AGREEMENT Notes and Exercises

RULE ONE: Verbs and subjects need to agree in terms of number RULE ONE: Verbs and subjects need to agree in terms of number. EXAMPLE of MISTAKE: The bird sing. EXAMPLE of REVISION: The bird sings. EXAMPLE of MISTAKE: The dogs runs EXAMPLE of REVISION: The dogs run. NOTICE: We use an s with present tense verbs when there is one subject.

RULE TWO: Verbs need to agree in terms of tense (past, present, future etc.) EXAMPLE of MISTAKE: We ate dinner and talk. EXAMPLE of REVISION: We ate dinner and talked. EXAMPLE of REVISION: We eat dinner and talk.

RULE THREE: Words like each, someone, no one, everyone etc RULE THREE: Words like each, someone, no one, everyone etc. are traditionally singular. Some people feel that they need singular verbs and pronouns. Traditionally considered MISTAKE: Everyone has their own challenges. Traditional REVISION: Everyone has his or her own challenges. EXAMPLE of MISTAKE: Each building had awnings over their doors. EXAMPLE of REVISION: Each building had awnings over its doors.

RULE FOUR: Subjects joined with the word and require plural verbs RULE FOUR: Subjects joined with the word and require plural verbs. Subjects joined with the word or require singular verbs. EXAMPLE: A carrot or an apple is a healthy snack. EXAMPLE: A carrot and an apple are healthy snacks. NOTICE: Both versions are correct

AGREEMENT EXERCISES revise or copy as is The coach and the players shouts angrily when the ref makes a bad call. No one is denied their wages under this boss. The ducks quack and flaps their wings. Every car had their antennae broken. Mom and Dad needs the keys to the garage. Salt or pepper is necessary for flavorful food. His poetry, which was mainly about dinosaurs, were quite poorly written. Every group of students from California or Arizona are used to hot weather. I gave her a Twizzler and she drops it on the floor. Ernest’s two dogs, Fido and Rover, eats every piece.

The coach and the players shouts angrily when the ref makes a bad call. ANSWER: The coach and the players shout angrily when the ref makes a bad call.

2. No one is denied their wages under this boss 2. No one is denied their wages under this boss. ANSWER: No one is denied his or her wages under this boss. OR Correct as is It’s up to you…

3. The ducks quack and flaps their wings 3. The ducks quack and flaps their wings. ANSWER: The ducks quack and flap their wings.

4. Every car had their antennae broken 4. Every car had their antennae broken. ANSWER: Every car had its antennae broken.

5. Mom and Dad needs the keys to the garage 5. Mom and Dad needs the keys to the garage. ANSWER: Mom and Dad need the keys to the garage.

6. Salt or pepper is necessary for flavorful food 6. Salt or pepper is necessary for flavorful food. ANSWER: Salt or pepper is necessary for flavorful food. CORRECT AS IS

7. His poetry, which was mainly about dinosaurs, were quite poorly written. ANSWER: His poetry, which was mainly about dinosaurs, was quite poorly written.

8. Every group of students from California or Arizona are used to hot weather. ANSWER: Every group of students from California or Arizona is used to hot weather.

9. I gave her a Twizzler, and she drops it on the floor 9. I gave her a Twizzler, and she drops it on the floor. ANSWER: I gave her a Twizzler, and she dropped it on the floor. OR ANSWER: I give her a Twizzler, and she drops it on the floor.

10. Ernest’s two dogs, Fido and Rover, eats every piece 10. Ernest’s two dogs, Fido and Rover, eats every piece. ANSWER: Ernest’s two dogs, Fido and Rover, eat every piece.