COPY THESE RULES AND COMPLETE THE EXERCISE AGREEMENT RULE 1 When a word refers to one person or...

AGREEMENT

Pick up the handout entitled, “Verb Phrases” from the book case. Read the front side carefully.Note: a particle is an item that has grammatical function but does not clearly belong to one of the major parts of speech, such as up in He looked up the word

Pick up the handout entitled, “How to Find the Subject of a Sentence” from the book case. Read the front side carefully.

Use a clean sheet of paper. Label the page,

“Agreement Rules” We will be adding new

rules to this page each day.

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AGREEMENT RULE 1

When a word refers to one person or thing, it is singular in number. When a word refers to more than one, it is plural in number.

EXERCISE ONE

Number your paper 1-10. After each number, write whether the word is singular or plural.

1. Lawyer2. Bag3. My4. Woman5. Feet6. Books7. Ours8. Weeks9. Sound10.Those

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AGREEMENT RULE 2

A verb agrees with its subject in number.

(1)Singular Subjects take singular verbs.

EXAMPLESMy friend likes algebra.A girl in my

neighborhood plays in the school band.

(2) Plural subjects take plural verbs.

EXAMPLESMy friends like algebra.Several girls in my class

play in the school band.

Generally, nouns ending in –s are plural (friends, girls), but verbs ending in –s are singular (likes, plays).

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AGREEMENT RULE 2

Since the form of the verb used with singular pronouns I and you is regularly the same as the plural form, agreement in number presents problems mainly in third person forms.

SINGULAR PLURAL1ST PERSON I help We help2nd PERSON You help You help3rd PERSON He, she or it helps They

help

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AGREEMENT RULE 2

A verb agrees with its subject in number.

(1)Singular Subjects take singular verbs.

EXAMPLESMy friend likes algebra.A girl in my neighborhood

plays in the school band.

(2) Plural subjects take plural verbs.

EXAMPLESMy friends like algebra.Several girls in my class

play in the school band.

EXERCISE TWO

Number your paper 1-10. Write the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject.

1. He (was, were)2. They (comes, come)3. Children (hurries,

hurry)4. You (has, have)5. She (is, are)6. Teachers (does, do)7. Neighbor (says,

say)8. It (flies, fly)9. Players (goes, go)10.They (looks, look)

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AGREEMENT RULE 3

The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject.

Remember that a verb agrees in number with its subject, NOT with the object of a preposition. The subject is never part of a prepositional phrase.

Compound prepositions such as together with, in addition to, and along with following the subject do not affect the number of the subject.

EXAMPLES

The sign near the glass doors explains the exhibit.

The paintings of Emilio Sanchez were hanging in the gallery.

Anne, together with her cousins, is backpacking in Nevada this summer.

Robert, along with Jean and Tom, has been nominated for class president.

PREPOSITION SONG

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AGREEMENT RULE 3

The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject.

Remember that a verb agrees in number with its subject, NOT with the object of a preposition. The subject is never part of a prepositional phrase.

Compound prepositions such as together with, in addition to, and along with following the subject do not affect the number of the subject.

EXERSICE THREE (VERBAL)

1. The rules in this textbook are guidelines for using standard English.

2. Mastery of these rules leads to improvement in speaking and writing.

3. The correct use of verbs is especially important.

4. Correct spelling, in addition to correct usage of verbs, is an essential writing skill.

5. People in the business world look carefully at letters of application.

6. Letters with nonstandard English do not make a good impression.

a. Is there a phrase between the subject and the verb? (If so, mark through it.) Why?

b. What is the subject?c. What is the verb?d. Do they agree in

number?

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AGREEMENT RULE 4 - 6

RULE 4:The following pronouns are

SINGULAR:each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody


PLURAL:several, few, both, many

RULE 6:The following pronouns may

be either SINGULAR or PLURAL:

Some, all, most, any, none

Let’s Practice!!!

How can we tell which are which?

Singular

Plural

Either

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AGREEMENT RULE 4 - 6


SINGULAR:each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody


PLURAL:several, few, both, many




EXAMPLES

• Each of the athletes runs effortlessly. [each one runs]

Neither of the women is ready to start. [neither one is]

Everyone in my family has enjoyed the games.

Someone in the audience was waving a large flag.

Few of the athletes have qualified.

Several of the runners are exercising.

Many on the team practice daily.

Were both of the games postponed?

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AGREEMENT RULE 6




So, how can these words be either singular or plural?

These pronouns are singular when they refer to a singular word and plural when they refer to a plural word.

RULE 6 EXPLANATION

EXAMPLES

Some of the show is funny. [Some refers to singular show.]

Some of the entertainers are funny. [Some refers to plural entertainers.]

All of the cast looks young. [It looks.]

All of the performers look young. [They look.]

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AGREEMENT RULE 6




So, how can these words be either singular or plural?

These pronouns are singular when they refer to a singular word and plural when they refer to a plural word.

RULE 6 EXPLANATION

EXAMPLES

Most of his jokes sound familiar. [They sound.]

Was any of the criticism positive?

Were any of the reviews positive?

None of the music is catchy.

None of the tunes are catchy.

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TEXERCISE 5

Complete Exercise 5.

Fold your paper in half hotdog-style when you are through.

Be quiet and wait until everyone is done.

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TEXERCISE 5

Complete Practice over Rules 4,5,and 6 (Indefinite Pronouns).

Fold your paper in half hotdog-style when you are through.

Be quiet and wait until everyone is done.

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RULES 7 AND 8: THE COMPOUND SUBJECT

RULE 7:Subjects joined by and take a

plural verb.

The following compound subjects joined by and name more than one person or thing and must take plural verbs.

EXAMPLESLeslie Silko and Mari Evans are poets. [Two persons are]

Imagery and metaphor help poets express their feelings. [Two things help.]

If a compound subject names only one person or thing, the verb must be singular.

EXAMPLESMy pen pal and best friend is my cousin. [One person is]Pumpkin seeds and raisins makes a tasty snack. [The one combination makes.]

In the sentences above, the compound subjects are thought of as units (one person, one snack) and are therefore singular.

Rule 8: Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb.

EXAMPLESAfter dinner, either Anne or Tony loads the dishwasher. [Either Anne or Tony loads the dishwasher, not both.]

Neither the coach nor the principal is happy with the team’s performance. [Neither one is happy.]

PRACTICE:EXERCISE 6

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RULES 9: THE COMPOUND SUBJECT

RULE 9: When a singular

subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.

ACCEPTABLE:Neither the losers nor the winner was happy with the outcome of the match.

ACCEPTABLE: Neither the winner nor the losers were happy with the outcome of the match.

Study for Quiz over these rules.

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RULES 10:

RULE 10: Don’t and Doesn’t

must agree with their subjects.

With the subjects I and you and with plural subjects, use don’t (do not).

With other subjects, use the singular doesn’t (does not).

EXERCISE 8

1. She _____ influence me.

2. This _____ taste sweet.3. He says he ______

want to play.4. These _____ impress

me.5. It _____ look like snow.6. One of them _____

plan to go.7. They _____ want to

help.8. Harold _____ know

about the party.9. One of you _____ have

the right answer.10. Dorothy and Elise

_____ like the new band uniforms.

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RULE 11 COLLECTIVE NOUNS:

RULE 11: Collective nouns

may be either singular or plural.

Collective nouns are singular in form, but they name a group of persons or things.

EXAMPLES

Group CommitteeClub FamilyFlock HerdSwarm PublicJury ArmyAudience AssemblyClass TeamFaculty Feet

Collective nouns are used with plural verbs when the speaker or writer is referring to the individual parts or members of the group acting separately. They are used with singular verbs when the statement refers to the group acting together as a unit.

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EXAMPLES

The class has elected its officers.[Class is thought of as a unit.]

The class have completed their projects.

[Class is thought of as individuals.]

USAGE NOTE:Be sure that any pronoun

referring to the collective noun has the same number as the noun (its in the first example above, their in the second.

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EXERCISE 9

WRITING SENTENCES WITH COLLECTIVE NOUNS.

Select five collective nouns and write five pairs of sentences showing clearly how the nouns you choose may be either singular or plural.

EXAMPLE1. The jury is ready. The jury are still arguing

about themselves.

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RULE 12 PREDICATE NOMINATIVES:

RULE 12: A verb agrees with its

subject, not with its predicate nominative.

The predicate nominative is

a noun or pronoun which follows the verb and describes or renames the subject. It is another way of naming the subject. It follows a linking verb.

When the predicate nominative and the subject are of different numbers, you should always remember that the verb agrees with its subject.

STANDARDThe marching bands are

the main attraction.STANDARDThe main attraction is the

marching bands.

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RULE 13 INVERTED ORDER:

RULE 13: When the subject

follows the verb, as in sentences beginning with there and here and in questions, be careful to determine the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with it.

Each of the following subjects agrees with its verb.

EXAMPLES Here is a list of addresses. Here are two lists of

addresses. There is my notebook. There are my notebooks. Where is Helen? Where is

Walter? Where are Helen and

Walter?

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RULE 13 INVERTED ORDER:

Contractions such as here’s, where’s, how’s, and what’s include the contracted form of is. Do not use one of these contractions unless a singular subject follows it.

NONSTANDARD There’s some important

announcements on the bulletin board.

STANDARDThere are some important announcements on the bulletin board.

STANDARDThere’s a bulletin board covered with important announcements.

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RULE 14WORDS STATING AMOUNT

Words stating amount are usually singular.

A word or group of words stating a weight, a measurement, or an amount of money or time is usually considered as one item and takes a singular verb.

EXAMPLESTwenty dollars is

too much for concert tickets.

Two hours is a long time to wait.

Three fourths of the show is over.

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RULE 14WORDS STATING AMOUNT

Words stating amount are usually singular.

Sometimes, however, the amount is thought of as individual pieces or parts. If so, a plural verb is used.

EXAMPLES

Five of the dollars were borrowed.

Two of the hours were spent in line.

Three fourths of the songs are new.

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RULE 15TITLES

The title of a work of art, literature, or music, even when plural in form, takes a singular verb.

In the examples, notice that each title, as the subject, takes a singular verb, since it is only one work of art.

EXAMPLES

Great Expectations is one of my favorite novels. [one book]

Blue Lines is an early painting by Georgia O’Keefe. [one work of art]

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RULE 16EVERY AND MANY A

Every or many a before a subject calls for a singular verb.

EXAMPLES

Every homeowner and storekeeper has joined the clean-up drive.

Many a litterbug was surprised by the stiff fines.

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RULE 17THE EXCEPTION

A few nouns, although plural in form, take a singular verb.

Some nouns end in s yet are considered singular in meaning. The word news, for example, takes a singular verb.

EXAMPLES

The news of the nominee for Vice-President was a surprise to many observers.

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Names of certain diseases also end in s but are singular nouns:

measles, mumps, rickets

EXAMPLES

Rickets is a serious problem in some countries.

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Words ending in –ics are generally used with a singular verb:athletics, mathematics, physics, civics, economics, politics.

EXAMPLES

Politics is a controversial topic

COPY THESE RULES AND COMPLETE THE EXERCISE AGREEMENT RULE 1 When a word refers to one person or...

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