GRAMMAR: ENGLISH II

Fall 2013

1) Subject-verb agreement 2) Noun, verb, & prepositional phrase 3) Pronoun-antecedent agreement

8/20 Grammar #1

Subject-verb agreement

*A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Examples A bike and a scooter (is, are) my means of

getting around until I get a car.

The principal, along with a bunch of teachers, (is, are) getting ready for a snow day.

RULES

1. If subjects are joined by and, they are considered plural.

Ex. The quarterback and the coach are having a conference.

2. If subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the closer subject

Ex: Either the actors or the director is at fault. Ex: Either the director or the actors are at fault.

Someone Somebody Each Either one Everyone Anyone

Apparently, the SAT testing service considers none as a singular word only. However, according to Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, "Clearly none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. The notion that it is singular only is a myth of unknown origin that appears to have arisen in the 19th century. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism" (p. 664).

Indefinite pronouns - SINGULAR

None? Singular or Plural?

None of us ( is / are ) going to see Transformers 3.

1. Three-quarters of the students (is, are) against the detention policy. 

2. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator (is, are) going to have to make a decision. 

3. Either the chief administrator in this hospital or the physicians (is, are) going to have to make a decision.

4. Kara Cannon, together with her teammates, (present, presents) a formidable opponent on the basketball court.  

5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury (has, have) to be willing to give up a lot of time.

1. Are

2. Is

3. Are

4. Presents

5. Has

Grammar #2

Noun, verb, & prepositional phrases

1. What is a noun?

2. What is a verb?

3. What is a preposition?

1. A word which refers to a thing, person, or idea

2. word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence

3. words that help describe something's location or other information

Preposition examples

about above across after against along among around at before

behind below beneath beside between by down during except for

from in in front

of inside instead

of into like near of

off on onto on top of out of outside over past since through

to toward under undernea

th until up upon with within without

N, V, or P?

1. Table2. In3. Around4. Swimming5. Friendship6. Google

Phrase

such as leafy vegetables in sickness and in health on one’s personality for a long time

Phrase – a group of words that is missing a subject or

a verb or both; always a dependent clause.

Prepositional phrase – consists of a preposition & it’s object

Can remove Prep phrase, sentence still makes sense

Examples At home In time for dinner About what we need Underneath the school Error?

Where are the Prep Phrases?7. The book on the bathroom floor is

swollen from shower steam.

8. The sweet potatoes in the vegetable bin are green with mold.

9. The note from Beverly confessed that she had eaten the leftover pizza.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A substitute for a noun

Examples: He / She It Them They

The noun that the pronoun refers to

Pronoun Antecedent

I like SpongeBob SquarePants; it is a good show.

Jake naturally attracted all of the ladies; he was known for making them go crazy.

pronoun

antecedent

antecedentantecedent

pronounpronoun

What’s wrong here?

During early rehearsals, an actor may forget their lines.

Vicky and Alicia swam ( her / their ) best times on Friday.

Some of the sugar fell out of ( its / their ) bag. Everyone had (his or her / their ) own

Snickers bar.

Pronoun-Antecedent disagreement!

Each Either/

neither One No one Nobody Nothing Anyone

Anybody Anything Someone Somebody Something Everyone Everybody Everything

Several Few Both Many Others

Singular Plural

Pronouns and antecedents must agree in number!

1. The Washington team was opportunistic; (it, they) took advantage of every break.

2. A person needs to see (his or her, their) dentist twice a year.

3. The committee members put (its, their) signatures on the document.

4. Each of these companies had (its, their) books audited.

5. If a person wants to succeed in corporate life, (he or she, you) has/have to know the rules of the game.

ANSWERS

1. It

2. His or Her

3. Their

4. Its

5. He or she