nor.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 2
Verb and Subject Agreement
• Select the correct verbs to agree with
collective nouns and indefinite
pronouns.
• Make verbs agree with quantities,
fractions, portions, clauses, and a
number or the number.
• Achieve subject-verb agreement within
who clauses.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 3
Locating Subjects and
Making Them Agree With Verbs
Prepositional Phrases
• In locating subjects, ignore prepositional
phrases.
• Some of the most common prepositions
are of, to, in, from, for, with, at, and by.
• Less easily recognized are the
prepositions except, but, like, and
between.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 4
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
1. One of the companies is hiring new
employees.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 5
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
1. One of the companies is hiring new
employees.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 6
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
1. One of the companies is hiring new
employees.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 7
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
2. Letters from the president were sent
recently.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 8
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
2. Letters from the president were sent
recently.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 9
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
2. Letters from the president were sent
recently.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 10
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
3. Everyone except Ann and Leo is working.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 11
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
3. Everyone except Ann and Leo is working.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 12
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
3. Everyone except Ann and Leo is working.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 13
Locating Subjects and
Making Them Agree With Verbs
Intervening Words
• In locating subjects, ignore
intervening groups of words such as
those introduced by in addition to,
such as, as well as, including, and
together with.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 14
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
1. Randolph, Inc., along with several other
companies, is submitting bids.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 15
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
1. Randolph, Inc., along with several other
companies, is submitting bids.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 16
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
1. Randolph, Inc., along with several other
companies, is submitting bids.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 17
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
2. The buyer, as well as two of our
operators, is examining the equipment.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 18
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
2. The buyer, as well as two of our
operators, is examining the equipment.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 19
Check your skill . . .
What is the subject in this sentence?
2. The buyer, as well as two of our
operators, is examining the equipment.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 20
Locating Subjects and
Making Them Agree With Verbs
There or Here
• In sentences beginning with there or
here, look for the true subject after
the verb.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 21
Locating Subjects and
Making Them Agree With Verbs
There are several new products.
Inverted: Several new products are
there.
Here is a list of potential customers.
Inverted: A list of potential customers
is here.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 22
Locating Subjects and
Making Them Agree With Verbs
Inverted Sentences
• Look for the subject after the verb in
inverted sentences and in questions.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 23
Locating Subjects and
Making Them Agree With Verbs
Across the street is a stationer’s shop.
Inverted: A stationer’s shop is across
the street.
Is one of the clerks going to call?
Inverted: One of the clerks is going to
call?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 24
Basic Rules for
Verb-Subject Agreement
Subjects Joined by And
• Subjects joined by and require a plural
verb.
Our office manager and our sales manager are
interviewing applicants.
Writing concisely and proofreading carefully
are important.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 25
Basic Rules for
Verb-Subject Agreement
Company Names and
Publication Titles
• Although they may appear plural,
company names and titles of
publications are singular and require
singular verbs.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 26
Basic Rules for
Verb-Subject Agreement
Fagan, Dunn, and Roe, Inc., is expanding.
“Seven Secrets to Successful Investing” is
enjoying great popularity.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 27
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
1. A list of names and addresses (has/have)
been prepared.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 28
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
1. A list of names and addresses (has/have)
been prepared.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 29
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
2. The house along with its contents
(was/were) insured.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 30
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
2. The house along with its contents
(was/were) insured.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 31
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
3. There (is/are) a magazine and a book lying
on the table.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 32
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
3. There (is/are) a magazine and a book lying
on the table.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 33
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
4. Watts, Steiner, and Kerr, Inc.,
(appear/appears) to be moving.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 34
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
4. Watts, Steiner, and Kerr, Inc.,
(appear/appears) to be moving.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 35
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Or and Nor
• When two or more subjects are joined by
or or nor, the verb should agree with the
closer subject.
Neither the house nor its outbuildings are
insured.
Either Kevin or you are responsible for
the supplies.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 36
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Indefinite Pronouns
• These indefinite pronouns are always
singular.
anyone
each
everyone
neither
someone
anybody
either
everybody
nobody
somebody
anything
every
everything
nothing
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 37
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Indefinite Pronouns
• These indefinite pronouns are always
plural.
both
few
many
several
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 38
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Indefinite Pronouns
• These indefinite pronouns are singular
or plural depending on the words to
which they refer.
all
most
any
more
some
none
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 39
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Examples of Indefinite
Pronoun Use
All of the policies are separate.
Few of the companies are interested.
Some of the food is left.
Most of the envelopes are unsealed.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 40
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Each, Every, and Many A
• If the indefinite pronouns each, every,
and many a are used to describe two or
more subjects joined by and, the
subjects are considered singular.
Many a driver and pedestrian is upset over
the road closure.
Every period, comma, and semicolon is
important.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 41
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Collective Nouns
• Collective nouns such as faculty,
committee, and council may be singular or
plural depending on their mode of
operation.
• When a collective noun operates as a
single unit, its verb should be singular.
The council is meeting Thursday.
Next week the faculty is voting.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 42
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
Collective Nouns
• When the elements of a collective noun
operate separately, the verb is plural.
The faculty were concerned about their
room assignments.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 43
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct helping verb in this
sentence.
1. Either the book title or its chapter titles
(has/have) to be revised.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 44
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct helping verb in this
sentence.
1. Either the book title or its chapter titles
(has/have) to be revised.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 45
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct helping verb in this
sentence.
2. Most of the research for the report (is/are)
completed.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 46
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct helping verb in this
sentence.
2. Most of the research for the report (is/are)
completed.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 47
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct helping verb in this
sentence.
3. Every car, truck, and van (has/have) to be
inspected.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 48
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct helping verb in this
sentence.
3. Every car, truck, and van (has/have) to be
inspected.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 49
Advanced Applications
The Number
• As a sentence subject, the number is
singular.
The number of requests is growing
yearly.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 50
Advanced Applications
A Number
• As a sentence subject, a number is
plural.
A number of stocks are traded daily.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 51
Advanced Applications
Quantities and Measures
• When they refer to total amounts,
quantities and measures are
singular.
Five yards of fabric is the amount
needed to complete that garment.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 52
Advanced Applications
Quantities and Measures
• When they refer to individual units
that can be counted, quantities and
measures are plural.
Two gallons of paint were spilled in the
accident.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 53
Advanced Applications
Fractions and Portions
• Fractions and portions may be
singular or plural depending on the
nouns to which they refer.
One third of the bonds have been sold.
One third of the job has been completed.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 54
Advanced Applications
A portion of our management team favors
the plan.
A portion of the employees also favor the
plan.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 55
Advanced Applications
Who Clauses
• Verbs in who clauses must agree in
number and person with the nouns
to which they refer.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 56
Advanced Applications
Who Clauses
• In who clauses introduced by one of, the
verb is usually plural because it refers to
the object of the preposition.
Judy Arnold is one of those instructors who
are very professional.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 57
Advanced Applications
Who Clauses
• In who clauses introduced by the only
one of, the verb is singular.
Scott is the only one of our employees who
is trained in computer programming.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 58
Advanced Applications
Phrases and Clauses
• Use a singular verb when the
subject of a sentence is a phrase or
a clause.
Learning to operate all the pieces of
office equipment is a big task.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 59
Advanced Applications
Subject Complement
• Although a complement may differ
from the subject in number, the
linking verb should always agree
with the subject.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 60
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 61
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 62
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
linking
verb
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
plural
complement
Ch. 10 - 63
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
linking
verb
plural
complement
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 64
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
linking
verb
plural
complement
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 65
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
linking
verb
plural
complement
Better:
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 66
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
linking
verb
plural
complement
Better: The worst parts of the job are typing and
copying.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 67
Advanced Applications
The worst part of the job is typing and copying.
singular subject
linking
verb
plural
complement
Better: The worst parts of the job are typing and
copying.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 68
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
1. The number of registered students (is/are)
greater than expected.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 69
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
1. The number of registered students (is/are)
greater than expected.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 70
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
2. Fifty dollars (is/are) the price of the small
table.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 71
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
2. Fifty dollars (is/are) the price of the small
table.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 72
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
3. Two thirds of the businesses (has/have)
already complied with the regulation.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 73
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
3. Two thirds of the businesses (has/have)
already complied with the regulation.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 74
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
4. Professor Katusak is one of those
professors who (get/gets) results with
(her/their) students.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 75
Check your skill . . .
Select the correct verb in this sentence.
4. Professor Katusak is one of those
professors who (get/gets) results with
(her/their) students.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 76
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
1. A record of all equipment makes, models,
and serial numbers are extremely important
in case of fire or theft.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 77
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
1. A record of all equipment makes, models,
and serial numbers are extremely important
in case of fire or theft.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 78
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
1. A record of all equipment makes, models,
and serial numbers is extremely important
in case of fire or theft.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 79
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
2. The time and effort spent in preparing an
inventory is well worth it.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 80
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
2. The time and effort spent in preparing an
inventory is well worth it.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 81
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
2. The time and effort spent in preparing an
inventory are well worth it.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 82
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
3. In attendance at the meeting over the
weekend was the president and all
members of the executive council.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 83
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
3. In attendance at the meeting over the
weekend was the president and all
members of the executive council.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 84
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
3. In attendance at the meeting over the
weekend were the president and all
members of the executive council.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 85
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
4. A summary of all the facts, as well as
financial statements for three years, are
contained in our final report.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 86
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
4. A summary of all the facts, as well as
financial statements for three years, are
contained in our final report.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 87
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
4. A summary of all the facts, as well as
financial statements for three years, is
contained in our final report.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 88
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
5. Every executive, every manager, and every
employee is expected to know and support
the mission statement.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 89
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
5. Every executive, every manager, and every
employee is expected to know and support
the mission statement.
Correct
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 90
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
6. Neither the three new computers nor the
laser printer are working properly.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 91
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
6. Neither the three new computers nor the
laser printer are working properly.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 92
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
6. Neither the three new computers nor the
laser printer is working properly.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 93
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
7. The executive committee have voted
unanimously to recommend cuts.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 94
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
7. The executive committee have voted
unanimously to recommend cuts.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 95
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
7. The executive committee has voted
unanimously to recommend cuts.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 96
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
8. Some of the wage cuts for employees has to
be made immediately.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 97
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
8. Some of the wage cuts for employees has to
be made immediately.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 98
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
8. Some of the wage cuts for employees have
to be made immediately.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 99
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
9. Nobody in management or in the ranks of
employees want to see the company lose
profits.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 100
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
9. Nobody in management or in the ranks of
employees want to see the company lose
profits.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 101
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
9. Nobody in management or in the ranks of
employees wants to see the company lose
profits.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 102
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
10. Either of the two plans submitted by the
environmental groups is acceptable.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 103
Chapter 10 - Quiz
Correct any errors in this sentence. The
sentence may already be correct.
10. Either of the two plans submitted by the
environmental groups is acceptable.
Correct
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 104
END
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e
Ch. 10 - 105