Transcript Agreement of Subject and Verb

Agreement of Subject and
Verb
Determining the difference
between standard and
nonstandard English.
Non-Standard English
• Nonstandard English is the term used
to describe variations in usage that
are limited to a particular region,
group, or situation. Examples of
nonstandard English are local speech
dialects and slang words that do not
become widely used.
Standard vs. Nonstandard
Were you on time?
He doesn’t care.
They played well.
Can you teach me
the rules?
• Hilda and she won
easily.
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Was you on time?
He don’t care.
They played good.
Can you learn me
the rules?
• Hilda and her won
easily.
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Subject – Verb Rule #1
• A Verb agrees with its subject
in number.
1.) Singular subjects take singular
verbs.
Ex. My friend likes algebra.
Subject-Verb Rule #1
2.) Plural subjects take plural
verbs.
Ex. My friends like algebra.
Subject-Verb Rule #2
• The number of the subject is not
changed by a phrase following the
subject.
• Remember that a verb agrees in number with its
subject, not with the object of the preposition. The
subject is NEVER part of a prepositional phrase.
Ex.
• The sign near the glass windows explains the exhibit.
• The paintings of Emilio Sanchez were hanging in the
gallery
Subject-Verb Rule #2
• Compound prepositions such as
together with, in addition to, and along
with following the subject do not affect
the number of the subject.
• Ex. Anne, together with her cousins,
is backpacking in Nevada this
summer.
Class Exercise: What have you
learned?
• Using the Correct Number of Verbs in
Sentences with Phrases Following the
Subjects.
Question #1
1. The confusion among shoppers (is,
are) certainly understandable.
2. Is
Question #2
• The traditional system of indicating
quantities (makes, make) shopping a
guessing game.
Question #3
• For example, the quantity printed on
yogurt containers (tells, tell) the
number of ounces in a container.
Question #4
• A shopper on the lookout for bargains
(does not, do not) know whether liquid
or solid measure is indicated.
Question #5
• Different brands of juice (shows, show) the
same quantity in different ways.
Question #6
• One can with a label showing twentyfour ounces (contains, contain) the
same quantity as a can with a label
showing one pint eight ounces.
Singular Pronouns
• The following pronouns are singular:
each, either, neither, one, everyone,
everybody, no one, nobody, anyone,
anybody, someone, somebody.
• Examples:
1. Each of the athletes runs effortlessly.
2. Neither of the women is ready to
start.
Plural Pronouns
• The following pronouns are plural:
several, few, both, many.
• Example:
1. Few of the athletes have qualified.
2. Several of the runners are exercising.
Singular and Plural
• The pronouns some, all, most, any,
and none may be either singular or
plural.
1. Some of the show is funny.
2. Some of the entertainers are funny.
3. All of the cast looks young.
4. All of the performers look young.
The Compound Subject
• Subjects joined by and take a plural
verb.
• Examples:
1. Leslie Marmon Silko and Mari Evans
are poets.
2. Imagery and metaphor help poets
express their feelings.
The Compound Subject
• Singular subjects joined by or or nor
take a singular verb.
Examples:
1.After dinner, either Anne or Tony
loads the dishwasher.
2.Neither the coach nor the principal is
happy with the team’s performance.
The Compound Subject
• When a singular subject and a plural
subject are joined by or or nor, the
verb agrees with the subject nearer
the verb.
Examples:
1. Neither the losers nor the winner was happy with
the outcome of the match.
2. Neither the winner nor the losers were happy with
the outcome of the match.
** Because these statements are awkward, they
should be avoided when possible. **