Sophomore English (A) Grammar Agreement

Agreement of Subject & Verb A verb should agree in number with its subject Singular subjects take singular verbs. Examples: He washes the dishes. My neighbor plays in a band. Plural subjects take plural verbs. Examples: They wash the dishes. Seven girls in my neighborhood play in the band.

Agreement of Subject & Verb Remember to first determine the subject of the sentence before selecting your verb. Do not get confused by a phrase or clause following the subject. Examples: The apartments across the street do not have balconies. (verb agrees with apartments, not street) The planes pulling up to the gate were purchased by a movie company. (verb agrees with planes, not gate) The row of desks was crooked.(row is the subject, not desks)

As well as, along with, together with, and in addition to are compound prepositions. Words in phrases beginning with compound prepositions do not affect the number of the subject or verb. Example: Anne, together with her cousins, is backpacking in Nevada.

Subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb Subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb. Example: Rhyme, rhythm, and imagery help poets express their feelings.

Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Plural subjects joined by or or nor take a plural verb. Examples: After dinner, either Anne or Tony loads the dishwasher. Neither the coach nor the principal is satisfied with the team’s performance. Neither the students nor the teachers want another snow day.

For a subject joined by or, the verb should agree with the part of the subject closest to the verb. THIS CAN BE A TRICKY ONE! Example: The dogs or the cat plays outside. The dog or the cats play outside.

The pronouns anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, and something are SINGULAR. Example: Each of the dogs runs excitedly in the dog park. Neither of the men is ready to start the race.

The pronouns both, few, many, and several are plural The pronouns both, few, many, and several are plural. Example: Both of us are qualified for the job. Several of the runners are exercising. One of the runners is exercising.

1. Not even one of the boys (walk / walks) to school. 2 1. Not even one of the boys (walk / walks) to school. 2. There (is/are) several students waiting. 3. The rats or the mouse (have / has) the cheese. 4. Neither of the kids (has / have) taken a bath. 5. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator (is / are) going to have to make a decision. 6. (Is / Are) my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance? 7. Everyone selected to serve on this jury (has / have) to be willing to give up a lot of time. 8. Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, (is / are) a formidable opponent on the basketball court.

Subject, Object and Prepositional PRONOUNS Subject, Object and Prepositional

Pronouns I you he she who it we you all they who all What are the subject pronouns? I you he she who it we you all they who all Subject pronouns are used to conjugate the verb. They are pronouns, so they are replacing a subject noun. Karena eats chicken and pickle sandwiches. She eats chicken and pickle sandwiches.

Pronouns me you him her it us you all them What are the object (indirect and direct) pronouns? me you him her it us you all them Object pronouns are the object of the action in a sentence. Did you see Wesley at the game? Yes, I saw him.

Pronouns me you him her whom it us you all them What are the prepositional pronouns? after/for/to/between/ etc. . . me you him her whom it us you all them Prepositional pronouns are used after prepositions. Between you and me, Elsa is very funny. Have you heard about us? About whom are you talking?

Pronouns my, mine your, yours his her, hers whose its our, ours What are the possessives? my, mine your, yours his her, hers whose its our, ours your, yours (you all’s) their, theirs