Transcript Unit 18
Subject and Verb Agreement Unit 18 Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement Singular and Plural Subjects Subjects and Verbs Separated by Intervening words Collective Nouns Either-Or, Neither-Nor Special Cases A Number, The Number Firm Names Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 2 of 17 Singular and Plural Subjects The subject and verb of a sentence must agree. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural or compound, the verb must be plural. The cup is on the table. The cups are on the table. The cup and saucer are on the table. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 3 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. My brother and sister (was, were) home for Easter recess. The student and her parent (is, are) waiting in the reception room. Did you know that this company and its subsidiary (has, have) been considered for a hostile takeover? Mr. Corrales and Ms. Baxter (is, are) members of the same committee. The author and his publicity agent (has, have) mapped out a promotional campaign for the new book. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 4 of 17 Subjects and Verbs Separated by Intervening Words The agreement of the verb with the subject should not be affected by intervening words. Mr. Salerno, who has three assistants, is a busy person. The actor who received the most fan letters was Rocky Riordan. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 5 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Hagit Zacour, one of the directors of our overseas operations, (was, were) just appointed vice president. The chef in charge of salads and desserts (is, are) from France. My vote, although just one of several hundred, (is, are) necessary. Patrice Lytle, who was applauded by hundreds of screaming, adoring fans, (has, have) returned for an encore. The person in charge of repairing the machines (was, were) ill yesterday. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 6 of 17 Collective Nouns When a collective noun is the subject of a sentence, the verb is singular if the group is being referred to as one unit. Any personal pronouns referring to the group are also singular. The verb and pronouns are plural if members of the group are being considered separately. The jury has arrived at a verdict. The jury have been polled for their individual votes. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 7 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The electorate (is, are) indicating (its, their) displeasure at the polls. My company (is, are) offering to pay for the education of (its, their) employees. The law firm (was, were) asked for (its, their) color preferences for the new offices. “This audience (is, are) receptive,” said the entertainer. The committee (was, were) polled as to (its, their) individual votes. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 8 of 17 Either-Or, Neither-Nor When two or more singular subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb is singular. Any pronouns referring to the subjects are also singular. Either she or Isako is sure to have her homework. Neither Jimmy nor Marilyn knows the correct answer. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 9 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Neither my sister nor Angela (has, have) given me (her, their) opinion. I am sure that either Billy or his brother (is, are) not too busy to mow the lawn. Neither my manager nor her assistant (places, place) much value in the new design. Do you think that either Pio or Emily (has, have) an extra key? I don’t think that either Miranda or Lawrence (wants, want) to continue working overtime. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 10 of 17 Special Cases Use a singular verb when a subject contains any of these words: another every no one anybody everybody nothing anyone everyone one anything everything somebody each neither someone either nobody something Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 11 of 17 Special Cases (cont) Everyone knows the rules of the game. Someone from the agency is waiting to see you. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 12 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I hear that no one in the company (has, have) applied for the available position. Each person on the tour buses (was, were) given a special identification badge. Nobody among the prize-winning chefs (has, have) ever tried this recipe. Somebody who lives in one of these three buildings (is, are) moving. Apparently no one in the two classes (knows, know) the correct answer to the last test question. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 13 of 17 A Number, The Number When the number is the subject of a sentence, the verb is singular. When a number is the subject of a sentence, the verb is plural. The number of visitors to the Grand Canyon is increasing. A number of my relatives are coming to our family reunion. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 14 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Unfortunately, the number of members present (is, are) fewer than a quorum. A number of my suits (needs, need) cleaning. Are you surprised that the number of negative votes (has, have) increased? A large number of police officers (was, were) on duty to handle the huge crowds. This year the number of ball players traded (seems, seem) to have increased. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 15 of 17 Firm Names When the subject of a sentence is a firm name, the verb is singular. However, if the persons listed within the firm name are referred to individually, the verb is plural. I work for Jacoby and Florio, which is a law firm. Brillhart, Cruger, and Harkavy are arriving here at 9:45 a.m. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 16 of 17 Tryout Sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Miller, Morton, and Merns (has, have) been a good company for which to work. Karig, Cooley, and Duarte regularly (attends, attend) proxy meetings. Anderson, Barker, Metzenbaum, and Dane (is, are) on vacation. Where (is, are) Hargrove, Wohl, and Tappan located? I work for Tourette and Eshelman, which (boasts, boast) of a reputation for integrity. Unit 18 Subject and Verb Agreement 17 of 17