MORE GRAMMAR FOR THE PSAT

Parallel Structure There are three sentence elements which commonly require parallel treatment: Coordinated ideas (using coordinate conj.) Compared / Contrasted Ideas Correlative Constructions (using correlative conj.) A sentence reads smoothly when the writer has taken the trouble to put equal ideas in parallel form.

Parallel Structure Coordinate ideas are equal in rank and are joined by and, or, nor, for, yet, so, or but. FAULTY: The committee studied all aspects of the problem—humane, political, and cost. (Change cost to financial.) According to my teacher, my composition revealed exceptional creative ability but that I make too many spelling errors. Two ways to fix: …revealed exceptional creative ability but too many spelling errors. …revealed that I have exceptional creative ability but that I make too many spelling errors.

Parallel Structure Comparisons/Contrasts FAULTY: Water-skiing no longer interests me as much as to go scuba diving. Water-skiing and scuba diving OR to water-ski and to scuba dive FAULTY: Her novel was praised more for its style than for what it had to say. Her novel was praised more for its style than for its ideas.

Parallel Structure Correlative Constructions are formed with correlative conjunctions: both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but (also). Faulty: At the gate they tried both persuasion and to force their way in. At the gate they tried both persuasion and force. The new clerk soon proved herself to be not only capable but also a woman who could be trusted. The new clerk soon proved herself to be not only capable but also trustworthy.

Parallel Structure For complete parallelism, place correlative conjunctions immediately before the parallel terms. FAULTY:The team both felt the satisfaction of victory and the disappointment of defeat. FAULTY: Mrs. Sayers is not only president of the National Bank but also of the Chamber of Commerce.

Parallel Structure In parallel constructions repeat an article, a preposition, or a pronoun whenever necessary to make the meaning clear: Before the meeting I talked with the secretary and treasurer. [Add the before treasurer to clarify that they are two different people.] The weather was a greater handicap to the invading army than their enemy. [It sounds like the invaders would rather fight the enemy than the weather. Add to before their enemy.] We feel certain that she is capable, she will succeed, and you will be proud of her. [In a series of parallel that clauses, the meaning is clearer if that is repeated in each clause. Omission might give the impression that it is a run-on sentence.]

Parallel Structure Make sure you include all words necessary to make the construction completely parallel: INCOMPLETE: Linda always chose topics that were more difficult than the other students. COMPLETE: Linda always chose topics that were more difficult than those of the other students. PRACTICE: Warriner’s p. 242-245, Ex. 1-3

Subject-Verb Agreement The number of the subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject. The performance of the first three clowns was very funny. A solution to these problems has been found. In formal writing, singular subjects followed by phrases beginning with together with, as well as, in addition to, and accompanied by take singular verbs. The captain as well as the coaches was disappointed in the team.

Subject-Verb Agreement Indefinite Pronouns SINGULAR: each, either, neither, and all ending in -one, -body, or -thing PLURAL: several, few, both, many SING. OR PLURAL: some, any, all, and most depend on context: Some of the money was missing. BUT Some of the dimes were missing. All of the fruit looks ripe. BUT All of the cherries look ripe. Most of the book was interesting. BUT Most of the books were interesting. Has any of this evidence been presented? BUT Have any of my friends called?

Subject-Verb Agreement Compound Subjects Subjects joined by and take a plural verb unless the parts of a compound subject are considered a unit (macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly). The walls and the ceiling were beautifully decorated. Macaroni and cheese is the special again today. Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. My mother or my father is likely to be at home. When a singular and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Either the judge or the lawyers are wrong. BETTER: Either the judge is wrong or the lawyers are.

Subject-Verb Agreement In inverted sentences (subject follows verb), make sure the verb still agrees with the subject. (Inverted sentences can be questions and sentences that begin with here and there.) There’s three routes you can take. There are three routes you can take. Where’s your mother and father? Where are your mother and father?

Subject-Verb Agreement Collective Nouns May be singular or plural A collective noun names a group: crowd, committee, class, jury. It takes a plural verb when the focus is on the individuals in the group. The crowd were fighting for their lives. The football team were discussing some new plays. The family have agreed among themselves to share one car. It takes a singular verb when the focus is on the group as a unit. The crowd was an orderly one. The team was ranked first in the nation. The family is the basic unit of society.

Subject-Verb Agreement Expressions stating an amount (time, money, measurement, weight, volume, factions) are usually singular when the amount is considered as a unit. Three years in a strange land seems a long time. Ten dollars is not enough. Three fourths of the money has been recovered. When the amount is considered as a number of separate units, a plural verb is used. These last three years have been full of surprises. There are two silver dollars in each of the stockings.

Subject-Verb Agreement Even when in plural form, the title of a book or the name of an organization or country usually takes a singular verb. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1884. The Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a carnival. The United States remains the leader of NATO. EXCEPTION: Some organizations follow the collective noun rule (can be sing. or plural): Veterans of Foreign Wars, New York Yankees, Chicago Bears, etc. The Veterans of Foreign Wars attend this conference. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a large organization.

Subject-Verb Agreement A few nouns, such as mumps, measles, civics, economics, mathematics, and physics, although plural in form, take a singular verb. The following similar words are more often plural than singular: athletics, acoustics, gymnastics, tactics. Politics can be singular (when discussing the field of study) or plural (when discussing an individual’s collected set of beliefs). Politics today is too dirty for my tastes. I do not know what her politics are. Scissors and trousers are always plural.

Subject-Verb Agreement When the subject and the predicate nominative differ in number, the verb agrees with the SUBJECT. (Try to avoid writing sentences where the subject and PN differ in number.) The most appreciated gift was the clothes that you sent to Haiti. The clothes that you sent us were the most appreciated gift. BETTER: Most of all we appreciated the clothes that you sent.

Subject-Verb Agreement Every or many a before a word or series of words is followed by a singular verb. Every mother, father, and student was asked to contribute to the LAMPLighter fund drive. Many a college student wishes to return to the easy days of high school. Don’t and doesn’t must agree with their subjects. Use don’t (do not) with I and you. Doesn’t takes a singular subject, and don’t goes with a plural subject.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement ALL PRONOUNS MUST AGREE IN NUMBER AND GENDER WITH THEIR ANTECEDENTS. The words each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody take a singular pronoun—he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its. The use of a phrase after the antecedent does not change the number of the antecedent. Each of the women had removed her shoes. Nobody in a position of authority has given his approval of the bill. If anyone calls, tell him I’ll be back later.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement When the antecedent can be either masculine or feminine, acceptable standard usage calls for the masculine as the gender-neutral term. Of course, in spoken English, we’ve been using the plural as a way to maintain gender neutrality. Strict adherence to the rule may lead to awkward and absurd constructions: ABSURD: Did everybody leave the dance early because he wasn’t enjoying himself? BETTER: Did everybody leave early because they weren’t enjoying themselves? BEST: Did the guests leave early because they weren’t enjoying themselves?

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor should be referred to by a singular pronoun. Neither Lynn nor Bess had her keys with her. Neither of the girls had her skis on. Two or more antecedents joined by and should take a plural pronoun. Lynn and Bess sat outside with their coats on.