Unit 2 . Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement Pretest Circle the best answer. 1. Statistics (is) (are) a difficult course for people to understand. 2. Not even one of the hundred students who took the test (has) (have) passed. 3. It is fortunate that the wishes of the community (was) (were) heeded before the new highway was built. 4, The number of women who smoke (has) (have) increased. 5. Statistics show: that approximately 40 percent of all marriages in the United States (ends) (end) in divorce. 6. A study of the difference between synthetic and natural vitamins (is) (are) needed. 7, My daughters’ instructor (seems) (seem) very competent. 8. What you eat and how much you exercise (is) (are) important factors in a weight loss program. 9. Farmers in the midwestern section of the United States raise cattle and (grows) (grow) a variety of crops. 10. People (is) (are) worried about the high rate of unemployment. Explanation In order to determine subject-verb agreement, it is important to decide which word (or words) of the subject agrees with the verb. In the following sentence license determines the form of the verb. The license, not the credit cards, was lost. fe My license, rather than my credit cards, was lost. In this next sentence, the doors, not the building, were hand carved. The building's wooden doors were hand carved. In some cases, the whole subject determines the form of the verb. — That the trees lose their leaves is a sign of winter.Agreement Study the following sentences. What words determine subject-verb agreement? If you are not sure, 'ook at the verb, Large supplies of petroleum were shipped from Alaska. A drop in prices is predicted for the coming year. The majority of these birds migrate for the winter. The maiority of the homework is useful. The hows’ mother was present at their graduation. A number of hooks on U.S. universities are in the library. umber of books on U.S. universities rorals fifteen. One of the most stressful aspects of student life iv final Alas! nats are the largest states in the United States. How the great pyramids of the world were built is still a mystery. About 0 percent of the crop was destroyed by insects. Over 20 percent o! the children have the flu. Notice in the third and fourth examples that birds (plural, count) and homework (noncount), not majoriny, determine the form of the verb. In the last two examples, crop and children, rather than percent, antec with the verb, When a noun is noncount, it takes the singular form of the verb. The mear has a lot of fat. Words such as news therefore, take the sit nd physics are noncount nouns, even though they end in -s. They would, ular form of the verb. The news of Kate's marriage is surprising. Sineulur count nouns, such as door and student, take the singular form of the verb. Plural count nouns, such as deors and students, take the plural form of the verb. Irregular plurals can Sometimes he confusing, This person always comes late. (singular) These peaple always come kate, (plural) The sticep és John's pet. (singular) ‘The sive were lined up two by two. (plural) Words like everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, someone, somebody, and each (one) are Lversone enjoys the annual folklore festival. 'Agreement Practice Exercise 1 : Circle the best answer. The women's courage during the flood (was) (were) exceptional. The majority of the TOEFL tests (is) (are) difficult. ‘There are two evening flights to Atlanta that (leaves) (leave) before 7:00. Local news (is) (are) on TV every night at 5:30. \d in the coffee cup. There (was) (were) much discussidn about salary raises. . Both the table and the chair (looks) (look) uncomfortable. A number of sheep (has) (have) died from a strange illness. 9. That the houses are being, put up for sale (is) (are) indicative of the economic situation. 10. The rock singer, along with his bodyguard, (was) (were) rushed away from the theater. T1. Only one of the fifty states in the United States (is) (are) an island. 12, The boat with 300 men, women, and children (was) (were) rescued by the Coast Guard. 13. A horse's teeth (reveals) (reve: Re. i: 14, The capital of the United States (has) (have) a number of interesting attractions. 15. What the cooks prepared for dinner (was) (were) received with enthusiasm. 16, None of the milk (is) (are) spoiled. 17. Fish (is) (are) dying because of polluted water, 18, The chances of passing the mathematics test (is) (are) five to one. 19. Some bottles of perfume (doesn’t) (don't) have labels. 20. Where the Olympic Games will be held (is) (are) determined long in advance. 1 a 4 5. Small amonnts of poison (was) (were) fou 6. 1, 8 Exercise 2 Circle the letter of the best answer. 1. “Who has been planning the dance?” “Everyone in the club —______ a c. has b, have d. are 2. “How much money did you spend?” c. was d. have 3. “Did you hear about the fire down the street?” “There —______ a lot of news about it on TV last night.” a, was c. is b. had d. wereAgreement Why are you buying all that food?” “Because a lot of people over for dinner.”” a, are coming c. comes b. coming d. is coming, 5, “Where are the hamburgers?” ‘Over there. And the bowls of fruit a, are being c. are bis d. have on the table.” 6. The children’s bedroom —____-____ upstairs on the second floor. ty c. there are b. are J. itis 7. “Why did they close the center of the city to automobiles?” “Because the number of contaminants in the air ng c. were in an increase d. were increasing A was incr h. will inere “The cuphoards are really empty.” “Yes, all the food eaten.” at. have heen c. has been b. iy been d. been 9. The forest trails any signs for campers. a. doesn't have c. don't have - aren't d. have 10, “Why did you change your major from economics to law?" Recause economics as interesting to me as law.” a. isn't ©. are b. doesn’t d. aren't Proneuns and Pronoun Agreement Pretest Circle the bes swer. J. Martha thinks (she) (her) is coming {or a visit in April. ‘There is much discussion between my associate and (1) (me) about how to spend the 3. Ate your children old enough to take care of (theirselves) (themselves)? 4 In order to square a number, multiply the number by (it) itself) Your reasons for missing class are valid and we will accept (them) (it) 2Agreement 6. Glenda Tackson is famous for (his) (her) role in the film Stevie. 7. Information from a lie detector test is not permissible in court because (it is) (is) not reliable. . ‘ 8. Every state in the United States makes (their) (its) own laws on matters such as education, marriage and divorce, and capital punishment. 9. (The cactus) (The cactus it) generally requires a small amount of water during the winter months 10. You take your car and we'll take (our) (ours). Explanation In formal English, an object pronoun, such as me, her, him, us, and them, is never used in subject position, I My brother and me-are planning a party for our parents, she Louise expects that-her-will get a scholarship. Likewise, a suhject pronoun, such as [and she, is never used as the object of a verb or a preposition. Alice made arrangements with John and J'to go to the play. her Call the dentist and tell-she I'll be late. him ma Mark says to put the potato chips between he-and ¥. In English. a pronoun must agree in gender and number with the noun it refers to. —— ——_ Nancy has hi?r book and Gury ad Ron have theirs. As originally written, the following sentences do not have proper agreement and are, therefore, incorrect. f them The deer were loose so we corraled 4+ yourselves Are you two enjoying yourself? In the second example, the suffix -selves, rather than -self, is used to refer to a plural subject. Note: The reflexive pronoun for they is themselves (not theirselves) and for he is himself (not hisself). The subject evervane, as well as everybody. anyone. anybody, someone, somebody, no onc, nobody, and each (person) agrees with the singular form of the pronoun (his, her, its). Everyone must consider his (her) options. Each student is responsible for himself (herself). 3Agreement Tr would be considere J i: correct in formal Erelish to use a plural pronoun form (their, etc.), even thourh it is commonly used in spoken English. : his Cher) It’s raining and no one brought their umbrella, While pronoun agreement occurs in English, it does not take place within the subject because it is considered repetinve. Sentences such as the following would not be correct in English ve. The workers on the farm they: have started a cooper: A final comment on pronouns concerns the pronoun it, It is commonly used in subject position in English, as in Meg thinks a new school will be built, but I don’t think it’s possible. Ir iy necessary and should not be eliminated, i Co First they told me was easy to get a loan and now they tell me,is impossible. Practice zed portion of the sentence is cérreet (C) or Study the following setences. Decide if the it incorrect (I), Civele your answer. 1. The horse is capable of carrying sheir rider quickly for long distances. C 1 hho lived in the town for many years, was known for her good business Artene Allen, sense. CF s 3. Abraham Lincoln taught hisself to read at a young age. C1 a 4, Vera, along with Jay and me, had her teeth checked. C . 5. Aithough scientists have studied the Earth for many centuries, theories about their origin are still widely discussed. CT ‘ 6. Newspapers and magazines they have become popular reading material among people with little time to read. C1 Animas have a variety of ways of protecting themselves. C1 8. Alan got his paycheck but Roberta didn’t get hers. C 1 2, Fach person in the contest must present shemsclves to the judges. C 1 1. Many people attach sentimental value to their jewelry and are unwilling to part with it atany cost. CoE ;: 11. Do you think és necessary to buy a couch for the study? C 1 12. Many parents wish to know when they should tell their children that themselves were adopted. © 1 13. The two of you shouldn't take yourself so scriously. C1 \ 14. Carol and Paul would like us to speak to they. C1 1S, Mad direetions on all but one of the tests have confused the students, © 1 14Agreement Final Test Study the following sentences. Decide if the italicized portion of the sentence is correct (C) or incorrect (1). Circle your answer. 1. That the committee members cannot agree with each other has caused a delay in the decision, 1 2. The children are old enough to take care of theirselves. CT 3. The suggestion of combining the two methods of teaching appeals tome. C I 4, Mr. and Mrs. Wright's coming have been a pleasure. © 1 $. There is disagreement between my husband and me about what kind of car to pur- chase. C1 6, Many couples who both work must hire someone to take care of their children fer they. C1 7. The basket of oranges, apples, and bananas was sent as a Christmas present. © T 8. There hive heen a report of several bombings by terrorist groups. C1 9, A different approach to the cnergy crisis if involves capturing ocean power. C 1 10, Louise Barnes, the new mayor of Youngsville, will give his inauguration speech on June 1s. C1* Review Test for Units 1 and 2 Circle the italicized portion of the sentence that is incorrect. 1. The United States, wilike many another countries, receives a large number of immi- ts yearly from all over the world, 2. A rive in the barometric pressure indicate a change of altitude or weather conditions 3. Humans Jove their haby toothy when they are young but soon begin to grow anot set 4, ‘The role of women in world politics have been changing steadily. 5. The han on nuclear arms has much supporters, both liberal and conservati all over the world, ‘s-flytrap, catch insects in their fea 6. A small manber of pling such as the Ven 7. Vitam C, whic’ is found in fruits such as orang gey and strawberries, if can prevent ecslisease Known as SCURVY. 8. A simail farmer who works for disself may be forced out of business alter several seasons oF aid weather ket commonly called a pouch. young i 9. A female hanwaren carr 16. Companies routinely give a fwo-weeks vacation to employees who have completed their first year of service.