Download Other Confusing Subjects

Name
Lesson
4
Date
Other Confusing Subjects
Reteaching
Collective nouns name groups of people or things. Examples include council, flock,
and family. If a collective noun subject refers to the group as a unit, it takes a singular
verb. If the noun refers to members of the group as individuals, it takes a plural verb.
The orchestra is world-famous. (seen as one)
On break, the orchestra are all over the building. (seen separately)
Phrases or clauses that serve as subjects of sentences always take singular verbs.
Auditioning for the orchestra is not an easy experience.
Some nouns ending in –s appear to be plural but are singular in meaning and
therefore take a singular verb. Examples include measles and molasses. Nouns
ending in –ics, such as mathematics and physics, are almost always singular. A
few such words—ethics and acoustics for example—can be singular or plural
depending on the context.
Acoustics is the study of sound.
The acoustics in this hall provide an excellent setting for the orchestra.
Certain nouns ending in –s, such as scissors, pants, shorts and glasses, take plural
verbs even though they name one thing.
Numerical amounts and titles of works of art, literature, or music are considered
singular. Fractional numbers are singular when they refer to a singular noun and
plural when they refer to a plural noun.
Pictures at an Exhibition is on the program. Two-thirds of it has been played.
Using Verbs That Agree with Problem Subjects
In each sentence, underline the subject and the form of the verb that agrees with
it. If the subject is a fractional number, underline twice the word it refers to.
1. Twenty minutes of exercise (is, are) recommended by many experts in the
health field.
3. “A penny saved is a penny earned” (is, are) a proverb by Benjamin Franklin.
4. (Is, Are) $50 a fair price for a ticket to a hockey game?
5. Whether we will be allowed to lift off before the other planes on the runway
(has, have) not yet been decided.
6. Astrophysics (is, are) concerned with the physical qualities of heavenly bodies.
7. The realistic Nighthawks (was, were) painted by Edward Hopper in 1942.
8. Four-tenths of the voters (has, have) not voted today.
9. To find my lost contact lens (is, are) my top priority at the moment.
10. The jury (has, have) been allowed to go to their homes finally.
11. Aerobics (is, are) designed to improve one’s cardiovascular system.
12. Well-sharpened scissors (cut, cuts) cleanly through the cloth.
13. One-fifth of the winter (is, are) behind us.
14. Cleaning these pots and pans (require, requires) real scrubbing.
106 GRAMMAR, USAGE, AND MECHANICS WORKBOOK
For use with Pupil’s Edition pp. 138–140
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
CHAPTER 5
2. A pair of pheasants (was, were) sitting in the long grass.
Name
Lesson
4
Date
Other Confusing Subjects
More Practice
A. Using Verbs That Agree with Problem Subjects
In each sentence, underline the verb that agrees in number with the subject.
1. Burmese Days (describe, describes) life in the Far East before World War II.
2. The staff at Valley Lake Day Camp (hold, holds) one meeting each week.
3. Raking leaves into the streets (is, are) allowed through November.
4. For Debra, physics (is, are) a passion.
5. Carrying all those boxes into the garage (seem, seems) like a big job.
6. Two-thirds of the crackers (is, are) crushed.
7. The League of Women Voters (was, were) registering all eligible voters in town.
8. The news often (depress, depresses) us with reports of violent events.
9. Putting too many purchases on charge cards (is, are) a dangerous practice.
10. Ten minutes (seem, seems) like an eternity at times.
11. “Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?” (is, are) a line from Romeo and
Juliet that is often misunderstood.
12. To bring in a consultant at this stage of the proceedings (strike, strikes) me as a
waste of money.
B. Writing Sentences
Complete each of these sentences by adding a present-tense verb as described in
the parentheses. Add any other needed words.
EXAMPLE (singular verb)
1. (singular verb)
Three-tenths of
the wall is already painted.
Our baseball team ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. (plural verb)
Our baseball team ___________________________________________________________________
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
3. (plural verb)
Four-fifths ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. (singular verb)
Four-fifths ______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. (singular verb)
The dance committee ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. (plural verb)
The dance committee ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
For use with Pupil’s Edition pp. 138–140
GRAMMAR, USAGE, AND MECHANICS WORKBOOK
107
CHAPTER 5
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name
Lesson
4
Date
Other Confusing Subjects
Application
A. Proofreading for Subject-Verb Agreement
Proofread this paragraph for errors in subject-verb agreement. Draw a line through
each incorrect verb. Then draw this proofreading symbol next to the word and
^
write the correction above the error.
The soccer club in town form a travel team every year. Advertising for the
team are an easy task. Eighteen students from the high school plays for the
travel team. A committee from the club chooses which students will play. News
of the committee’s choices travel quickly around the school. The team practices
are long and grueling. Three miles are the usual distance of the practice runs.
The uniform shorts is blue, while the uniform shirt is white. The crowd that
watches the games are always very enthusiastic. This encourages the team
because traveling 50 miles or more to get to games are not unusual. Simple
mathematics tell us that an average of 150 people attend the weekly games.
B. Using Confusing Subjects Correctly in Writing
Write a short sports article about a sport you like, as if reporting on an event. In the
article use each of the phrases below as subjects of sentences, as indicated. In
addition, use at least one noun clause as a subject.
The coaching staff (used with singular verb)
The coaching staff (used with plural verb)
The news
10,000 fans
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
108 GRAMMAR, USAGE, AND MECHANICS WORKBOOK
For use with Pupil’s Edition pp. 138–140
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
CHAPTER 5
_____________________________________________________________________________________________