HUNTER COLLEGE READING/WRITING CENTER: GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
The Verb System: Subject-Verb Agreement: (Exercise A)
1.
Read the paragraph below carefully. Then circle the subjects
and underline the verbs. If a verb does not agree with its
subject, cross it out and write in the correct form above it.
Besides harming their own bodies, smokers also endanger the
good health of people around them. Cigarette smoke, either from a
smoker's exhalation or straight from the cigarette, contain carbon
monoxide, a highly poisonous gas. Nobody appreciate breathing in
poisonous gas. And it is not just the health factors that keeps
people away from smokers. Even nonsmokers who do not know about
carbon monoxide is usually bothered by the smoke because it makes
breathing difficult. In addition, a lot of smoke in closed rooms
are often irritating to the eyes. Many people is also disgusted
when they smells a smoker's clothes or see the yellow nicotine
stains on a smoker's front teeth. Finally, not too many people
enjoy kissing somebody whose mouth taste like an ashtray.
2.
Read the paragraph below and fill in the blanks with a verb
that agrees with its subject.
Fast-food restaurants________________become more popular in
America in recent years. Groups of people________________to burger
and chicken places each day by the millions. Often, on one strip
of road, there will be five or six places that_________________hungry
customers. Each and every restaurant_________________a member of a
larger chain that_______________The raw products and materials.
Prices________________also controlled by the parent company. Of all
the foods on the menus, hamburgers consistently_________________more
than any other item. This is because American customers______________
____hamburgers more than almost any other food. The nutritional
value of these foods______________not the highest possible, but
the food tastes so good that most people_________________happy to eat
fast-food often. Besides, nobody_____________________nutrition to
convenience all the time.
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3.
Read each sentence below. If all subjects and verbs agree,
place a C on the line below the sentence. If there are errors of
agreement, rewrite the sentence correctly.
1.
The hands of the clock says 3:15._________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2.
Given her recent experience, she now agrees that alcohol is a_____
dangerous drug.___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3.
Whenever it rain, I wears a coat._________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4.
The trains arrive daily at 2:30 and at 5:00.______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5.
The telephone operator who told me the arrival times were
unnecessarily rude._______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6.
Among the great Indian chiefs are Chief Joseph of the Nez
Percé.____________________________________________________________________
7.
One of their great hopes in the last several years have been
a trip to Scotland._______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8.
The glaucous gull and the western gull is often found inland
during the stormy winter months.__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9.
Fruit juice and seltzer combines to make a refreshing drink.
__________________________________________________________________________
10.
Pie and ice cream have always been our favorite dessert.__________
__________________________________________________________________________
11.
Each Saturday and Sunday morning is dedicated to sleeping
late._____________________________________________________________________
12.
Tom and Liz, who also happens to be married to each other,
wears glasses.____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
13.
Neither a graphic artist nor three proofreaders has been able
to improve this poster.___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
14.
Either the camp leader or the campers themselves are required
to clean the mess hall after each meal.___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
15.
The team is voting for team captain right now.____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
16.
The presidential committee differ on the question of increased
Medicare benefits.________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
17.
Good news often go unreported.____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
18.
Anybody taller than six feet know it can be difficult to find
clothes that fits.________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
19.
It is mathematics that cause me the most trouble in college.
__________________________________________________________________________
20.
The end of those last few college weeks arouses a strange
mixture of gladness and sorrow.___________________________________________
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HUNTER COLLEGE WRITING CENTER : GRAMMAR AND
MECHANICS
The Verb System: Subject-Verb Agreement: (Exercise B)
CHOOSING THE CORRECT VERB
Circle the verb that agrees in number with the
subject in each
of the following sentences.
1. Jack and Jill (is, are) both lawyers.
2. Children's stories (contains, contain) images of horror and create fear.
3. Neither Henry nor his teachers (was, were) present at the assembly.
4. Each of the members (is, are) ready for a new election.
5. The team (is, are) boarding the plane at 6:00 a.m.
6. A good pair of running shoes (costs, cost) quite a bit more than oldfashioned sneakers.
7. One of Shakespeare's most popular plays (is, are) Romeo and Juliet.
8. At the back of the book (is, are) an envelope which contains pictures.
9. There (is, are) a lot left to be done.
10. Where (is, are) the members of the Senior Committee?
11. An individual's right of freedom of speech (is, are) an important
Constitutional guarantee.
12. He is a man who (protects, protect) his family.
13. It's said that politics (makes, make) strange bedfellows.
14. A pair of jeans (is, are) comfortable to wear.
15. Either my parents or I (am, is, are) going to Europe this summer.
16. The jury (is, are) meeting now, so a decision should be reached soon.
17.
Two Gentlemen of Verona (is, are) one of Shakespeare's plays.
18. TV news (sensationalizes, sensationalize) all important events.
19. Both Newsweek and Time (covers, cover) major news stories.
20. President and Mrs. Clinton, as well as some Cabinet members, (is, are)
staying at Camp David.
21. Neither the coaches not the captains (was, were) available for an
interview.
22. One hundred dollars (is, are) a lot to pay for a pair of shoes.
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CORRECTING INCORRECT SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Read the following paragraph carefully. Correct any
errors in
subject-verb agreement by crossing out the incorrect
verb and writing
in the correct form above it.
(1) Should one live in an apartment or a house? (2) There is
advantages to both alternatives. (3) For the individuals or couples
who lacks enough funds to make a down payment on a house--a
sizeable sum these days--an apartment is the logical choice.
(4) Depending on the amount of money one has, apartments are
available in a variety of locations. (5) Moreover, they boasts a
seemingly endless combination of features: from washer and dryer to
sauna bath and pool to planned social activities. (6) In general,
an apartment is easier to maintain than a house. (7) There is no
lawns to mow, no snow to shovel, and no roofs to repair. (8) An
apartment, with its smaller floor space and fewer rooms, are easier
to clean. (9) Moreover, an apartment provides easier access to
one's neighbors, but this can be both a blessing and a curse.
(10) The purchase of a house, on the other hand, usually signal an
improvement in one's financial position. (11) A transient no
longer, the homeowner can experience the pride of possession that
are denied the apartment dweller. (12) The homeowner has more space
and greater privacy. (13) Added to these advantages are the tax
break that comes with owning a house, since the interest on the
mortgage is deductible. (14) After the first few years of
residence, the homeowner can say with pride that he own the house.
(15) Overall, many Americans respond to this issue in a predictable
cycle. (16) The husband and wife who begins in an apartment will
purchase a house and raise a family and then return to an apartment
after the children have grown.
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HUNTER COLLEGE READING/WRITING CENTER: GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
Punctuation and Capitalization: Using the Comma: (Exercise A)
Insert necessary commas. At least one sentence is correct.
1.
Mail your requests for the article to Gregory V. Bennett 642 Fifth
Avenue Greenville Alabama 36037 before March 30 1988.
2.
After Grandmother turned off the light the twins could see the full
moon shining through the open window.
3.
Please serve Pat some sausage scrambled eggs toast and grits.
4.
Richard is bringing his boat but Harold will be in charge of the
fishing party.
5.
Before the Smiths left on vacation they painted their house didn't they?
6.
Their den is a warm cozy room with comfortable furniture and a
fireplace.
7.
In your opinion should students who miss more than four class meetings
be dropped from the course?
8.
Webster Music Center which is on Pace Boulevard sells both pianos and
guitars.
9.
On November 22 1963 John F. Kennedy President of the United States was
assassinated in Dallas Texas.
10.
Any person who saves energy should be commended.
11.
Tom has gone to work yet Linda is still at home isn't she?
12.
In place of broccoli you may substitute spinach or green peas.
13.
Harry have you read the assignment for American history class?
14.
The children spent the afternoon swimming fishing and drinking lemonade.
15.
When the hot syrup boiled over the stove became sticky.
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HUNTER COLLEGE READING/WRITING CENTER: GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
Punctuation and Capitalization: Using the Comma: (Exercise B)
Insert commas wherever necessary in the following sentences. Correct
any comma errors in the following sentences. If the sentence is
correctly punctuated, write C in the blank.
1.
The children wanted to go to school today for they
were having a party.
___
They had to buy candy cookies soda and napkins for
the party.
___
Since it was a Halloween party they also had to
wear costumes.
___
One petite feminine little girl was dressed as
Dracula.
___
At nine fifteen small angels trooped into the
classroom.
___
Although it was a rainy day everyone had a good
time.
___
The children decided that they would like to have
a party every week.
___
Of course the teacher explained that was not
possible.
___
The children were very disappointed but the teacher
was firm.
___
Then the young children demanded to be allowed to
sing in the classroom dance in the schoolyard and
parade around the cafeteria.
___
11.
By twelve their teacher wanted to cry.
___
12.
Having driven her to the brink of rage the class
quieted down.
___
The students had misbehaved so they had to be
punished.
___
The crestfallen subdued students received a
lesson in socialization.
___
Good behavior is boring but worthwhile.
___
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
13.
14.
15.
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HUNTER COLLEGE READING/WRITING CENTER: GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS
Nouns and Pronouns: Pronoun Reference (Exercise A)
Instructions: Correct each error in pronoun reference.
For example:
Incorrect:
If we examine the matters carefully, you will find
that things are as I say they are.
Correct:
If you examine the matter carefully, you will find
that things are as I say they are.
1. I love cantelopes, but it upsets my stomach.
2. Why should I contribute?
You don't get anything from it.
3. The artist should clean his brushes each time he finishes painting.
will find the brushes ready to use the next time you decide to paint.
You
4. The student usually applies himself to his school work the first month of
classes. They then relax and neglect their assignments.
5. Many partygoers seem to enjoy a game of charades.
clues for his partners.
He likes dramatizing
6. The youth of the nation should be given a chance to prove that he can be
responsible. They sometimes act unwisely because they are rebelling against
what he believes is unreasonable domination.
7. The newspaper is sometimes considered to be the voice of the people. But
when they contain new stories against the best interests of the people, you
begin to wonder whether they speak for the people or their own personal
interests.
8. A person who buys this car receives a guarantee that says you are not
charged for parts which have to be replaced, only the labor for replacing
them.
9. Many mistakes are made by new drivers, but the experienced driver could
make just as many if they were not careful.
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