AGREEMENT: Subject/Verb & Pronoun/Antecedent English 7CP Mr. Snow

NUMBER Number refers to whether the word is singular or plural. When a word refers to one person, place, thing, or idea, it is singular in number. Singular: igloo she one child class When a word refers to many people, places, things, or ideas, it is plural in number. Plural: igloos they many children classes

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT: Number Verbs should agree in number w/ their subjects. 1. Singular subjects take singular verbs (singular verbs usually end in s). The lightning fills the air. Jan begins her vacation today. The motor is running. 2. Plural subjects take plural verbs. Cheetahs run fast. New families move into our neighborhood often. Are any students filling the aquarium?

PROBLEMS IN AGREEMENT The number of a subject is not changed by a phrase following it. The flock of birds was flying in a V formation. [subject is flock, not birds] Construction of the towers was completed in 1999. [construction, not towers]

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS Remember indefinite pronouns? They don’t refer to a specific person, place, thing, or idea. So how do you know how many they’re talking about? Some could refer to some cake (singular) or some cookies (plural).

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS These indefinite pronouns are singular: anybody, anyone, anything, everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, no one, nothing, somebody, someone, something, either, neither, each, & one. [16 total] Each of the newcomers was welcomed. Neither of the papayas is ripe. Everyone here speaks Arabic.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS These indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many & several. [4 total] Few of our neighbors have parakeets. Many of them keep dogs, however.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS All, any, more, most, some, & none may be either singular or plural depending on their meaning in a sentence. [6 total] Usually, you can figure out which it is by looking at the number of the object in a following prepositional phrase. All of the fruit [singular] is ripe. All of the pears [plural] are ripe. Some of the harvest [singular] has been sold. Some of the apples [plural] have been sold. Most of the class [singular] is here. Most of the students [plural] are here. None of the pie [singular] has been eaten. None of the cookies [plural] have been eaten.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS Compound subjects joined by and take a plural verb. Our dog and cat get baths in the summer. Mr. Duffy and his daughter have gone fishing. Sometimes it seems compound when it’s not: Macaroni and cheese is my favorite meal.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS Singular subjects joined by or/nor take a singular verb. The chief geologist or her assistant is due to arrive tonight. Neither a rabbit nor a mole does that kind of damage. Plural subjects joined by or/nor still take a plural verb. Either mice or squirrels are in the attic. Neither the senators nor the representatives want the bill to pass.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or/nor, the verb agrees with whatever is closer to it. A book or flowers make an appropriate gift. Flowers or a book makes an appropriate gift.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT: Other Problems When subject follows verb, go back and make sure it agrees with the verb. Where was the cat? Where were the cats? Mr. Snow, is there any extra credit? Mr. Snow, are there any extra credit assignments?

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT: Other Problems Some plural nouns take singular verbs. Electronics is a branch of physics. Gymnastics is my favorite Olympic sport. An expression of an amount is singular when referring to a unit. Five dollars is enough. Ten feet is the height of the hoop. Sixteen ounces equals one pound.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT: Other Problems Even if they look plural, titles of creative works, names of organizations, and the name of a country or city are usually singular. World Tales is a collection of folk tales. Sunflowers has so much color! Friends of the Earth was founded in 1969. The Philippines is an island country. Marble Falls sits in central Texas.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Remember that pronouns refer back to words called antecedents. Ask Carl if he has done his homework. Lois asked John if he would help her remember her books.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Pronouns should agree in number & gender w/ their antecedents. Feminine: she, her, hers, herself Masculine: he, him, his, himself Neuter: it, its, itself Carlotta said that she found her book. Aaron brought his skates with him. The plant with mold on it is losing its leaves.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Sometimes the antecedent is another pronoun. In that case, look at the phrase following it. Each of the girls offered her ideas. The pronoun each is the antecedent of her. Since each is singular and since girls is feminine, you know to use her. One of the men lost his car. Similar case here: one is singular and men is masculine, so you know to use his.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Sometimes antecedents are neither masculine nor feminine. In this case, use both. Each of the parents praised his or her child’s efforts. No one forgot his or her lines on opening night. Has everyone brought his or her pencil? Oh, by the way: you’re going to see that last one on a lot of quizzes!

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Use a singular pronoun to refer to anybody, anyone, anything, everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, no one, nothing, somebody, someone, something, either, neither, each, & one. Each of the snakes escaped from its cage. Someone in the class left his or her book. One of the boys forgot his glove.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Use a plural pronoun to refer to both, few, several, & many. Both of the sailors asked their captain for shore leave. Many among the others waiting below deck hoped that they could go, too.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Depending on the sentence, use a singular or plural pronoun with all, any, more, most, some, & none. All of the book is interesting, isn’t it? All of the books are interesting, aren’t they? None of the casserole is left; it was terrific! None of the casseroles are left; they were terrific!

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Use a singular pronoun to refer to 2 or more antecedents joined by or/nor. Either Ralph or Carlos will display his baseball cards. [but not both] Neither Nina nor Mary will bring her CD player. Neither the CD player nor the iPod had its price displayed.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Use a plural pronoun to refer to 2 or more antecedents joined by and. Isaac and Jerome told me that they are coming to the party. [both] Elena and Roberto sent letters to their cousin. [again, both]

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Expressions of amount may take singular or plural pronouns, depending on usage. Five dollars is all I need. I hope my sister will lend it to me. [this refers to a single sum of money] Two dollars are torn. The vending machine won’t take them. [this refers to two individual dollar bills out of the total amount]

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT Even if they look plural, titles of creative works, names of organizations, & names of cities or countries take singular pronouns. Have you read Great Expectations? It is fantastic! The United Nations has its headquarters in Geneva, New York City, and Vienna. My grandfather told us of the Maldives and its beautiful coasts.

FIN ALLY!