Pre-activity: Choose the correct verb in the parenthesis.

A collection of proverbs (seem, seems) to be perfect gift for Kyle on his birthday.

Answer:

•A of proverbs to be perfect gift for Kyle on his birthday.

collection seems

Nicole's T-shirt stall, as well as other stores, (sell, sells) shirts with quirky quotes on them.

Answer:

•Nicole's T-shirt , as well as other stores, shirts with quirky quotes on them.

stall

sells

Subject-Verb Agreement:Intervening

Expressions

A common mistake in subject-verb agreement is mistaking the noun nearest to the verb as its subject. This error is caused by intervening expressions, or phrases and clauses that come between the subject and the verb. Because they intervene, these phrases could lead one to choosing the wrong verb.

Identify the subject the correct verb in the parenthesis.

1. The writers who were invited to the seminar (was, were) oriented by the organizers on what to emphasize during their respective talks.

1. The who were invited to the seminar oriented by the organizers on what to emphasize during their respective talks.

writerswere

2. The facilitators of the workshop (come, comes) up with their spiels on the spot.

2. The of the workshop up with their spiels on the spot.

facilitatorscome

3. The students, including their teacher, (is, are) allowed to clarify with the writers.

3. The , including their teacher, allowed to clarify with the writers.

studentsare

4. The writer Julian Serrano, as well as his colleagues, (encourage, encourages) everyone to read Philippine literature.

4. The Julian Serrano, as well as his colleagues, everyone to read Philippine literature.

writerencourages

5. One of my favorite sayings (is, are) "Carpe diem" -seize the day.

5. of my favorite sayings "Carpe diem" -seize the day.

Oneis

Box the subject and underline the correct verb.

1. Mary, in writing her essays and speeches, (like,likes) to start with a quote.

2. The people of Burundi, which is a country in southeast Africa, (has, have) a saying: "Where there is love, there is no darkness."

3. The Russians, on the otherhand, (has, have) a saying: "Love is evil; you will even fall in love with a goat."

4. The proverb "Even if a baboon wears a gold ring, he's still an ugly thing," which is similar to the Bible's "A leopard cannot change spots," (come, comes) from the Afrikaans.

5. There's a beautiful Japanese saying which goes, "He who treads the path of love (walk, walks) a thousand meters as if it were only one.

1. , in writing her essays and speeches,

to start with a quote.

Answers:Mary

likes

2. The of Burundi, which is a country in southeast Africa, a saying: "Where there is love, there is no darkness."

people

have

3. The , on the otherhand, a saying: "Love is evil; you will even fall in love with a goat."

Russianshave

4. The "Even if a baboon wears a gold ring, he's still

an ugly thing," which is similar to the Bible's "A leopard cannot change spots," from the Afrikaans.

proverb

comes

5. There's a beautiful Japanese which goes, "He who treads the path of love a thousand meters as if it were only one.

saying

walks

Use the following phrases as sentences in the present tense. Make sure that the verb agrees with its subject.

1. the people, as well as their barangay captain

2. My mother, with her friends3. The Language of the Pampanga people

4. The norms of our society5. Metaphor, which is one of the literary devices