Download AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUBJECTS AND VERBS Basic Rule. The

AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUBJECTS AND VERBS
Basic Rule. The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb while a plural subject takes
a plural verb. The trick is knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a
singular or plural verb.
Hint: Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s as nouns do. In order to determine which verb is singular and
which one is plural, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which verb you would use with they.
Example talks, talk
Which one is the singular form? Which word would you use with he? We say, "He talks." Therefore, talks is
singular. We say, "They talk." Therefore, talk is plural.
Rule 1. Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.
Example My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb as in Rule 1.
Examples Neither John nor Susan is available.
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
NOTE: Am is singular and agrees with the subject closest to it.
Rule 3. When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last
and use a plural verb.
Example The book or the magazines are on the shelf.
Rule 4. When either/or or neither/nor connect a singular and plural subject, put the plural subject last and
use a plural verb as in Rule 3.
Example Neither John nor the others are available.
Rule 5. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.
Example A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
Rule 6. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as,
besides, not, etc. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.
Examples The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
Rule 7. The pronouns each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are
singular. Do not be misled by what follows of.
Examples Each of the girls sings well.
Every one of the cakes is gone.
NOTE: Everyone is one word when it means everybody.
Rule 8. With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder,
etc.—you must look at the object of the preposition to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb.
If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use
a plural verb.
Examples Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.
Pie is the object of the preposition of.
Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.
Pies is the object of the preposition.
One third of the city is unemployed.
One third of the people are unemployed.
All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
Rule 9. When either and neither are subjects, they take singular verbs.
Example Neither of them is available to speak right now.
Rule 10. The words here and there are never subjects because they are not nouns. In sentences
beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.
Examples There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
Rule 11. Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
Examples Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Rule 12. If the pronoun who, that, or which appears as the subject in the middle of the sentence, you
must decide whether to follow it with a singular or plural verb. In order to decide, look at the noun directly
in front of the who, that, or which. If it is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples She is the secretary who write/writes the letters.
The word in front of who is secretary, which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb writes.
He is one of the men who does/do the work.
The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.
Rule 13. Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use
in the sentence.
Examples The staff is in a meeting. Staff is acting as a unit here.
The staff are in disagreement about the findings. The staff are acting as separate individuals in this example.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUBJECT AND VERB
Underline verbs twice and subjects once.
If the verb does not agree with the subject, correct the verb.
1. Neither the farmer nor the farmworkers is willing to settle the strike.
2. Neither Frank nor Ida are capable of such a crime.
3. The teacher or student is going to appear on stage first.
4. The mother duck, along with all her ducklings, swim so gracefully.
5. Each of those dresses is beautiful.
6. The folder, not the letters, were misplaced.
7. Here is the three doughnuts you wanted.
8. Five hundred dollars are all the dealer is asking.
9. Three fourths of the pies have been eaten.
10. The majority of the state is Republican.
11. A golden retriever is one of those dogs that is always faithful.
12. Every one of the dancers is very limber.
13. The original document, as well as subsequent copies, was lost.
14. Neither the ashtray nor the lamp were on the table.
15. Only forty percent of the eligible voters is going to the polls.
16. Almost all of the newspaper are devoted to advertisements.
17. There are maps hanging on the walls.
18. Here is Janice and Jessie.
19. The anguish of the victims have gone unnoticed.
20. Taxes on interest is still deferrable.
21. Neither he nor I are going.
22. Is it possible that Joe, as well as his family, are missing?
23. Five dollars are all I have to my name.
24. Neither of the lawyers are willing to take the case.
25. Each of the vacation homes are furnished with jacuzzi bathtubs.
ANSWERS: (Verbs are in red; subjects are underlined once.)
1. Neither the farmer nor the farmworkers is (Change is to are [Rule 3 or 4])
2. Frank nor Ida are (Change are to is [Rule 1 or 2])
3. The teacher or student is (CORRECT [Rule 1])
4. The mother duck, along with her ducklings, swim (Change swim to swims [Rule 6])
5. Each of those dresses is (CORRECT [Rule 7])
6. The folder, not the letters, were (Change were to was [Rule 6])
7. Here is the three doughnuts you wanted. (Change is to are [Rule 10])
8. Five hundred dollars are all the dealer is asking. (Change are to is [Rule 11])
9. Three fourths of the pies have been eaten. (CORRECT [Rule 8])
10. The majority of the state is (CORRECT [Rule 8])
11. A golden retriever is one of those dogs that is (Change the second is to are [Rule 12])
12. Every one of the dancers is (CORRECT [Rule 7])
13. The original document, as well as subsequent copies, was lost. (CORRECT [Rule 6])
14. Neither the ashtray nor the lamp were (Change were to was [Rule 1 or 2])
15. Only forty percent of the eligible voters is going (Change is to are [Rule 8])
16. Almost all of the newspaper are devoted (Change are to is [Rule 8])
17. There are maps hanging (CORRECT [Rule 10])
18. Here is Janice and Jessie. (Change is to are [Rule 10])
19. The anguish of the victims have gone (Change have to has [Basic Rule])
20. Taxes on interest is (Change is to are [Basic Rule])
21. Neither he nor I are going. (Change are to am [Rule 1 or 2])
22. Is it possible that Joe, as well as his family, are missing? (Change are to is [Rule 6])
23. Five dollars are all I have to my name. (Change are to is [Rule 11])
24. Neither of the lawyers are willing (Change are to is [Rule 9])
25. Each of the vacation homes are (Change are to is [Rule 7])
1. How quick he runs.
2. Neither Dave nor I are to follow.
3. The desk and the chair sits in the corner.
4. Each of us were scheduled to take the test.
5. The coach, not the players, have been ill.
6. There is only four days until Christmas.
7. She is one of the women who works hard.
8. That was Frank and me whom you saw.
9. This phone call is for Bill and I.
10. Tom is the smartest of the two.
11. It was I whom called.
12. It is us clerks who work hard.
13. He took the plate off of the table.
14. None of the neighbors offered his support.
15. They mailed the copies to him and I.
16. Neither of the candidates have spoken.
17. How will you be effected financially if the effect of downsizing means you will lose your
job?
18. Joan walks slower so her children can keep up with her.
19. Jake is the oldest of the two brothers.
20. May did good on the test she took yesterday.
21. He and she were real close friends.
ANSWERS:
1. quickly
2. is
3. sit
4. was
5. has
6. are
7. work
8. I
9. me
10. smarter
11. who
12. we
13. leave out of
14. their
15. me
16. has
17. affected
18. slowly or more slowly
19. older
20. well
21. really or very
Parallelism
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the
same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to
join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or."
1. Words and Phrases
With the -ing form (gerund) of words:
Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
With infinitive phrases:
Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.
(Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the first one.)
Do not mix forms.
Example 1
Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
Example 2
Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a
detailed manner.
Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and
thoroughly.
Example 3
Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute
to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was
low.
Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to
study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.
2. Clauses
A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to another
pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the
parallelism.
Example 1
Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not
eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat
too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
-- or -Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do
some warm-up exercises before the game.
Example 2
Not Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there
would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by
prospective buyers.
(passive)
Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there
would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him
questions.
3. Lists after a colon
Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.
Example 1
Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings,
pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations,
correct spellings, and irregular verbs.
Proofreading Strategies to try:
Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on each side of these words to see
whether the items joined are parallel. If not, make them parallel.
If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel.
Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. Do you hear the same
kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item? Or do your
hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check
to see if it needs to be made parallel.
Misplaced Modifiers
1. Looking back, the dog was following us.
2. Lying on a stretcher, they carried him out.
3. Flying out the window, he grabbed the papers.
4. Stepping off the bus, the shopping center was just ahead.
5. Mollie came over while I was playing the piano with a piece of pound cake.
6. While asleep, the flea bit the dog.
7. I tried calling to tell you about that TV show five times.
8. Although very spicy, Dana managed to finish the enchilada.
ANSWERS:
1. Looking back, we saw the dog following. OR We turned around and saw the dog following us.
2. Lying on a stretcher, he was carried out by them. OR They carried him out lying on a stretcher.
3. Flying out the window, the papers were grabbed by him. OR He grabbed the papers as they flew out the
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
window.
Stepping off the bus, I/we saw the shopping center just ahead.
Mollie came over with a piece of pound cake while I was playing the piano. OR While I was playing the
piano, Mollie came over with a piece of pound cake.
While asleep, the dog was bitten by the flea. OR The sleeping dog was bitten by the flea.
I called five times to tell you about that TV show.
Dana managed to finish the enchilada although it was very spicy.