REVIEW ON SENTENCE CRAFT

IN ALL ENGLISH SENTENCES, THE NUMBER

OF THE SUBJECT CONTROLS THE FORM OF
THE VERB. BELOW ARE THE RULES:

1. A verb must agree with its subject in person and in number.

Rica listens. We listen.
She reads novels. The girls read novels.
2. You always ties with a plural verb, whether it refers to one or
many.
You are sweet.
You have been very kind.
You, women, are incredible.
 IN ALL ENGLISH SENTENCES, THE NUMBER
OF THE SUBJECT CONTROLS THE FORM OF
THE VERB. BELOW ARE THE RULES:
3. Singular pronouns tie with singular verbs. These pronouns are singular:
each, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, some , no one, nobody, one,
many, a one, another, anything, either, neither.
Each of them is responsible.
Everyone has arrived.
4. Words joined to a subject by with, together with, in ad- to, and
including do not affect the verb.

a. The machine with all its parts sells for five hundred pesos.
b. His property, including two cars and a lot is for sale.
 IN ALL ENGLISH SENTENCES, THE NUMBER
OF THE SUBJECT CONTROLS THE FORM OF
THE VERB. BELOW ARE THE RULES:
5. A collective noun ties either with a singular or plural verb depending on
whether the group is thought of as a whole or as individuals.
Our class sings very well
Our class do not agree on the songs for the program.
6. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning tie with a singular verb.
Dramatics is fascinating.
Measles is sometimes serious .
7. When the word number is used in the sense of “many” it is plural, when
it refers to an arithmetical number, it is singular.
A number of students are waiting outside.
The number of students on the waiting list is small.
A number is assigned to each student.
IN ALL ENGLISH SENTENCES, THE NUMBER
OF THE SUBJECT CONTROLS THE FORM OF
THE VERB. BELOW ARE THE RULES:
8. Fractions and words such as all, none, some willy gular if bulk or a total
number or amount is implied, and plural if individuals are considered.
One half of the apples are rotten.
One half of this apple is rotten.
9. If two subjects are joined by or ,either… or neither…nor , the verb agrees
with the subject nearer it.
Neither the President nor the other officers have come .
Either they or I am to blame.
10. If one subject is used affirmatively and the other negatively, the verb agrees
with the subject that is used affirmatively.
You, not he, are at fault.
She, not I, is responsible.
 IN ALL ENGLISH SENTENCES, THE NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT
CONTROLS THE FORM OF THE VERB. BELOW ARE THE RULES:

11. The verb ties with a relative pronoun used as subject; the relative
pronoun ties with the number of the person of its antecedent.

He is one of ten students who are suspended .

She is one of the most attractive girls who are active.

12. A compound subject joined by and ties with a plural verb, except when
the subjects refer to the same person or thing.
My English Instructor and adviser is absent. (same person)
My English Instructor and my adviser are absent. (two persons)
 PRACTICE EXERCISES

1. You (are, is) not graduating this year, are you?

2. The members of the Board of trustees (want, wants) to construct a
new building.
3. The high cost of goods often (come, comes) as a surprise.

4. Your voice, as well as your facial expression (give, gives) you away.
5. The danger of earthquakes (has, have) been exaggerated .