ACADEMIC WRITING I April 26 th 2012
Today Subject-verb agreement. Practice essay.
Review class Monday (April 30 th ). Time: 4:30 – 5:30 Place: Rm Please come with any questions you have about the exam (except, “What are the answers?”).
Subject-verb agreement “Do I need an –s at the end of the verb or not?”
Subject-verb agreement There is too many pictures on the wall. Everybody but Andrew want to go home. The monkey like to eat bananas. The subjects and verbs don’t agree
Subject-verb agreement Basic things to remember: A plural subject goes with a plural verb. - There are too many pictures on the wall. A singular subject goes with a singular verb. - Everybody but Andrew wants to go home. - The monkey likes to eat bananas.
Subject-verb agreement All dogs run to their food bowls at dinner time. dogs = plural subject run = plural verb The dog runs toward his food bowl at dinner time. dog = singular subject runs = singular verb
Subject-verb agreement In the present tense: singular verbs add an –s suffix to the end of verbs; plural verbs do not.
Subject-verb agreement So far, very easy, right?!
Subject-verb agreement Two (or more) singular nouns joined by and make a plural subject. The dog and the cat look out the window.
Subject-verb agreement When each or every precedes two (or more) singular nouns joined by and, it is a singular subject. Every dog and cat looks out the window. It does not matter how many singular nouns are joined with and, the subject is STILL singular: Every dog, cat, gorilla, tiger, bear, turtle, and bird looks out the window.
Subject-verb agreement Pronouns like everyone and everybody seem plural, BUT they are always singular (and need a singular verb). Everyone needs a hug sometimes. Everybody who bought a car is happy today.
Subject-verb agreement Phrases that come between a subject pronoun and its verb may contain plural words…this is confusing. Each of the basketball players is excited about tonight’s game.
Subject-verb agreement Other interrupting phrases: As well asincluding Along within addition to Together withespecially The mouse, as well as the birds, watch Tony, the scary tiger. = The mouse, as well as the birds, watches Tony, the scary tiger. wrong (even if it looks right)
Subject-verb agreement Hint: When checking for agreement, leave out parts you don’t need (interrupting phrases). Everyone in the contest want to win. - Everyone want to win. ?? (should be wants) The tigers, especially Tony, wants to eat the deer. - The tigers wants to eat. ?? (should be want)
Subject-verb agreement either…or, … neither…. nor, …. not only…but also… These phrases will have two subjects, and can be confusing if one is plural and one is singular.
Subject-verb agreement either…or, … neither…. nor, …. not only…but also… Example: Not only the professor but also the students wish the class would end. Not only the students, but also the professor wishes the class would end.
Subject-verb agreement either…or, … neither…. nor, …. not only…but also… Whichever subject is closest to the verb will decide the singular or plural form of the verb.
Subject-verb agreement Here and there. Here is the onions you need for the soup. In the fridge is the peppers you might want to add. Problem: Here and there are never the subject.
Subject-verb agreement Here and there. Here are the onions you need for the soup. In the fridge are the peppers you might want to add. Problem: Here and there are never the subject.