GRAMMAR UNIT

AGREEMENT – Part One

Making Subject and Verb Agree (Rule 2 a- m pg. 1046 in Literature Book)

Why Can’t Subjects and Verbs Just Agree Not to Disagree?

How can a subject and verb disagree? What’s to disagree about? Only number, my friends.

When the subject and verb of a sentence do not agree in number, a major grammatical error is introduced into writing or speaking.
Subjects and verbs must match up singular to singular or plural to plural: a boy runs and boys run, NOTa boy run or boys runs. Try to remember the one-s rule: in these examples, a boy runs and boys run, the “s” occurs only once.

Following are some things to remember about agreement – see p.1046 for more info.

1. Don’t be “tricked” by words between the subject and the verb.

Incorrect: The sign near the glass doors explain the theme of the exhibit.

Correct: The sign near the glass doors explains the theme of the exhibit.

The subject of the sentence, sign, is singular and requires the singular verb explains. Don’t let the phrase “near the glass doors” fool you into thinking the subject is plural.*You will NEVER find the simple subject in a prepositional phrase.

2. Subjects joined by and require a plural verb.Example: An English teacher and a red pen make a dangerous combination. (Ouch!)

***3. It can be really confusing when using indefinite pronouns that we have come to accept in the spoken language as plural, but are really considered singular and thus require singular verbs.These are words that you will simply have to memorize: anybody, anyone anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something.Example: Has everyone read Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare?

4. Don’t and doesn’t must agree with their subjects. Remember that don’t is a contraction of do not and doesn’t is a contraction of does not. Use don’t (do not) with plural subjects and with I and you.Example: I don’t (do not) know. You don’t (do not) seem happy. Some people don’t (do not) care. Use doesn’t (does not) with other singular subjects. Example: Hedoesn’t (does not) drive. Not He don’t (do not) drive. Donna doesn’t (does not) work.

5.With there is (or there’s) andthere are; where is (where’s) and whereare; and here is (here’s) and here are, the verb depends on the subject that follows.Example: Here is (or here’s) my drawing for the art contest. Here are my drawings for the art contest.Where is (where’s) my new book? Where are my new books? Be careful not to use here’s, where’s orthere’s with a plural subject. Incorrect: Here’s my drawings for the contest.

I know it’s a lot to remember, but keep in mind that most of the time our brains supply us with the correct agreement. However, when writing, one must be sure to use the correct subject-verb agreement, and sometimes what seems to be correct is indeed not correct. To be sure, use the previous rules to check your writing.

Complete the following exercises to practice what you have learned.Just as in any sport, the more you practice, the better you become.

Exercise AIn each of the following sentences, circle the subject and then underline the verb form in parentheses that agrees with the subject.

Example: One of the paper cups (was were) leaking.

HINT: You will never find a simple subject in a prepositional phrase. of the paper cups is a prepositional phrase. One is the subject of the sentence. Try ignoring the prepositionalphrase by crossing it out or placing it in parentheses if that helps. One(of the paper cups)was leaking.

  1. Cosmic rays in this room (is, are) striking us right now.
  2. The cause of her troubles (seem, seems) apparent.
  3. Each of you (has, have) heard this legend.
  4. Neither of the girls (own, owns) a bicycle.
  5. Everyone in my class (knows, know) that!
  6. The fibers of the wood (is, are) then crushed.
  7. Susan (plays, play) the piano.
  8. A few of your friends (were, was) here.
  9. The length of these boats (are, is) twenty feet.
  10. One of these notebooks (belongs, belong) to you.

Another rule to remember about subject-verb agreement is: singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Example: Either the principalor the coachhas to approve it. AND – when a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb. Example: Neither the losers northe winner was happy with the outcome of the match. OR Neither the winner nor the losers were happy with the outcome of the match.

Exercise B In the following sentences, draw a line through each verb that does not agree with its subject, and write the verb form on the line provided. If a sentence is already correct, write C.

Example: areMs. Ogata and her class is taking a field trip.

______1. Both the cha-cha and the rumba are Cuban dances.

______2. Either nachos or celery were served with the guacamole.

______3. Arturo or Beatrice always lead our class discussions.

______4. Either Nuna or Rosalinda are going to meet us.

______5. Have either Andrea or Edna spoken to you?

______6. Neither the players nor the coach were surprised by the win.

______7. Pam and Jamie probably has the directions.

Exercise C Circle the subject in each of the following sentences. Then, underline the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject.

Example: The news of the president’s illness (was, were) a shock to many people.

  1. Fortunately, his injury (doesn’t, don’t) look too serious.
  2. My birthday gift from Uncle Cesar (was, were) two books by Rudolfo Anaya.
  3. Richard (doesn’t, don’t) like to play tennis or racquetball.

Exercise D In each of the following sentences, underline the correct verb form or contraction in parentheses.

Example: (Here’s, Here are) the missing engine part.

The International Club (meet, meets) once a month.

  1. (Where’s, Where are) Sara and Julia?
  2. Here (is, are) the girls.
  3. (Here’s, Here are) the reason.
  4. Where (is, are) the gasoline and clean rags?
  5. (There’s, There are) rags on that shelf.

AGREEMENT – PART TWO – Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronouns and the nouns they refer to, called antecedents, should agree in number, which means pronouns and related nouns must match up in a singular to singular or plural to plural relationship.
The most common mistake in pronoun-antecedent agreement is made in the context of a sentence that refers to people in general or a person in a generic sense. The writer or speaker usually has a single, abstract person in mind but uses a plural personal pronoun to later refer to that generic person.

The easiest solution to the problem of mismatching nouns and pronouns is to change the reference to an abstract person in the singular to people in the plural: NOTA person can always change their ways but Aperson canalways change his or her ways. (A person is singular) Or, better yet, simplify the whole process by changing both the noun and pronoun to plural: People can always change their ways.

Really, it is not so difficult. Basically the same rules of subject-verb agreement apply to pronoun-antecedent agreement. So be sure to review those.

1.When plural words come between a singular antecedent and its pronoun, the pronoun still needs to be singular.Incorrect:Each of the women arranged their work so they could perform two tasks at the same time. Correct:Each of the women arranged her schedule so she could perform two tasks at the same time.

2.With a singular antecedent, use both the feminine and masculine pronoun: Sexist: The average college student will take more than 2,000 exams during his college career. Nonsexist: The average college student will take more than 200 exams during his or her college career.

3.The easiest way to avoid problems (as stated above) is to change singular antecedents to plural and use a plural pronoun: On average, college students will take more than 200 exams during their college careers.

It is time now to practice pronoun-antecedent agreement. REMEMBER to go back and review the rules for subject-verb agreement, as many of them also apply here and you will NEVER find the simple subject in the prepositional phrase.

Exercise A In the following sentences, some of the pronouns and their antecedents are in italics. Draw a line through each italicized pronoun that does not agree with its antecedent, and write the correct pronoun above it.

Example: Incorrect: One of the buildings lost their roof during the tornado.

Correct: One of the buildings lost its roof during the tornado.

  1. If you see either of my sisters, ask them to call me.
  2. Anybody in the first group may present their report now.
  3. Neither of the boys has completed their paper on Cornel West.
  4. Everyone wore their costume to the party.
  5. Not one of the books was missing their cover.
  6. Each of the dogs was looking for their trainer.
  7. Neither of the girls would lend me their book.
  8. Everybody should accept their responsibilities.
  9. Nobody on the girls’ softball team forgot their mitt.
  10. No one wanted their name mentioned in the paper.

Exercise B On the lines provided in each of the following sentences, write the pronoun or pronouns that agree with the antecedent. It might help to circle the antecedent(s).

Example: Neither Shayna nor Ellie has really perfected her backhand.

  1. Either Don or Thomas will write ______report on the origins of classical music.
  2. Ramon and Angelo have finished ______sketches and will begin painting tomorrow.
  3. Either Debbie or Teresa left ______keys lying on the bench.
  4. The coach or the team captains picked up ______clipboards and called the team together.
  5. Mr. Stamos and Ms. Hirota are helping ______students prepare for the science fair.
  6. Charles is someone who sets ______goals high and never backs away from a challenge.

1