WRITE DOWN

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT ALL TEXT IN RED.

SAT WRITING BOOT CAMP, SUMMER 2017
5.1 THE BASIC RULE

A VERB must agree with its SUBJECT.

5.1 FIND THE SUBJECT

Cross out all prepositional phrases:

The variety of free range chickens in the brown barn
The workers from the diamond mines of South Africa
The thrilling rumors in the newspaper about the disappearance of
Princess Diana
5.1 FIND THE SUBJECT

an original Gilmore Girls script signed by seven cast members

Where is the HEAD of this noun phrase? script

Is the noun phrase SINGULAR or PLURAL? singular
5.1 THE BASIC RULE

the treasures from the video game featuring

the Golden Banana of Tomnadashan

Where is the HEAD of this noun phrase? treasures

Is the noun phrase SINGULAR or PLURAL? plural
5.1 THE BASIC RULE

A surprising result in the debate among the seven candidates

( is / are) causing people to speculate about the election.

Where is the HEAD of the noun phrase? result

Is the noun phrase SINGULAR or PLURAL? singular
Which is the correct VERB? is
5.1 THE BASIC RULE

The results of the exciting basketball game in the finals of last

years tournament ( is / are ) unlikely to be forgotten.

Where is the HEAD of the noun phrase? results

Is the noun phrase SINGULAR or PLURAL? plural
Which is the correct VERB? are
 PROBLEM SETS 1 AND 2

Turn to pages 34 and 35 in your writing textbook.

5.2 AND

And creates a plural subject UNLESS

the subject is a title, a company, or a single food.
5.2 AND

Jack and Jill ( is / are ) novice hill climbers.

War and Peace ( is / are ) a long novel.

Abercrombie and Fitch ( is / are ) having a big sale.
Macaroni and cheese ( is / are) my favorite dinner.
5.2 AND SPECIAL CASES

Asking questions and actually listening to the answers

( is / are ) the mark of a good conversationalist.

Eating a balanced diet and getting daily exercise

( is / are ) keys to a healthy lifestyle.
5.3 OR AND NOR

The noun closest to the verb is the subject.

5.3 OR AND NOR
The twins or Robert ( is / are) responsible for the graffiti.
Robert or the twins ( is / are ) responsible for the graffiti.

( Has / Have ) the pencils or the notebook arrived?

( Has / Have ) the notebook or the pencils arrived?
5.3 OR AND NOR

Neither gelato nor brownies ( is / are ) available tonight.

Neither brownies nor gelato ( is / are ) available tonight.
 PROBLEM SET 3

Turn to page 38 in your writing textbook.

5.4 IT AND THERE

Find the subject.

5.4 IT AND THERE
IT is always singular:
It is time to go.
It is important to brush your teeth.

THERE depends on the sentence:

There ( was / were) a problem with your calculations.
There ( was / were ) several protestors at the movie theater.
5.4 IT AND THERE

There ( was / were ) many students on the honor roll.

There ( is / are) a place I like to go to meditate.
 PROBLEM SET 4

Turn to page 40 in your writing textbook.

5.5 COLLECTIVE NOUNS

Collective nouns are singular UNLESS

the parts of the group are acting as individuals.
5.5 COLLECTIVE NOUNS

What is a collective noun? A noun that represents a group.

Examples: flock, team, family, herd, army, audience, pack, swarm

5.5 COLLECTIVE NOUNS
Collective nouns are singular
UNLESS the members are acting as individuals.
The team ( is / are ) going to Arizona for spring break.
The team ( is / are ) putting on their helmets.

The flock of geese ( is / are ) flying south.

The flock of geese ( is / are ) flapping their wings.
5.5 COLLECTIVE NOUNS
Exception: When collective nouns mean many, they are plural.

A lot of people ( is / are

are) going to the rally.
A bunch of games ( is / are ) on sale this weekend.
A number of people ( has / have ) expressed concerns.
A variety of rides ( is / are ) available.
 PROBLEM SET 5

Turn to page 43 in your writing textbook.

END OF PART ONE
5.6 RELATIVE PRONOUNS

The verb matches the subject

that the relative clause describes.
5.6 RELATIVE PRONOUNS

Remember, relative pronouns are THAT, WHICH, and WHO.

The book that ( is / are ) assigned in English is a long novel.

Ants, which ( is / are ) small insects, often invade our homes.
There are two candidates who ( has / have ) a chance of winning.
 PROBLEM SET 6

Turn to page 45 in your writing textbook.

5.7 PHYSICS AND STATISTICS

The words physics and statistics are always singular

UNLESS they are talking about data or formulas.
5.7 PHYSICS AND STATISTICS

Physics ( is / are ) my favorite class.

Statistics ( was / were ) my fathers specialty.

The physics of planetary motion ( is / are ) quite complex.

The statistics available ( is / are ) strongly in support of the plan.
5.8 INTERRUPTERS

Cross out all interrupters.

5.8 INTERRUPTERS

My brother (and my sister) ( is / are ) in the living room.

My brother, as well as my sister, ( is / are ) in the living room.
My brotherand my sister( is / are ) in the living room.
5.8 INTERRUPTERS

The girls, as well as Tom, ( hum / hums ) quietly.

Sam, in addition to his brother, ( sleep / sleeps ) in the tent.
The hunters, with their two guides, ( like / likes ) to stalk deer.
 PROBLEM SET 7

Turn to page 47 in your writing textbook.

5.9 UNCONVENTIONAL PLURALS

Some nouns have irregular plurals.

5.9 UNCONVENTIONAL PLURALS
Singular Plural
Goose Geese
Ox Oxen
Deer Deer
Phenomenon Phenomena
Medium Media
Datum Data
Passerby Passersby
5.10 INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Either and neither are always singular.

So are each, everyone, and anyone.
5.10 INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Do we remember what we learned about OR and NOR?

Either the sophomore or the seniors ( is / are ) leaving school.

Neither Julias brothers nor her sister ( is / are) eating dessert.
5.10 INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

However, EITHER or NEITHER by themselves are singular.

Either ( is / are ) acceptable to me.

Neither ( is / are ) necessary.
5.10 INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Each ( is / are ) worth ten dollars.

Anyone ( is / are ) able to apply for the job.
Everyone ( is / are ) welcome at the party.
 PROBLEM SET 8

Turn to page 50 in your writing textbook.

THE END