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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.
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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: • The dogran to the school. • Heis in charge of the team. • Quickly, the boysran 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. • Although sweet, the lollypops in the bag are also tart. • Despite the fact that he was late, the boy with the sandy blond hair and the late passes was not sweating!
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 shipsin the harbor were painted red • The dogwho 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! • 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 familyof Celtic werewolves was off for a picnic on the cliffs.
Modeling #2 • The nymph who left these footprints is usually much more cautious. • The nymphwho left these footprintsis usually much more cautious.
Modeling #3 • The robot you’ve been sending flowers to is wearing his heart on his sleeve. • The robotyou’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 safelyin its place. • NOT were bouncing or were safely!
Two or more singular subjects joined by orornor 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 Glindais 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.
