SubjectVerb Agreement Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite Pronoun Subjects When

Subject/Verb Agreement Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronoun Subjects • When used as subjects, some indefinite pronouns are ALWAYS SINGULAR, some are ALWAYS PLURAL, and some can be EITHER singular or plural, depending on how they’re used. • (gee…that sounds clear…NOT!)

• • • Singular pronouns that take singular verbs: another anything everybody much no one somebody anybody each everyone neither nothing someone anyone either everything nobody one something

Examples of singular pronuns, singular verbs • Everybody has a good idea on how to solve the problem. • No one knows why Aaron Rodgers threw an interception.

Plural pronouns that always take a plural verb • • Both Few Many Several Ex: Both of my friends are nice. Several are going out to the concert.

Pronouns that are either singular or plural all most any none more some Examples: All of the students are late. All of this pasta is burned. Most of the players are good. Most of my essay is finished.

Plural vs. Singular in sticky situations… • COLLECTIVE NOUNS: • sometimes they can be considered singular, other times plural. • Rule: If the collective noun (team, group, audience, etc. ) acts together, the verb is singular. If the collective noun acts separately as individuals, then the verb is plural.

For example… • The class (as one unit) agrees that we should not have homework over the weekend. • The class (as individuals) have different opinions on how to finish the work. (I know it sounds goofy, but it’s correct…)

Plural vs. Singular in sticky situations…cont’d • NOUNS that are PLURAL IN FORM: • Some nouns ending in –s or –ics APPEAR to be plural but are really SINGULAR (huh? !) Ex: mathematics, politics, civics, news, mumps, physics… BUT … • Some words ending in –ics are sometimes plural (r u kidding me? !) Ex: Ethics does not play a role in the movie. The candidate’s ethics are questionable.

Plural vs. Singular in sticky situations…cont’d • TITLES and NUMERICAL AMOUNTS: • Titles of works of art, literature, film, or music are singular. – Star Wars is my favorite movie. • Words and phrases that refer to weights, measures, numbers, and lengths of time are usually (another exception situation? !) treated as singular. – Ten thousand dollars is too much for that car. – Fifty pounds seems too heavy to carry.

Special Sentence Problems HINT: To check agreement in special sentences, rewrite them to put the subject and verb in the correct order. • Questions (verb will be split or come after subject) • Do you miss sentences about Pooh Bear? – You do miss sentences (about Pooh Bear). • Here or There Sentences • Ex. There are many boring sentences in the grammar book. – Many boring sentences are there (in the grammar book).

Special Sentence Problems HINT: To check agreement in special sentences, rewrite them to put the subject and verb in the correct order. • Inverted Sentences – in an inverted sentence, the subject follows the verb • Ex. To get out of the sordid life on the streets struggled Pooh Bear. – The homeless man struggled to get (out of the sordid life) (on the streets).

Special Sentence Problems • Predicate Nominative: in sentences with a predicate nominative, the verb must agree with the subject, not the P. N. (what’s a predicate nominative? ) – Ex. The man’s most exciting experience at work is the paydays. - Ex. The paydays are the man’s most exciting experience at work.

Special Sentence Problems • Adjective Clauses: the verb in an adjective clause must agree with the word that the relative pronoun of the clause refers to – Ex. Mr. Smith[ who works for the telemarketing company] is our friend. – Ex. People [ who live on the streets] need help to find a job.

Try & Check • Pg. 118 Part B • Pg. 122 Part A #1 -5 • Pg. 125 Part A #1 -5

Pg. 118 Part B 1. few 2. All 3. any 4. everyone 5. some 6. nobody are is recognize has is reports

Pg. 122 Part A #1 -5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. flock is The Ad. of S. Holmes ethics are crew takes hours is holds

Pg. 125 Part A #1 -5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. time monument price trees celebrations comes is is grow are