Focus on Writing Ch 22

Focus on Writing: Chapter 22 : 

Focus on Writing: Chapter 22 Subject-Verb Agreement

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement : 

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement A sentence’s subject must agree with its verb. Singular subjects must have singular verbs Plural subjects must have plural verbs. The chart below demonstrates agreement with regular verbs.

Compound Subjects : 

Compound Subjects Compound subject – a subject that consist of more than one word. When the compound subject is connected by the word AND, the subject becomes plural. John and Sue decide to go to the theater.

Compound Subjects : 

Compound Subjects Compound subject – a subject that consist of more than one word. When the compound subject is connected by the word OR, the verb agrees with the part of the subject closer to it. John or Sue decides to go to the theater. John or his friends decide to go to the theater.

Irregular Verbs : 

Irregular Verbs The verbs be, have, and do are irregular. Irregular verbs change forms, not simply add or remove an “s” as regular verbs do.

Prepositional Phrases : 

Prepositional Phrases Do not let prepositional phrases between the subject and the verb get in your way. The first step when looking at any sentence for subject-verb agreement is to remove any prepositional phrases. The information included in them will in no way effect what verb should be used. The cupids in the painting symbolize lost innocence. The cupids in the paintings symbolize lost innocence. Volunteers, including people like my father, help paramedics in the community. Volunteers, including people like our fathers, help paramedics in the community.

Collective Nouns : 

Collective Nouns Collective Nouns – name a group of people or things but are singular. Should be used with singular verbs. The class decides to go to the theater. A group of lions is resting under the trees.

Indefinite Pronouns : 

Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite Pronouns – do not refer to a particular person, place, or idea. Most are singular and should be used with singular verbs. One of the streams no longer has any fish Neither of the candidates seems willing to act.

Indefinite Pronouns : 

Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite Pronouns – do not refer to a particular person, place, or idea. A few are plural and should be used with plural verbs. Many know that pollution is hard to control. Few of the participants are allowed on stage.

Indefinite Pronouns : 

Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite Pronouns – do not refer to a particular person, place, or idea. A few can be singular or plural depending on the context. This is the one instance where you will pay attention the object of a preposition. All of the newspaper is allowed on stage. All of the participants are allowed on stage.

Verbs before Subjects : 

Verbs before Subjects A verb always agrees with its subject – regardless of where it is in the sentence. Sometimes, is in a question, a verb can be split. “There” can NEVER be the subject of a sentence. Are the twins identical or fraternal? There are ten computers in the lab. How does Congress override a veto?

1. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

1. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: All of my friends say that my biggest problem be that I waste time. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) am B) is C) are D) none of the above

1. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

1. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: All of my friends say that my biggest problem be that I waste time. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) am B) is C) are D) none of the above

2. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

2. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: My friend Jocelyn have a word for it: procrastination. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) has B) have C) none of the above

2. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

2. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: My friend Jocelyn have a word for it: procrastination. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) has B) have C) none of the above

3. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

3. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: The teacher give us a quiz every week. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) gived B) gives C) giving D) none of the above

3. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

3. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: The teacher give us a quiz every week. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) gived B) gives C) giving D) none of the above

4. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

4. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: Here is two copies of the article. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) am B) are C) be D) none of the above

4. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

4. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: Here is two copies of the article. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) am B) are C) be D) none of the above

5. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

5. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: The article have good ideas for saving energy. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) have had B) having C) has D) none of the above

5. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

5. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: The article have good ideas for saving energy. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) have had B) having C) has D) none of the above

6. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

6. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: Where is the cars parked? Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) are B) be C) am D) none of the above

6. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

6. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: Where is the cars parked? Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) are B) be C) am D) none of the above

7. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

7. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: No one like to fill out tax forms. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) have liked B) likes C) liking D) none of the above

7. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

7. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: No one like to fill out tax forms. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) have liked B) likes C) liking D) none of the above

8. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

8. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: The athletes who qualify for the race gets T-shirts. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) gotten B) get C) getting D) none of the above

8. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

8. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: The athletes who qualify for the race gets T-shirts. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) gotten B) get C) getting D) none of the above

9. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

9. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: Neither Betty nor the children eats meat. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? A) eat B) has eaten C) eating D) none of the above

9. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: : 

9. Fix the subject-verb agreement problem: Neither Betty nor the children eats meat. Which word should be used in place of the underlined verb? ANSWER: A) eat B) has eaten C) eating D) none of the above