Transcript Agreement! - LHS EGE 9

Agreement!
Subjects and Verbs
Pronouns and Antecedents
Verb Tense
Subject / Verb Agreement

The subject of a sentence must agree
with the sentence’s verb in terms of the
following:
◦ Number
A singular subject must take a singular
verb
 A plural subject must take a plural verb

Finding the Subject!
What the sentence is about
 Oftentimes……

◦ The noun or pronoun immediately next to
the verb:
1)
2)
3)
The dog ran to the school.
He is in charge of the team.
Quickly, the boys ran away from Boo
Radley.

Sometimes……
◦ The noun or pronoun that the sentence is about
but has been separated from the verb by a phrase
or clause
The Congressmen of the United States are
in session.
2) Although sweet, the lollypops in the bag
are also tart.
3) Despite the fact that he was late, the boy
with the sandy blond hair and the late
passes was not sweating!
1)
HINT!!!!

The subject of a sentence is NEVER in a
prepositional phrase (group of word acting
as a unit but do not have a subject, verb, or
complete thought) or in an interrupting
clause.
The ships in the harbor were painted red
The dog who was baying at the moon was
black.
 Although she was smart, her grades, which
were not very good, were reflective of her
efforts.


Your Subject Must Agree With Your
Verb!
1)
2)
3)
Find the subject of your sentence
Find the verb of your sentence
Make them agree in terms of number!
Modeling

A family of Celtic werewolves was off for
a picnic on the cliffs.
Subject = family
 Family is singular (ONE group)


A family of Celtic werewolves was off
for a picnic on the cliffs.
Modeling #2

The nymph who left these footprints is
usually much more cautious.

The nymph who left these footprints
is usually much more cautious.
Modeling #3

The robot you’ve been sending flowers to
is wearing his heart on his sleeve.

The robot you’ve been sending flowers
to is wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Group Practice

An entourage of hangers-on (was / were)
sprawling in the lounge.

One thing after another (has / have)
thrown the troll off-kilter.

The afternoon of the fauns (flies / fly) past
in a flash of hoofs.
Mas!

This house with its skeletons in the
closets (is / are) all there is to my abode.

An assortment of odd chocolates and soft
toffees (was / were) congealed in her
alligator shoes.

The coven of baby witches and warlocks
(has / have) been moving in next door.
Weird Nouns

All of the following are plural in form
(have an –s) but take SINGULAR verbs
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Physics
Ethics
Mathematics
News
Mumps
Etc.
More Weird Nouns

All of the following have 2 moving part
but act as a singular item. They take
PLURAL verbs
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Scissors
Pliers
Tweezers
Handcuffs
Tights
Etc.
WARNING!!!

Confusing items and
exceptions to follow……

If two subjects refer to the same person
or thing, the verb is SINGULAR

My sidekick and best friend has arrived.
The person arriving is both a sidekick AND a best
friend. This is NOT saying that 2 different people
have arrived!


Macaroni and Cheese is yummy.
Gabor’s colleague and compatriot plays a mean alto
sax.

If each or every comes before singular
subjects, they take a SINGULAR verb
Each huzzah and hallelujah was
bouncing off the dome
 Every mace and hatchet was safely in its
place.


NOT were bouncing or were safely!

Two or more singular subjects joined by
or or nor receive a SINGULAR verb
The nymph or the lamia was twining her
legs around this tree.
 The robot or the dentist has requested
a tango
 Elphaba or Glinda is the best witch


When subjects are joined with
◦
◦
◦
◦
either….or
neither….nor
not only….but also
not…but

the verb agrees with the subject CLOSEST
to it.

Neither nuclear war nor the meteor
showers have hurt the dahlia crop this year.

Either history or PE is my favorite class.

Not the vampires but the sandman has
made a mess of this schloss.

Not the maestro but his sycophants have
decided to blow this joint.
Mas!

Everyone and his uncle (is / are) studying
podiatry.

Not only astrophysics but also music (is /
are) my favorite.

Neither Betty nor Buffy (sends / send) me
love letters anymore.
Group Practice

Either John or Sam (was / were) the first
to arrive.

My best friend and wife (is / are) here.

Not green beans but pumpkin (is / are)
my favorite vegetable.
Pronoun – Verb Agreement

If the subject of the sentence is a
pronoun, the same rules apply with
agreement.

He is in town.

They are cool.
But…Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns do not refer to any
one specific person.

They are….not definite or…..
INDEFINITE!!!
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Each
 Either
 Neither
 Everybody
 Everyone
 Anybody
 Somebody
 No one

Examples

Neither of them was eager for the
concert to end.
◦ It is really tempting to say “neither ARE..”

Someone has found the secret to life!
◦ You wouldn’t say “someone ARE…”
Singular OR Plural Indefinites




Any
All
Such
None

All of the classes ARE here for the assembly

All of the class IS here.
◦ Meaning students in a class
Examples
Is all of the cake devoured?
 Are all of the pastries gone?

Have any of you made up your minds?
 Are any of you guys with the shaggy
shoes interested in running around the
lake?

Group Practice

Each and every student in the class (was /
were) on time today.

Any of the flowers (is / are) fine with me.

All of the songs (is / are) the best I’ve
heard.
Mas!

Everyone (brings / bring) their binders to
class as requested.

Such crazy students (is / are) most
disruptive.

Either Guillaume or Herb (fancies / fancy)
the girl with the snakes for hair.