Download problems in agreement - Merrillville Community School

Get Ready for Class
Bellringer and complete it
 Whiteboard
 Rag
 Marker if you didn’t bring your
own!

PROBLEMS IN SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT
Goal: I will be able to
identify and correct errors in
subject verb agreement.
Phrases Between S & V

The number of subject does
NOT change by a phrase
following the subject
Examples
The hero of those folk tales is
Coyote.
 The successful candidate,
along with two of her aides,
has entered the auditorium.

Examples
Scientists from all over the
world have gathered in
Geneva.
 The crystal pitcher, oozing
water droplets, was cracked
along the base.

All, Any, More,
Most, None, Some

If the subject is one of these
indefinite pronouns its number
will be determined by the
object of the preposition after
the indefinite pronoun subject
Example
Most of the essays were
graded.
 Most of this essay was
graded.

PRACTICE TIME
Identify the form of the verb
in parentheses that agrees
with its subject.
A tidal wave, despite is
name, (is/are) not caused by
the tides.
A tidal wave, despite is
name, (is/are) not caused by
the tides.
Earthquakes beneath the
sea (causes/cause) most
tidal waves.
Earthquakes beneath the
sea (causes/cause) most
tidal waves.
A network of warning signals
(alerts/alert) people in
coastal areas of an
approaching tidal wave.
A network of warning signals
(alerts/alert) people in
coastal areas of an
approaching tidal wave.
The tremendous force of the
tidal waves sometimes
(causes/cause) great
destruction.
The tremendous force of the
tidal waves sometimes
(causes/cause) great
destruction.
Walls of earth and stone
along the shore (is/are) often
too weak to protect coastal
villages.
Walls of earth and stone
along the shore (is/are)
often too weak to protect
coastal villages.
Some tidal waves, according
to this encyclopedia article,
(travels/travel) more than
five hundred miles an hour.
Some tidal waves, according
to this encyclopedia article,
(travels/travel) more than
five hundred miles an hour.
Tidal waves in the open
ocean generally (does/do)
not cause much interest.
Tidal waves in the open
ocean generally (does/do)
not cause much interest.
The height of tidal waves
there often (remains/remain)
low.
The height of tidal waves
there often
(remains/remain) low.
However, waves up to one
hundred feet high
(occurs/occur) when tidal
waves hit land.
However, waves up to one
hundred feet high
(occurs/occur) when tidal
waves hit land.
The scientific name for tidal
waves (is/are) tsunamis.
The scientific name for tidal
waves (is/are) tsunamis.
PROBLEMS IN SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT
Goal: I will be able to
identify and correct errors in
subject verb agreement.
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
A pronoun that does not
refer to a definite
person, place, thing, or
idea is called an
INDEFINITE PRONOUN
Singular Indefinite Pronouns








Anybody
Anyone
Anything
Each
Either
Everybody
Everyone
Everything








Neither
Nobody
No one
Nothing
One
Somebody
Someone
Something
Examples
Each of the newcomers was
welcomed to the city.
 Neither of these papayas is
ripe.
 Does anybody on the bus
speak Arabic?

Practice Time
Choose the form of the verb
in parentheses that agrees
with its subject.
Neither of the movies
(was/were) especially funny.
Neither of the movies
(was/were) especially funny.
Everybody in those classes
(gets/get) to leave early.
Everybody in those classes
(gets/get) to leave early.
Someone among the store
owners (donates/donate) the
big trophy each year.
Someone among the store
owners (donates/donate)
the big trophy each year.
Each of the Jackson
brothers (studies, study)
dance.
Each of the Jackson
brothers (studies, study)
dance.
No one on either team
(was/were) ever in a playoff
before.
No one on either team
(was/were) ever in a playoff
before.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns

Always take a plural verb
 Both
 Few
 Many
 Several
Example
Few of our neighbors have
parakeets.
 Many of them keep dogs as
pets.

Special Indefinite Pronouns
These can be either singular
or plural. ALL-ANY-MOREMOST-NONE-SOME
 Check the object of the
preposition that comes after
the subject.

Examples

All of the fruit is ripe.
 All
is singular because fruit is
singular

All of the pears are ripe.
 All
is plural because pears is
plural
PRACTICE TIME
Choose the form of the verb
in parentheses that agrees
with its subject.
Some of the harvest
(has/have) been sold.
Some of the harvest
(has/have) been sold.
All of the new research on
dreams (is/are) fascinating.
All of the new research on
dreams (is/are) fascinating.
Most of our dreams
(occurs/occur) toward
morning.
Most of our dreams
(occurs/occur) toward
morning.
Most of the research
(focuses/focus) on the cycle
known has rapid eye
movement.
Most of the research
(focuses/focus) on the cycle
known has rapid eye
movement.
None of last night’s dreams
(is/are) clear to me.
None of last night’s dreams
(is/are) clear to me.
Review Indefinite Rules



Singular Indefinite PN take singular verbs
Plural Indefinite PN take plural verbs
all, any, more, most, none, some can be
either singular or plural depending on
their meaning in the sentence. Use the
object of the preposition to decide if it
should be singular or plural
PRACTICE TIME
All the Indefinite Pronouns,
plus the basics.
Choose the form of the verb
in parentheses that agrees
with its subject
Many people throughout the
world (claims/claim) to have
seen objects like this.
Many people throughout the
world (claims/claim) to have
seen objects like this.
However, no one
(knows/know) for sure what
they are.
However, no one
(knows/know) for sure what
they are.
Some (resembles/resemble)
huge plates or saucers.
Some (resembles/resemble)
huge plates or saucers.
Not surprisingly, many
(calls/call) them flying
saucers.
Not surprisingly, many
(calls/call) them flying
saucers.
Since 1947, all of these
objects (has/have) been
officially called unidentified
flying objects, or UFOs.
Since 1947, all of these
objects (has/have) been
officially called unidentified
flying objects, or UFOs.
Many (has/have)
investigated many unusual
UFO sightings.
Many (has/have)
investigated many unusual
UFO sightings.
The U.S. Air force
(was/were) responsible for
conducting many
investigations for the
government.
The U.S. Air force
(was/were) responsible for
conducting many
investigations for the
government.
Government records
(shows/show) that more
than twelve thousand
sightings were reported
between 1948 and 1969.
Government records
(shows/show) that more
than twelve thousand
sightings were reported
between 1948 and 1969.
Most reported sightings
(has/have) turned out to be
fakes but others remain
unexplained.
Most reported sightings
(has/have) turned out to be
fakes but others remain
unexplained.
None of the official reports
positively (proves/prove) that
UFOs come from outer
space.
None of the official reports
positively (proves/prove)
that UFOs come from outer
space.
PROBLEMS IN SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT
Goal: I will be able to
identify and correct errors in
subject verb agreement.
COMPOUND SUBJECTS
There are two rules to
remember!
Subjects Joined by AND
Subject joined by AND usually
take a plural verb
 Our dog and cat get baths in
the summer.
 Mr. Duffy and his daughters
have gone fishing.

Exception to the first rule
A compound subject that
names only one person or
thing takes a singular verb
 A famous singer and dancer
is going to speak at our drama
club meeting.

Subject joined by OR / NOR

If both subjects are singular,
the verb is singular
 The
geologist or her assistant
is due to arrive tonight.
Subject joined by OR / NOR

If both subjects are plural, the
verb is plural
 Either
mice or squirrels are
living in our attic.
Subject joined by OR / NOR

If one subject is singular and
the one is plural
 Find
the subject closest to the
verb and match the verb to that
subject.
EXAMPLE
A book or flowers usually
make an appropriate gift.
 Flowers or a book usually
makes an appropriate gift.

PRACTICE TIME
Choose the form of the verb
in parentheses that agrees
with its subject
(Is / Are) the brown bear and
the polar bear related?
(Is / Are) the brown bear
and the polar bear related?
My guide and companion in
Bolivia (was / were) Pilar.
My guide and companion in
Bolivia (was / were) Pilar.
Neither pens nor pencils
(is / are) needed to mark the
ballots.
Neither pens nor pencils
(is / are) needed to mark the
ballots.
Mrs. Chang and her
daughter (rents / rent) an
apartment on Main Street.
Mrs. Chang and her
daughter (rents / rent) an
apartment on Main Street.
Index cards or a small tablet
(is / are) handy for taking
notes.
Index cards or a small tablet
(is / are) handy for taking
notes.
Iron and calcium (needs /
need) to be included in a
good diet.
Iron and calcium (needs /
need) to be included in a
good diet.
(Has / Have) the sandwiches
or other refreshments been
served yet?
(Has / Have) the sandwiches
or other refreshments been
served yet?
Fruit and cheese
(tastes / taste) good
together.
Fruit and cheese
(tastes / taste) good
together.
During our last visit to
Jamaica, a map or a
guidebook (was / were) my
constant companion.
During our last visit to
Jamaica, a map or a
guidebook (was / were) my
constant companion.
Either Japanese poetry or
Inuit myths (is / are) going to
be the focus of my report.
Either Japanese poetry or
Inuit myths (is / are) going to
be the focus of my report.
The club president or the
officers (meets / meet)
regularly with the sponsors.
The club president or the
officers (meets / meet)
regularly with the sponsors.
Proofreading for Subject
Verb Agreement
All Rules So Far
Identify each verb that does
not agree with its subject.
Then write the correct form
of the verb.
One expert in the field of
sports have described
soccer as the world’s
favorite type of football.
Have to HAS
Some sports writers has
estimated that there are over
thirty million registered soccer
players around the globe.
Has to HAVE
Youth leagues and coaching
clinics has helped make
amateur soccer the fastestgrowing team sport in the
United States.
Has to HAVE
In Dallas, Texas, neither
baseball nor American football
attract as many young players
as soccer does.
Attract to ATTRACTS
Also, more colleges now
has varsity soccer teams
than have football teams.
Has to HAVE
This increase in soccer fans
are a trend that started in
1967, when professional
teams began playing in the
United States.
Are to IS
Additional interest were
generated when the U.S.
Youth Soccer Association
was formed.
Were to WAS
Both males and females
enjoys playing this sport.
Enjoys to ENJOY
In fact, by the 1980s, many
of the soccer teams in the
country was women’s
teams.
Was to WERE
In the past, professional
soccer were more popular
abroad, but the United States
hosted the World Cup in 1994.
Were to WAS
Get Ready for Class
Bellringer and complete it
 Whiteboard
 Rag
 Marker if you didn’t bring your
own!

Other Problems in Subject
Verb Agreement
Goal: I will be able to
identify and correct errors in
subject verb agreement.
COLLECTIVE NOUNS
A collective noun may be
singular or plural depending
on its meaning in a sentence
 A collective noun is singular in
form but names a group of
persons, animals, or things.

Common Collective Nouns









Audience
Chorus
Committee
Crew
Faculty
Family
Jury
Team
Band









Brood
Flock
Herd
Litter
Pack
Collection
Fleet
Set
batch
Collective Nouns

Takes a singular verb when
the noun refers to the group
as a unit.

The class has decided to have a
science fair in November.

My family plans to attend the party.
Collective Nouns

A collective noun takes a
plural verb when the noun
refers to the individual parts or
members of the group.

Hint: the word “their” is often in the
sentence if the collective noun is
plural
Examples of Plural Collective Nouns
The class were divided in their
opinions of the play.
 My family are coming from all
over the state for the reunion.

INVERTED SENTENCE


When the subject comes after the
verb, find the subject and make sure
that that the verb agrees with it.
The subject usually follows the verb
in questions and sentences
beginning with here or there
Examples
Where was the cat?
 Where were the cats?
 Does Jim know the Chens?
 Do the Chens know Jim?

EXAMPLES
Here is my umbrella.
 Here are our umbrellas.
 There is a scary movie on TV.
 There are scary movies on
TV.

BE CAREFUL

Here’s – There’s – Where’s
contain the verb is and should
be used only with singular
subjects.
EXAMPLES

Incorrect
 There’s

our new neighbors.
Correct
 There’s
our new neighbor.
 There are our new neighbors.
PRACTICE TIME
Let’s practice those few
subject verb agreement
rules. Identify the correct
verb form of the verb in
parentheses.
There (is / are) at least two
solutions to this complicated
Chinese puzzle.
There (is / are) at least two
solutions to this complicated
Chinese puzzle.
The soccer team (was /
were) all getting on different
buses.
The soccer team (was /
were) all getting on different
buses.
(Is / Are) both of your
parents from Korea?
(Is / Are) both of your
parents from Korea?
Here (comes / come) the six
members of the decorations
committee for the dance.
Here (comes / come) the six
members of the decorations
committee for the dance.
Here (is / are) some apples
and bananas for the picnic
basket.
Here (is / are) some apples
and bananas for the picnic
basket.
There (is / are) neither time
nor money for that project.
There (is / are) neither time
nor money for that project.
(Here’s / Here are) the social
studies notes I took.
(Here’s / Here are) the social
studies notes I took.
At the press conference,
there (was / were) several
candidates for mayor and
two for governor.
At the press conference,
there (was / were) several
candidates for mayor and
two for governor.
The family (has / have)
invited us over for a dinner
to celebrate Ted’s birthday.
The family (has / have)
invited us over for a dinner
to celebrate Ted’s birthday.
Here (is / are) some masks
carved by the Haida people.
Here (is / are) some masks
carved by the Haida people.
More Rules to Know
Other Problems in Subject
Verb Agreement
Goal: I will be able to
identify and correct errors in
subject verb agreement.
Singular Nouns Ending in ‘S
Some nouns that are singular
end with the letter ‘s.
 These are still singular nouns
and take a singular verb

EXAMPLES




Electronics is a branch of physics.
Civics is being taught by Mr. Brown.
Measles is the most unpleasant
disease I’ve ever had.
The news was not encouraging.
AMOUNT Singular

An expression of an amount
(a measurement, percentage,
fraction) may be singular or
plural, depending on how it is
used.
AMOUNT

A word or phrase stating an
amount is singular when the
amount is thought of as a unit.



Fifteen dollars is enough for the CD.
Sixteen ounces equals one pound.
Is two weeks long enough for a hiking
trip?
AMOUNT Plural

Sometimes, the amount is thought of
as individual pieces or parts. If so, a
plural verb is used.


Ten of the dollars were borrowed.
Two of the hours were spent at the
theater.
Fraction or Percentage

A fraction or a percentage is singular
when it refers to a singular word


One fourth of the salad is gone.
and plural when it refers to a plural
word.

Forty percent of the students are new.
Expressions of Measurement

Expressions of measurement such as
length, weight, and area are usually
singular.

Ten feet is the height of a
regulation basketball hoop.
 Seventy-five pounds is the
maximum baggage weight for this
airline.
Title of Creative Works

Even when in plural form, the
title of a creative work, the
name of an organization, or
the name of a country or city
generally takes a singular
verb.
EXAMPLES




World Tales is a collection of folk tales
retold by Idries Shah.
Tonya’s painting Sunflowers was inspired
by the natural beauty of rural Iowa.
Friends of the Earth was founded in 1969.
Is Marble Falls a city in central Texas?
DON’T & DOESN’T

The word don’t is a contraction of do
not. Use don’t with plural subjects
and with the pronouns I and you.



The children don’t seem nervous.
I don’t understand.
Don’t you remember?
DON’T & DOESN’T

The word doesn’t is a contraction of
does not. Use doesn’t with singular
subjects except the pronouns I and
you.



Kim doesn’t ride the bus.
He doesn’t play tennis.
It doesn’t snow here.
PRACTICE TIME
Let’s practice those few
subject verb agreement
rules. Identify the correct
verb form of the verb in
parentheses.
The Friends (is / are) a book
about a girl from the West
Indies and a girl from
Harlem.
The Friends (is / are) a book
about a girl from the West
Indies and a girl from
Harlem.
Two cups of broth (seems /
seem) right for the recipe.
Two cups of broth (seems /
seem) right for the recipe.
Fifteen feet (was / were) the
length of the winning long
jump.
Fifteen feet (was / were) the
length of the winning long
jump.
Navarro and Company
(is / are) selling those
jackets.
Navarro and Company
(is / are) selling those
jackets.
The National Council of
Teachers of English (is / are)
holding its convention in our
city next year.
The National Council of
Teachers of English (is / are)
holding its convention in our
city next year.
Mumps (is / are) a highly
infectious disease.
Mumps (is / are) a highly
infectious disease.
Three hours of practice
(is / are) not unusual for the
band.
Three hours of practice
(is / are) not unusual for the
band.
Artic Dreams (was / were)
written by Barry Lopez.
Artic Dreams (was / were)
written by Barry Lopez.
Two weeks of preparation
(has / have) been enough.
Two weeks of preparation
(has / have) been enough.
A dollar and a half (is / are)
the cost of a subway ride.
A dollar and a half (is / are)
the cost of a subway ride.
PROBLEMS IN SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT
Goal: I will be able to
identify and correct errors in
subject verb agreement.
PRACTICE TIME
ALL THE RULES
Identify the correct verb form
of the verb in parentheses.
Seventy-five cents (is / are)
not enough to buy the
Sunday newspaper.
Seventy-five cents (is / are)
not enough to buy the
Sunday newspaper.
Everyone in her family
(prefers / prefer) to drink
water with dinner.
Everyone in her family
(prefers / prefer) to drink
water with dinner.
Allen and his parents
(enjoys / enjoy) basketball.
Allen and his parents
(enjoys / enjoy) basketball.
Jan (doesn’t / don’t) know
the rules of volleyball.
Jan (doesn’t / don’t) know
the rules of volleyball.
Neither the microphone nor
the speakers (works / work)
as well as we had hoped.
Neither the microphone nor
the speakers (works / work)
as well as we had hoped.
There (is / are) 132 islands
in the state of Hawaii.
There (is / are) 132 islands
in the state of Hawaii.
Many California place
names (comes / come) from
Spanish.
Many California place
names (comes / come) from
Spanish.
The principal or her
assistant (is / are) the one
who can help you.
The principal or her
assistant (is / are) the one
who can help you.
Home economics (is / are) a
required course in many
schools.
Home economics (is / are) a
required course in many
schools.
A flock of sheep (was /
were) grazing on the hill.
A flock of sheep (was /
were) grazing on the hill.
Proofreading for Subject
Verb Agreement
Identify each verb that does
not agree with its subject.
Then write the correct form
of the verb.
There surely is few young
artists as successful as
Yani.
Is to ARE
In fact, the People’s
Republic of China regard
her as a national treasure.
Regard to REGARDS
She have shown her
paintings throughout the
world,
Have to HAS
Yani don’t paint in just one
style.
Don’t to DOESN’T
Her ideas and her art
naturally changes over the
years.
Changes to CHANGE
This painting show one of
Yani’s favorite childhood
subjects, a monkey.
Show to SHOWS
Many of her early paintings
features monkeys.
Features to FEATURE
In fact, one of her large
works portray 112
monkeys.
Portray to PORTRAYS
However, most of her later
paintings is of landscapes,
other animals, and people.
Is to ARE
As her smile suggests, Yani
fill her paintings with
energy.
Fill to FILLS
Goal: I will be able to identify
and correct errors in subject
verb agreement.
How would you rate your ability
to complete the goal now that
we have finished the unit?