Download Subject Verb Agreement - Fort Osage High School

ACT English Test:
Punctuation and Usage
COMMAS
1.
Use commas to separate items in a series
Example:
My recipe includes flour, sugar, and water.
**Watch for final commas!
COMMAS
To separate two parallel adjectives
Example:
I can’t believe you’ll sit through this long, dull ACT
lecture!
2.
** Watch that you don’t place a comma after the last
adjective
COMMAS
3. Use commas to set off
parenthetical clauses and phrases.
Example:
Hadleigh, who never misses a
practice, is an excellent basketball
player.
COMMAS
4. Use commas after introductory
phrases
Example:
Having looked forward to cheering in
college her whole life, Miranda took
her regimented schedule with utter
seriousness.
COMMAS
5. Use commas to separate
independent clauses when using a
coordinating conjunction
Example:
The girls were excited for their
senior year, but they knew they
had lots of responsibilities to
meet.
Coordinating Conjunctions
And
Nor
But
Yet
Or
So
For
Comma Splice
 Is
bad! Don’t do it!!!!!!!
 A comma splice is two independent clauses joined
with only a comma!
 Example
 The girls were excited for their senior year, they
knew they had lots of responsibilities to meet.
 DO
NOT CREATE A COMMA SPLICE!!!
DON’T USE A COMMA:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
AFTER coordinating conjunctions (and, for,
or,nor, but, yet, so)
AFTER such or like
BEFORE than
AFTER although
BEFORE parentheses
*** If in doubt, leave it out! If three answer choices
include a comma and one does not, pick the one
without the comma.
Semicolons
Semicolons are used to separate independent
clauses.
I can’t believe she did that; it is just like her!
2. Semicolons are used to separate two independent
clauses that use a conjunctive adverb.
I can’t believe she did that; however, it is just like her!
1.
Colons
The colon is used only as a means of signaling
that what follows is a list, definition,
explanation, or restatement of what has gone
before. However, the clause preceding the colon
must be a complete sentence!
Correct:
The girl knew she had many things to buy at
the store: milk, butter, eggs, and bread.
Incorrect:
Please purchase: milk, butter, eggs, and
bread.
1.
Dashes
1.
Dashes are used to indicate a hesitation or
a sudden break in thought. They give a
special emphasis
Example:
I was certain that my teacher – in fact that all
my teachers – would let me make up my
assignments.
Parentheses
1.
Very uncommon on ACT. Used primarily
for side comments
Example:
I wanted to go scuba diving (I’ve had the dream
since I was little), but the lessons were too
expensive.
Apostrophes
If the noun is singular, just add ‘s. Even if
the singular noun ends in s, still add an ‘s
2. If the noun is plural and ends in s, just
add the ‘
3. If the plural noun is irregular, add ‘s
4. With joint ownership, that last word in
the series is the possessive/if there is
individual ownership, both parts are
possessive
1.
Quotation Marks
1.
Commas and periods ALWAYS belong
inside the quotation marks. Semicolons
and colons ALWAYS go outside quotation
marks. Question marks and exclamation
points go INSIDE the quotation marks
when they are part of the quotation;
otherwise, they go OUTSIDE.
SVA
Explanation
A verb must agree with the noun or
pronoun that is its subject
A verb agrees in number with its subject
A singular subject requires a singular verb; a plural
subject, a plural verb.
SINGULAR
PLURAL
The house has three bathrooms
Cats are almost always
nocturnal
Obscurity
Don’t let intervening words obscure the relationship
between the subject and the verb. Find the subject
and make the verb agree with it!
Example:
A column of wounded prisoners, townspeople, and
“column”
is the
subject struggling over the
exhausted soldiers
was
spotted
horizon.
Common Singular Issues
Singular subjects followed by such words and phrases
as along with, as well as, in addition to, together
with, or with require singular verbs.
Example:
The carrier, together
with three destroyers and two
Singular subject
frigates, was dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea.
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns like anybody, each, either,
everyone, neither, and one are always singular,
and take a singular verb, regardless of intervening
words. Other indefinite pronouns, like all, any, none
or some may be either singular or plural. Both, few,
many, and several are always plural.
Examples:
Neither of my children has an interest in music.
Indefinite pronoun “neither”
always singular
Singular verb
Few of the golfers were professionals.
Indefinite pronoun “few”
always takes plural
Plural verb
Compound Subjects
Compound subjects joined by and usually take a plural
verb. (An exception is a compound subject that
names one person, thing, or idea: Ham and eggs is a
favorite breakfast).
Example:
The Toyota and the Ford are low on gas.
Plural verb
Compound subject
There is/There are
In sentences that begin with there is or there are, the
subject follows the verb, and the verb must agree
with it.
Example:
There are many reasons for the war in the Middle
East.
Plural subject FOLLOWS verb
Joiners
Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular
verb. If one subject is singular and the other plural,
the verb should agree with the nearer subject.
Example:
Either the vegetable or the pan is creating this awful
taste. (singular subjects)
Either the pan or the vegetables are creating this
awful taste. (verb agrees with nearer subject)
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (bunch, committee, family, group,
herd, jury, number, team) may be either singular
or plural, depending upon whether the group is
regarded as a unit or as individuals.
Example:
The number of homeless families increases every
year.
A number of homeless people were ill enough to
require hospitalization.
WATCH VERB TENSES!
Lay, Laid, Laid
1.
Takes an object
I lay the book on the table.
I laid the silverware on the table yesterday.
Lie, Lay, Lain (to recline)
1.
NO object
I think I will lie down now.
Yesterday I lay down.
I would have lain down if I had time.
**on the beach, you don’t “lay out,” you “lie
out.”
Fragments
Watch out for these!
Sentences must have a subject, a verb, and they must
express a complete thought!
Run Ons
Just as unacceptable as an incomplete sentence is a
run on.
A run on sentence is TWO sentences stuck together
without proper punctuation. OR, it can be a clause
that is not appropriately separated from a sentence
punctuation wise.
Pronoun Use
Pronouns
A pronoun must clearly refer to its antecedent (or
referent) in both number and person.
The bank turned Harry down
when he applied for a loan
Singular noun
because its credit department discovered he was without a
job.
The people acted insane, and although no one knew them,
Plural noun
they were amazed
at the behavior!
Pronouns
First
Singular
I, my, me, mine
Plural
we, us
ours, our
Second
you, your, yours
same
Third
he, him, she, her
it, one, his, her
hers, its, one’s
their theirs
Pronouns
First
Nominative
Objective Possesive
I, we
me, us
my, mine;
our, ours
Second
you
you
your, yours
Third
he, she, it
they
him, her, it
them
his, her, hers
its, theirs, theirs
Relative Pronouns: who, whom, that, that, which,
which
Pronouns
Use the Nominative Case:
1. For the subject of a sentence
2. After a linking verb (“to be” forms)
3. Understood comparisons (Gary is taller than they)
Pronouns
Use the Objective Case:
1. For the object of a verb
2. For the object of a preposition
I/Me
Use “I” if the pronoun is part of the subject.
(Mary and I are going to room together)
Use “me” if the pronouns is part of the object.
(Mrs. Smith gave Mary and me an A for our project)
**Throw out the other person and the correct
answer may become obvious
I/Me EXCEPTION
If the sentence uses the linking verbs IS or
WAS, the pronoun following the verb
should be in the subjective case.
It is she.
It was I who failed.
The police officer found out the thief was he.
Their/There
“Their” is always a possessive pronoun and
shows ownership. It is used like “his” or
“her.”
“There” is usually used as an adverb or an
expletive.
Its/It’s
Its is the possessive form of the pronoun “it”
and its should be used similarly to his or
her. “Its’” does not exist!!!!
It’s is a contraction that combines it and is.
Who/Whom
ONLY in reference to people.
WHO is always the subject (so you substitute
“he”)
WHOM is always the object (so you substitute
“him”)
Example:
Who/Whom did you call? (change to “did you call
he/him?”; you called him, so you need “whom”)
MISC…
Than/Then
“then” is an adverb that shows a relationship involving
time.
I was younger and more optimistic then than I am
now.
“than” is a conjunction that shows a relationship
between things.
Jane is taller than I am. Ice cream is a more fattening
dessert than jello.
Affect/Effect
Affect is a verb (to have an effect or influence)
Smoking will affect your health.
Effect is a noun (to cause something to happen)
The ill effects of smoking will be felt for many years.
Can/May AND Farther/Further
Can (to be able to) I can speak two languages.
May (to be allowed to) May I leave the room?
Farther (at a greater distance) I can’t bike any
farther.
Further (to a greater extent) I can’t study any further
tonight
Parallel Form
In a series or list, make sure items are listed or
compared in parallel structure!
Furthermore, in comparisons, make sure that there
is an exhibition of both parallel structure and
logic.
Wrong: To visualize success is not the same as
achieving it
Right: To visualize success is not the same as to
achieve it!
Appropriate Subordination
Backward subordination means that the most important idea
in a sentence has been subordinated to a less important
one.
WRONG: As the tornado struck the house, I was getting
dressed.
RIGHT: As I was getting dressed, the tornado struck
the house.
**the most important idea should be expressed an
independent clause. The least important idea should be
expressed as a modifier, a dependent clause, or a
fragment.
Misplaced Modifiers
Place modifying words, phrases, or clauses next to the
words they modify.
CONFUSED: While eating at the restaurant, Susan’s
beeper went off.
CLEAR: While Susan was eating at the
restaurant, her beeper went off.
Dangling Constructions
A dangling modifier hangs in the air because there is
no logical word in the sentence for it to modify.
INCORRECT: Speeding down the street, several birds
were frightened.
CORRECT: Speeding down the street, Paul
frightened several birds.
ACT Transition Cues

Addition/Continuation also, and, another, besides, finally, likewise, furthermore, in
addition, indeed, moreover, similarly, then, too

Cause and Effect
accordingly, as, as a result, because, consequently, for this
reason, since, then, therefore, thus

Concession certainly, granted that, it is true that, no doubt, of course, still, to be
sure, while, given this, with concession, to concede

Conclusion or Repetition
that is, to repeat, to reinforce

Contrast or limitation although, but, however, if, in contrast, instead, nevertheless,
on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, provided that, still, yet

Example
for example, for instance, in particular, likewise, specifically, that is, to
illustrate, to make clear this x, for clarity

Sequencing immediately, subsequently, consequently, given the aforementioned x,
not withstanding, furthermore, certainly, likewise, clearly,
in other words, in particular, in short, once again,
STYLE
1.
2.
3.
Watch for redundancy!!! (“The school was
established and founded…”)
Watch for relevancy!! Watch for BREVITY!
Watch for verbosity!! Again BREVITY…
TIPS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
On wordiness questions, always select the shortest answer
Always read the “OMIT the underlined portion” option first,
omitting the part that has been underlined. If this option is
grammatically correct and makes sense, go no further.
Questions that include the words “examples” or “illustrates” require
an answer with specific examples.
On “Add On” questions (“If the author were to add..”) underline key
words in the question because the ACT test writers will lead you to
the right choice.
On YES/NO questions, look at the two NOs first and only go to the
YES questions if you can’t eliminate the NOs
Immediately circle “LEAST” in Least Acceptable answers.
BASIC TIPS:
 Look out for numbered ([1]) brackets between
paragraphs. They signal you’ll be asked at least one
question about transitions – pay special attention to
topic sentences here.
 Edit sentences as you read (before looking at
choices)
BASIC TIPS:
 Leave rhetorical questions for last if you are running
low on time.
 All things being equal, assume the underlined
portion is too wordy
 You should be around question #38 after 22
minutes; if you aren’t, focus on usage and mechanics
questions
 DO NOT read the entire paragraph before answering
questions