Transcript Verbs! Glorious Verbs!

Verbs! Glorious Verbs!
MRS. WILLIAMS
Keeping the Harmony!
 First, you must make subjects agree with
their verbs in number and in person.
 If you use a singular subject, use a singular
verb; if you use a plural subject use a plural
verb.
 Let’s look at some examples!
Subject-Verb Agreement Examples
Do these subject and verbs agree?
1. My favorite bakery sell 12 different kind of
bagels.
2. Brad spends hours at basketball practice.
3. In weightlifting contests, competitors lifts
heavy barbells.

 Let’s Practice
The Problem of Prepositions
 One problem comes from not using the right
word as your subject. Mentally disregard any
prepositional phrases that come after the
subject.
 The tray of ice cubes (has, have) fallen on
the kitchen floor.
 The tray (has, have) fallen on the kitchen
floor.
Pesky Prepositions
 Mr. Lilly, along with his dogs Pretzel and
Popcorn, (was, were) walking down Hillcrest
Road.
 Again mentally cross off the prepositional
phrase-no matter how long it is
 Mr. Lilly (was, were) walking down Hillcrest
Road.
 Let’s Practice
Problem Pronouns
 When indefinite pronouns are the subject of
the sentence, you need to look at the
individual pronoun.
 “Several scouts are [ not is] in the stands at
tonight’s game,” whispered the coach.
Pronoun Problems Continued
 The problem with indefinite pronouns is that a few
of them are considered to be singular, even though
they indicate a plural number.
 Everybody is [not are] here, so we can get started
on the trip.
 No one is [ not are] going to complain if you want
to pick up the tab for tonight’s meal.
Pronouns Continued
 Five pronouns (all, any, most, none, and
some) sometimes take a singular verb and
sometimes take a plural verb.
 In each case, you have to look at the object
of the preposition to decide whether to use a
singular or plural verb.
 “Some of the money is [ not are] missing!”
cried the teller.
 Let’s Practice
Compounding the Problem: Compound Subjects
 Compound subjects (subjects joined by and)
take a plural verb.
 Mary and Mark (are, is) here.
 Mr. and Mrs. Claxton (are, is) joining us for
an informal dinner tonight.
Compound Subjects Continued
 Here’s an exception: If you have two or more
subjects joined by and- and the subjects are
thought of as one unit- then use a singular
verb.
 Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite kind of
sandwich.
 Is spaghetti and meatballs the special
tonight?
Compound Subjects Continued
 Second Exception: Singular subjects joined
by or or nor take a singular verb.
 My teacher or my adviser (is, are) here to
help me pick my new classes.
 The butcher, the baker, or the candlestick
maker (is, are) coming to tomorrow’s career
fair.
Compound Subject Continued
 Third Exception: Plural Subjects joined by
or or nor take a plural verb.
 The horses or the pigs are making too much
noise tonight.
Compound Subjects Continued
 Fourth Exception: If you have one singular
subject and one plural subject you look at
the subject that is closer to the verb.
 My cat or my three dogs are coming with me
on the trip.
 My three dogs or my cat is making me itch
all the time.
 Let’s Practice
Special Situations
 The phrase the only one of those uses a
singular verb
 The only one of those people I feel
comfortable with is Gail Prince.
 The phrase one of those uses a plural verb
 Gail is one of those people who always
listen when I have a problem.
Special Situations
 Many, every, and more than one use
singular verbs
 Every wife tries to help her husband
understand.
 More than one person is upset about the
outcome of the election.
Special Situations
 Collective nouns name groups, such as cast,
fleet, or gang.
 Use a singular verb if you mean that the
individual members of the group act or think
together (they act as one unit).
 The couple is renewing its donation of
$50,000 for scholarships.
Special Situations
 Use a plural verb if you mean that the
individual members of the group act or think
separately (they have different opinions or
actions).
 The couple were cleared of the charges of
embezzlement of $50,000.
Special Situations
 When a particular measurement or quantity
(time, money, weight, volume, food, or
fractions) is considered as one unit or group,
then use a singular verb.
 Ten dollars to see this movie is highway
robbery!
Special Situations
 When you use the words pants, trousers,
shears, spectacles, glasses, tongs, and
scissors alone, you use a plural verb.
 These pants are not too tight.
 Put the words a pair of in front of these
terms and you will use a singular verb.
 This pair of pants is too tight.
Special Situations
 A title of a creative work always acts as a
singular subject, even if a noun within the
title is plural.
 “Glory Days” describes high school
experiences.
 The names of countries and cities require
singular verbs.
 New Orleans hosts Mardi Gras every
spring.
 Let’s Practice