ENGLISH 2
SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT
By : Era Purike
Pre-Test
Answer these questions within 2.5 minutes
1.
2.
____ was backed up for miles
on the freeway.
a. Yesterday
b. In the morning
c. Traffic
d. Cars
Engineers ______ for work on
the new space program.
a. necessary
b. are needed
c. hopefully
d. next month
3.
4.
The boy _______ going to the
movies with a friend.
a. he is
b. he always was
c. is relaxing
d. will be
With his friend ______ found
the movie theater.
a. has
b. he
c. later
d. when
Pre-Test
Answer these questions within 2.5 minutes
5.
6.
7.
____, George, is attending the
lecture.
a. Right now
b. Happily
c. Because of the time
d. My friend
8.
_____, Sarah rarely misses her
basketball shots.
a. An excellent basketball player
b. An excellent basketball player is
c. Sarah is an excellent basketball
player
d. Her excellent basketball play
The child _______ playing in
the yard is my son.
a. now
b. is
c. he
d. was
The packages ______ mailed
at the post office will arrive
Monday.
a. have
b. were
c. them
d. just
GRAMMAR RULES FOR SUBJECT AND VERB
AGREEMENT
1
RULES # 1
The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are
always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.
Everyone has done his or her homework.
Somebody has left her purse.
Some indefinite pronouns — such as all, some — are singular or plural
depending on what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or
not?) Be careful choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns.
Some of the beads are missing.
Some of the water is gone.
RULES # 1
On the other hand, there is one indefinite pronoun, none, that can be either
singular or plural; it often doesn't matter whether you use a singular or a
plural verb — unless something else in the sentence determines its number.
(Writers generally think of none as meaning not any and will choose a plural
verb, as in "None of the engines are working," but when something else
makes us regard none as meaning not one, we want a singular verb, as in
"None of the food is fresh.")
None of you claims responsibility for this incident?
None of you claim responsibility for this incident?
None of the students have done their homework.
(In this last example, the word their precludes the use of the singular verb.
RULES # 2
Some indefinite pronouns are particularly troublesome Everyone and
everybody (listed above, also) certainly feel like more than one person and,
therefore, students are sometimes tempted to use a plural verb with them.
They are always singular, though. Each is often followed by a prepositional
phrase ending in a plural word (Each of the cars), thus confusing the verb
choice. Each, too, is always singular and requires a singular verb.
Everyone has finished his or her homework.
You would always say, "Everybody is here." This means that the word is
singular and nothing will change that.
Each of the students is responsible for doing his or her work in the library.
Don't let the word "students" confuse you; the subject is each and each is
always singular — Each is responsible.
RULES # 3
Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along
with are not the same as and. The phrase introduced
by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word
(mayor in this case), but it does not compound the
subjects (as the word and would do).
The mayor as well as his brothers is going to prison.
The mayor and his brothers are going to jail.
RULES # 4
The pronouns neither and either are singular and require singular verbs even
though they seem to be referring, in a sense, to two things.
Neither of the two traffic lights is working.
Which shirt do you want for Christmas?
Either is fine with me.
In informal writing, neither and either sometimes take a plural verb when
these pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with of.
This is particularly true of interrogative constructions:
"Have either of you two clowns read the assignment?" "Are either of you
taking this seriously?" Burchfield calls this "a clash between notional and
actual agreement."*
RULES # 5
The conjunction or does not conjoin (as and does): when nor or or is used
the subject closer to the verb determines the number of the verb. Whether
the subject comes before or after the verb doesn't matter; the proximity
determines the number.
Either my father or my brothers are going to sell the house.
Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the house.
Are either my brothers or my father responsible?
Is either my father or my brothers responsible?
Because a sentence like "Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell
the house" sounds peculiar, it is probably a good idea to put the plural
subject closer to the verb whenever that is possible.
RULES # 6
The words there and here are never subjects.
There are two reasons [plural subject] for this.
There is no reason for this.
Here are two apples.
With these constructions (called expletive
constructions), the subject follows the verb but
still determines the number of the verb.
RULES # 7
Verbs in the present tense for third-person,
singular subjects (he, she, it and anything those
words can stand for) have s-endings. Other
verbs do not add s-endings.
He loves and she loves and they love_ and . . . .
RULES # 8
Sometimes modifiers will get between a subject
and its verb, but these modifiers must not
confuse the agreement between the subject and
its verb.
The mayor, who has been convicted along with
his four brothers on four counts of various
crimes but who also seems, like a cat, to have
several political lives, is finally going to jail.
RULES # 9
Sometimes nouns take weird forms and can fool us into thinking
they're plural when they're really singular and vice-versa.
Consult the section on the Plural Forms of Nouns and the
section on Collective Nouns for additional help. Words such as
glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural (and
require plural verbs) unless they're preceded the phrase pair of
(in which case the word pair becomes the subject).
My glasses were on the bed.
My pants were torn.
A pair of plaid trousers is in the closet.
RULES # 10
Some words end in -s and appear to be plural but are really singular and
require singular verbs.
The news from the front is bad.
Measles is a dangerous disease for pregnant women.
On the other hand, some words ending in -s refer to a single thing but are
nonetheless plural and require a plural verb.
My assets were wiped out in the depression.
The average worker's earnings have gone up dramatically.
Our thanks go to the workers who supported the union.
The names of sports teams that do not end in "s" will take a plural verb: the
Miami Heat have been looking … , The Connecticut Sun are hoping that new
talent … .
RULES # 11
Fractional expressions such as half of, a part of, a percentage of, a majority
of are sometimes singular and sometimes plural, depending on the meaning.
(The same is true, of course, when all, any, more, most and some act as
subjects.) Sums and products of mathematical processes are expressed as
singular and require singular verbs. The expression "more than one" (oddly
enough) takes a singular verb: "More than one student has tried this."
Some of the voters are still angry.
A large percentage of the older population is voting against her.
Two-fifths of the troops were lost in the battle.
Two-fifths of the vineyard was destroyed by fire.
Forty percent of the students are in favor of changing the policy.
Forty percent of the student body is in favor of changing the policy.
Two and two is four.
Four times four divided by two is eight.
RULES # 12
If your sentence compounds a positive and a negative subject and one is
plural, the other singular, the verb should agree with the positive subject.
The department members but not the chair have decided not to teach on the
holiday.
It is not the faculty members but the president who decides this issue.
It was the speaker, not his ideas, that has provoked the students to riot.
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in
each of the following sentences. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). EXERCISES 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Last week went fishing for trout at the nearby mountain lake.
A schedule of the day's events can be obtained at the front desk.
A job on the day shift or the night shift at the plant available.
The new computer program has provides a variety of helpful
applications.
The box can be opened only with a special screwdriver.
The assigned text for history class it contains more than twenty chapters.
The papers in the wastebasket should be emptied into the trash can
outside.
Departure before dawn on a boat in the middle of the harbor.
Yesterday found an interesting article on pollution.
The new machine is processes 50 percent more than the previous
machine.
Key Answer EXERCISES 1
1. I missing subject
2. C
3. I missing verb
4. I double verb
5. C
6. I double subject
7. C
8. I missing verb
9. I missing subject
10. I double verb
(could be he went)
(could be is available)
(has and provides)
(textand it)
(could be departure is scheduled)
(could be I found)
(is and processes)
Prepositional phrases as subject
An object of a preposition is a noun, pronoun, gerund or noun clause
that comes after a preposition, such as in, at, of, to, by, behind, on,
and so on, to form a prepositional phrase.
(After his exams) Tom will take a trip (by boat).
This sentence contains two objects of prepositions. Exams is the
object of the preposition after, and boat is the object of the preposition
by
A preposition is followed by a noun, pronoun, gerund or noun clause
that Is called an object of the preposition. If a word is an object of a
preposition, it is not the subject
Each of the following sentences contains one or more prepositional
phrases. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the
prepositional phrases that come before the verb. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). EXERCISES 2
1. The interviews (by radio broadcasters) were carried live by the station.
2. In the last possible moment before takeoff took his seat in the airplane.
3. At the neighborhood flower shop, flowers in quantities of a dozen or a
half dozen can be delivered for free.
4. The progressive reading methods at this school are given credit for the
improved test scores.
5. For the last three years at various hospitals in the county has been
practicing medicine.
6. In the past a career in politics was not considered acceptable in some
circles.
7. Shopping in the downtown area of the city it has improved a lot in recent
years.
8. At the building site the carpenters with the most experience were given
the most intricate work.
9. For the fever and headache took two aspirin tablets.
10. The report with complete documentation was delivered at the
conference.
Key Answer EXERCISES 2
1. C
2. I missing subject
3. C
4. C
5. I missing subject
6. C
7. I double subject
8. C
9. I missing subject
10. C
(could be he took)
(could be the doctor has been practicing)
(shopping and it)
(could be she took)
APPOSITIVES
Appositives can cause confusion in structure questions on the
TOEFL test because an appositive can be mistaken for the
subject of a sentence. An appositive is a noun that comes
before or after another noun and has the same meaning.
Sally, the best student in the class, got an A on the exam.
In this example Sally is the subject of the sentence and the best
student in the class can easily be recognized as an appositive
phrase because of the noun student and because of the
commas. The sentence says that Sally and the best student in
the class are the same person. Note that if you leave out the
appositive phrase, the sentence still makes sense (Sally got an
A on the exam).
Each of the following sentences contains an appositive. Underline
the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the appositive phrases.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
EXERCISES 3
1. The son of the previous owner the new owner is undertaking some fairly
broad changes in management policy.
2. Last semester, a friend, graduated cum laude from the university.
3. Christmas, 25th December, is a special holiday for family.
4. At long last, the chief executive officer, has decided to step down.
5. Tonight's supper, leftovers from last night, did not taste any better tonight
than last night.
6. The only entrance to the closet, the door was kept locked at all times.
7. In the cold of winter, a wall heating unit, would not turn on.
8. The new tile pattern, yellow flowers on a white background, really
brightens up the room.
9. The high-powered computer the most powerful machine of its type, was
finally readied for use.
10. A longtime friend and confidant, the psychologist was often invited over
for Sunday dinner.
Key Answer EXERCISES 3
1. C
2. I missing subject
3. C
4. I missing subject
5. C
6. C
7. I missing subject
unit)
8. C
9. I missing comma
10. C
(could be Bob, a friend)
(could be Mr. Smith, the chief executive officer)
(could be the electric heater, a wall heating
(computer, the most powerful)
PRESENT PARTICIPLES
A present participle is the -ing form of the verb (talking, playing). In structure
questions on the TOEFL test, a present participle can cause confusion
because it can be either a part of the verb or an adjective. It is part of the verb
when it is preceded by some form of the verb be.
The man is talking to his friend.
VERB
In this sentence talking is part of the verb because it is accompanied by is. A
present participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of
the verb be.
The man talking to his friend has a beard.
ADJECTIVE
In this sentence talking is an adjective and not part of the verb because it is
not accompanied by some form of be. The verb in this sentence is has.
PRESENT PARTICIPLES
present participle is the -ing form of the verb. The
present participle can be (I) part of the verb or
(2) an adjective. It is part of the verb when it is
accompanied by some form of the verb be.
It is an adjective when it is not accompanied
by some form of the verb be.
The boy is standing in the corner.
The boy standing in the corner was naughty
Each of the following sentences contains one or more present
participles. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle
the present participles and label them as adjectives or verbs. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). EXERCISES 4
1.
2.
The companies offering the lowest prices will have the most customers.
Those travelers are completing their trip on Delta should report to Gate
Three.
3. The artisans were demonstrating various handicrafts at booths throughout
the fair.
4. The fraternities are giving the wildest parties attract the most new pledges.
5. The first team winning four games is awarded the championship.
6. The speaker was trying to make his point was often interrupted vociferously.
7. The fruits were rotting because of the moisture in the crates carrying them to
market.
8. Any students desiring official transcripts should complete the appropriate
form.
9. The advertisements were announcing the half-day sale received a lot of
attention.
10. The spices flavoring the meal were quite distinctive.
Key Answer EXERCISES 4
1. C
2. I double verb
3. C
4. I double verb
5. C
6. I double verb
7. C
8. C
9. I double verb
10. C
(are completing and should report)
(are giving and attract)
(was trying and was often interrupted)
(were announcing and received)
PAST PARTICIPLES
Past participles can cause confusion in structure questions on the
TOEFL test because a past participle can be either an adjective or a
part of a verb. The past participle is the form of the verb that appears
with have or be. It often ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular
past participles in English.
The family has purchased a television.
VERB
The poem was written by Paul.
VERB
In the first sentence the past participle purchased is part of the verb
because it is accompanied by has. In the second sentence the past
participle written is part of the verb because it is accompanied by was.
PAST PARTICIPLES
A past participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by
some form of be or have.
The television purchased yesterday was expensive.
ADJECTIVE
The poem written by Paul appeared in the magazine.
ADJECTIVE
In the first sentence purchased is an adjective rather than a verb
because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a
verb, was, later in the sentence). In the second sentence written is an
adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form
of be or have (and there is a verb, appeared, later in the sentence).
PAST PARTICIPLES
A past participle often ends in -ed, but there are also many
irregular past participles. For many verbs, including -ed
verbs, the simple past and the past participle are the
same and can be easily confused. The -ed form of the
verb can be (I) the simple past (2) the past participle of a
verb, or (3) an adjective.
She painted this picture.
She has painted this picture.
The picture painted by Karen is now in a museum
Each of the following sentences contains one or more past
participles. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle
the past participles and label them as adjectives or verbs. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). EXERCISES 5
1. The money was offered by the client was not accepted
2. The car listed in the advertisement had already stalled
3. The chapters were taught by the professor this morning will be on next
week's exam.
4. The loaves of bread were baked in a brick oven at a low temperature for
many hours.
5. The ports were reached by the sailors were under the control of a foreign
nation.
6. Those suspected in the string of robberies were arrested by the police.
7. The pizza is served in this restaurant is the tastiest in the county.
8. The courses are listed on the second page of the brochure have several
prerequisites.
9. All the tenants were invited to the Independence Day barbecue at the
apartment complex.
10. Any bills paid by the first of the month will be credited to your account by
the next day.
Key Answer EXERCISES 5
1. I double verb
2. C
3. I double verb
4. C
5. I double verb
6. C
7. I double verb
8. I double verb
9. C
10. C
(was offered and was not accepted)
(were taught and will be)
(were reached and were)
(is served and is)
(are listed and have)
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the
following sentences. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I). EXERCISES 6
1.
For three weeks at the beginning of the semester students with fewer than the
maximum number of units can add additional courses.
2. On her lunch hour went to a nearby department store to purchase a wedding gift.
3. The fir trees were grown for the holiday season were harvested in November.
4. In the grove the overripe oranges were falling on the ground.
5. The papers being delivered at 4:00 will contain the announcement of the
president's resignation.
6. A specialty shop with various blends from around the world in the shopping mall.
7. The portraits exhibited in the Houston Museum last month are now on display in
Dallas.
8. With a sudden jerk of his hand threw the ball across the field to one of the other
players.
9. Construction of the housing development it will be underway by the first of the
month.
10. Those applicants returning their completed forms at the earliest date have the
highest priority.
Key Answer EXERCISES 6
1. C
2. I missing subject
3. I double verb
4. C
5. C
6. I missing verb
7. C
8. I missing subject
9. I double subject
10. C
(could be she went)
(were grown and were harvested)
(could be is in the shopping mall)
(could be he threw)
(construction and it)
Post-Test
Answer these questions within 2.5 minutes
1.
2.
The North Platte River ____
from Wyoming into Nebraska.
a. it flowed
b. flows
c. flowing
d. With flowing water
_____ Biloxi received its name
from Sioux word meaning “first
people.”
a. The city of
b. Located in
c. It is in
d. The tour included
3.
A pride of lions ______ up to
forty lions, including one to
three males, several females,
and cubs.
a. can contain
b. it contains
c. contain
d. containing
4.
_____ tea plant are small and white.
a. The
b. On the
c. Having flowers the
d. The flowers of the
Post-Test
Answer these questions within 2.5 minutes
5.
6.
The tetracyclines,____ antibiotics, 7.
are used to treat infections.
a. are a family of
b. being a family
c. a family of
d. their family is
Any possible academic assistance
8.
from taking stimulants _____
marginal at best.
a. it is
b. there is
c. is
d. as
Henry Adams, born in Boston,
______ famous as historian
and novelist.
a. became
b. and became
c. he was
d. and he became
The major cause ______ the
pull of the Moon on the Earth.
a. the oceans tides are
b. of ocean tides is
c. of the tides in the ocean
d. the oceans tides
Post-Test
Answer these questions within 1,5 minutes
9.
10. A computerized map of the
Still a novelty in the late
freeways using information
nineteenth century, ____ limited to
gathered by sensors
the rich.
embedded in the pavement
a. was
_____ on a local cable channel
b. was photography
during rush hours.
c. it was photography
a. airs
d. photography was
b. airing
c. air
d. to air
thank you