UNIT 8: CH. 24 AGREEMENT 7 th English

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 1. A verb must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural). -Nouns are made plural by adding –es or –s to the end. -Verbs are NOT made plural by adding –s…they are made singular Ex: boxes=plural noun, plays=singular verb  Singular—is, am, was, has, have (sometimes)  Plural—are, were, have (sometimes)

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 2. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural Ex: She is here. We are going. 3. A prepositional phrase that comes between a subject and verb does not affect subject and verb agreement. Ex: The classroom of young students is too full. REMEMBER: The object of a preposition can never be the subject of a sentence!

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 4. Two or more singular subjects joined by or or nor must have a singular verb. -Two or more plural subjects joined by or or nor must have a plural verb. Ex: Either the turkey or the stuffing is cooking. Neither the potatoes nor the peas are done.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 5. When singular AND plural subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb must agree with the closer subject. Ex: Neither the lights nor the wreath is in the box. Neither the wreath nor the lights are in the box.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 6. A compound subject joined by and is usually plural and must have a plural verb. -Think of the word and as a plus “+” sign Ex: The boy and the girl are waiting for the bus.  Exceptions: -If the compound subject equals one thing. Ex: Macaroni and cheese is… -The words each or every is used before the compound subject. Ex: Each student and teacher is…

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 7. When a subject comes after the verb, the subject and verb still must agree with each other in number. Ex: Incorrect: There is several books about holidays. Correct: There are several books about holidays. REMEMBER: Here’s=here is, there’s=there is

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT 8. Choose the correct verb for a indefinite pronoun based on the type of indefinite pronoun (singular, plural, or both)—see pg. 397 and chart in your notes Ex: Each of the banners is blue. All of the books are damaged. Some of the pizza is left. Some of the books are left.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT What is an antecedent? -The word that the pronoun takes the place of Ex: Sheila lost her book. 1. A personal pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number, and gender. Person-1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd Number-singular, plural Gender-male, female

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT -Do not carelessly use the pronoun “you” to refer to a noun in the 3 rd person Ex: Incorrect: Stephanie has learned French. This is the language you need to know when you go to Paris. Correct: Stephanie has learned French. This is the language she needs to know when she goes to Paris.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT 2. Use a singular personal pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor Ex: Incorrect: Either Becca or Megan will take their backpack. Ex: Correct: Either Becca or Megan will take her backpack.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT 3. When the gender of a third-person-singular antecedent is not known, you may make the pronoun agree in one of these three ways:  Use he or she, him or her, his or hers. Ex: A student should bring his or her books to class.  Rewrite the sentence so that the antecedent and pronoun are plural. Ex: Students should bring their books to class.  Rewrite the sentence to eliminate the pronoun. Ex: Books should be brought to class by students.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT 4. Use a singular personal pronoun when its antecedent is a singular indefinite pronoun. Ex: Incorrect: One of the cats lost their collar. Ex: Correct: One of the cats lost its collar.