Chin hui Azreen

3.0

Subject -Verb Agreement

The subject-verb agreement is necessary to formulate any sentence in the English language.in other words,every English sentence must have a subject,and it must also have a verb.the doerof any action in asentence is the subject,and the action that is taken is the verb. The subject and verb must agree in number: both must be singular, or both must be plural. Problems occur in the present tense because one must add an -s or -es at the end of the verb when the subjects or the entity performing the action is a singular third person: he, she, it, or words for which these pronouns could substitute. Although you are probably already familiar with basic subject-verb agreement, this chapter begins with a quick review of basic agreement rules. Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural. In the present tense, nouns and verbs form plurals in opposite ways: nouns ADD an s to the singular form; verbs REMOVE the s from the singular form.

The subject-verb agreement rules apply to all personal pronouns except I and you, which, although SINGULAR, require PLURAL forms of verbs. 1

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If the subject is an uncountable noun,a singular verb must be used. Example: 1. Her hair is dyed red and her skin is very tanned. 2. The grass in her backyard looks very untidy. 3. If I had a farm, I will let the sheep roam freely. Notice the difference between singular and plural forms in the following examples: Singular The student sings. (He or she sings) The bird does migrate. (It does) Plural Your children sing. (They sing) Those birds do migrate. (They do)

In order to find out if your subject and verb agree, you need to be able to identify the subject of your sentence. Here are some helpful hints that will help you to decipher where your subject is and where it is not.

If there is more than one subject,use a plural verb. Example: 1. Ronaldo and kaka were in Europe recently. 2. Badminton and swimming are my favourite sport. 2

Chin hui Azreen However,be carefu if two words are used to refer to one thing or person. In this case, we must use the singular verb. Example: 1. Sweet and sour chicken is my favourite dish. 2. Tom and jerry is my daughers favourite cartoon. A few nouns can be either plural or singular, depending on whether they mean a group or separate individuals. These words are rarely used as plurals in modern writing: The jury is sequestered. Subject: jury The jury are having an argument. Subject: jury Verb: are having Verb: is

A few subjects look plural but are really singular or vice versa: The news of the discovery is spreading. Subject: news The mass media have publicized the facts. Subject: mass media The data amaze everyone. Subject: data Verb: amaze Verb: have publicized Verb: is

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4.0

Connectors

(Definition) A word that is used to join words or sentences. Connectors show time and sequence, contrast, listing and adding, emphasis,results

4.0.1 Time and sequence: Next - At the time or occasion immediately following (next the doctor examined his neck) Soon - in the near future (the doctor will soon be here) Later - at some eventual time in the future (later she realized the purse was missing) After - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time (two hours after that) Afterwards - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time (it didn t happen until afterward) Since - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time At last - as the end result of a succession or process Late - later than usual or than expected And so on - continuing in the same way Immediately - without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening After a short time - immediately

4.0.2 Contrast: Butintroduces something in contrast or unexpected Howeverdespite anything to the contrary (I m a little afraid, however I ll try it.) On the other handfrom another point of view Althoughin spite of the fact that (although I love you, I have to leave.) Yetbut Stilldespite anything to the contrary In spite of regardless of, in defiance of (went shopping in spite of the bad weather) On the contrarycontrary to expectations Even sodespite anything to the contrary For all thatcontrary to expectations Otherwisein another and different manner After allconcluding

4.0.3 Listing and adding: In additionused to add more items Alsoadding something similar Moreoverin addition 4

Chin hui Azreen Similarlyadding something similar Besidesin addition Firstmentioning the first item of a list Finallythe last topic of a list And thenin sequence Againrepetition In the first placementioning the first item of a list Tooalso Equally importantmentioning something similar Lastthe last item of a list Besides - in addition to

4.0.4 Emphasis: Evenused as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected Actuallyused to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly Surelywithout any doubt In factin reality or actuality Certainlysurely Indeedin truth Undoubtedlywith no doubt

4.0.5 Results: Thereforeas a result Consequentlyto mention consequences As a resultto mention result For - for the reason that

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5.0

Exercises

5.0.1 Subjec-verb agreement Exercise 1 Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb. 1. The price of these jeans is reasonable. 2. The book borrowed from the library_____________on my desk. 3. The boy who won the two medals______________a friend of mine. 4. Bread and butter____________our daily food. 5. The famous singer and composer____________arrived. 6. Collecting matchboxes_______________one of his favourite pastimes. 7. The quality of the candies____________poor. 8. Neither his father nor his mother____________ mahjong. 9. Neither of his parents_____________fond of playing mahjong. 10. Many a student_____________made the same mistake.

Exercise 2 Select the correct word from the brackets. 1. We (want , wants) to go to the seaside for a holiday during the summer months. 2. You need not (tell , tells) me what to do.I (know , knows) what (need , needs) to be done. 3. A great number of cattle (has , have) caught the deadly foot-and-mouth disease, and many (is , are ) dying. 4. The news reader on the radio (say , says ) that the price of coffee (is , are) falling rapidly. 5. I (do , does ) not think that every human being (need , needs ) money to be happy. 6. You (was, were ) told not to go out alone at night but you didnt (listen , listens). 7. The money (has , have) been stolen and so (has , have) all the gold bars. 8. Various (kind , kinds) of food was sold at the fair. 9. There (isnt , areant )much cake left after the party. 10. The members of the committed meeting (has , have ) decided to reward all high achievers. 6

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Exercise 3 Select the correct word from the brackets. 1. The football team (has , have) lost the game because (it , they )(was , were) not in top form. 2. All the children (has , have ) gone home with (its , her , their ) parents. 3. The information he gave the police (is , are) quite incorrect.I wonder where he got (it , them). 4. The police (has , have ) been working hard to capture the gangster and now (it , they)(has , have) succeeded. 5. They (has , have )been obstructing the view from the villa. 6. Please tell the ships crew that (they , it )can come on board and (it , they )can start work immediately. 7. A lot of us (is , are ) satisfied with the oil price (increase , increases). 8. The bunch of flowers (has , have) faded and we (need , needs) to get some more. 9. Below (is , are ) a list of words.You need to remember (it , them ). 10. She (do , does) as she (please , pleases).She (is , are ) given full freedom to do what she (want , wants).

Exercise 4 Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verb in brackets.

1. This candidate looks (look) very promising.Just think about his experience (experience).He lives (live) in New York and works (work) in a multinational company.He travels (travel) extensively and writes (write) in many magazines.I think (think) we will definitely interview (interview) him.

2. There__________(be) a terrible storm last month and many trees___________(fall).The telephone lines_________(be) down and many people_________(be) stranded.Roads_________(be) blocked for several hours.Several homes____________(suffer) damage. 3. I asked Tom for some information but he___________(be) not able to__________(get) me any.I__________(think) I will___________(surf) the internet and___________(look) for it myself. 7

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4. Marina always__________(complain) about the poor quality of food in the canteen.I am surprised she has not reported the matter to the health authorities. ___________(Its , They ) will definitely__________(take , takes) action and____________(fine , fines) the canteen operator. 5. Samatha____________(believe) in ghosts and reincarnation.She even__________(try) to convince me but I_________(do , does) not___________(listen , listens) to her stories.My friends also_____________(think , thinks) that she__________(be) a bit crazy. 6. The constant humming from the word processor___________(give) me a headache.I___________(need) to___________(take) anspirin and___________(lie) down a while. Exercise 5 Underline the correct verb for each of the following sentences. 1. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator (is / are) going to have to make a decision. 2. None of the girls (is / are) married. 3. (Is / Are) my boss or my sister in the union going to win this court case? 4. A high percentage of the people (was / were) voting for the new school to be built. 5. Three-quarters of the student body (is / are) against the tuition hike. 6. Some of the grain (appear / appears) to be contaminated. 7. Everyone selected to serve on this jury (have / has) to be willing to give up a lot of time. 8. None of the children (are / is) as sweet as Mary Ann. 9. Neither the doctors nor the nurse (is /are) responsible. Exercise 6 Study the sentences below.Put a tick (O) for sentences with the correct use of subjectagreement and a cross (x) for the wrong use of subject-verb agreement.Then write the correct word at the side. Example :Everyone have to return their books by today. (x) have has 1. The school is buying a new printing machine today. ( O)____________________ 2. Either the boy or the girl are mistaken. ( 3. He likes mathematics. ( )____________________ verb

)__________________

Chin hui Azreen 4. Fifty five minutes are not enough to complete the task. ( 5. Arguing and finger-pointing does not help us. ( )__________________

)__________________

6. Neither he nor she are to be blamed. ( )___________________ 7. Two thousand ringgit was paid for the renovation. ( )___________________ 8. One of the worker seem to be absent every week. ( )___________________ )___________________ )___________________

9. Neither the principal nor the teacher is coming today. ( 10. Either the girls or your servant is going to the market. (

Exercise 7 Underline the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject. 1. Siti and her sisters (is , are) at school. 2. Either my mother or my father (is , are) accompanying me to the movies. 3. The dog or the cat (is , are) outside. 4. Neither the girlsteam nor the boysteam (was , were) given the award. 5. Balan and vijay (doesnt , dont) want to see that movie. 6. Ten milliliters of water (was , were ) added , one at a time, to the mixture. 7. One of my friends (is , are) baking the wedding cake. 8. The acrobat ,with all his stunts ,(entertain , entertains)the audience daily. 9. The movie ,including all the previews (take , takes) about two hours to watch. 10. The players ,as well as the captain ,(prefer , prefers) to have training on Sundays.

Exercise 8 Underline the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject. 1. Either answer (is , are) acceptable. 2. Every one of those gems (is , are) imported. 3. Nobody (appreciate , appreciates) the trouble I go through to get some extra money. 4. (Is , Are) the news on channel 3 or 4? 5. Economics (is , are) Neetas favourite subject ,while civics(is , are) Susans favourite subject. 6. Ten ringgit(is , are) the price of a movie these days. 9

Chin hui Azreen 7. (Is , Are) the tweezers in this drawer? 8. Your new trousers(is , are) at the launderette. 9. There (was , were) twenty bars of chocolates in that bag.Now there(is , are) only one left! 10. The committee (consider , considers) everyones viewpoint before making a decision.

Exercise 9 Underline the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject. 1. The committee members(comprise , comprises)many professionals. 2. The Prime Minister and his wife(greets , greet) the guests at the open house. 3. All of the CDs, even the scratched ones, (is , are) in this case. 4. The workere , together with their leader (has , have) been trying to demand a raise. 5. One of the passengers (was , were) badly injured in the accident. 6. Ten per cent of the people (live , lives)in the interior parts. 7. Twenty per cent of the rice (is , are) imported. 8. Half the fruits (is , are) fresh. 9. Half the flour (is , are) fresh. 10. Ten litres of milk (was , were) used to make a huge pot of custard.

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Chin hui Azreen 5.0.2 Connectors Exercise 1 Select the correct connector from the brackets 1. We went to the National Museum yesterday.______________,we saw many interesting exhibit.(There , Finally) 2. Mr Toh caught three boys smoking in our school toilet.____________,they were suspended for a fortnight. 3. We went for a movie last night.______________,we had supper at a nearby restaurant.(Afterwards , Besides) 4. The field was soggy after the heavy downpour.___________,the boys went to play football.(Futhermore , In spite of that ) 5. Mrs Vellu spent her whole day doing countless chores._____________after dinner,she sat down to watch TV(Besides , Finally) 6. David there are many reasons why you should stop smoking._____________and most importantly,itss bad for your health.(Furthermore , Firstly) 7. Sheila usually goes to bed at around 10.30p.m.____________,she always says her prayers.(Finally , Before that) 8. It rained very heavilly yesterday._______________,many areas were flooded.(As a result , Nevertheless) Exercise 2 Fill in the blanks with suitable connectors Example :Hashim had a bad toothache.Therefore/so, he had to go to the dentist. 1. Initially ,Mrs Lim went to the supermarket._____________,she went to the post office. 2. Last Saturday, Lisa went to the zoo______________she saw many animals. 3. First , Puan Rosmah poured a cup of tea for her friend._______________she poured one for herself. 4. My grandfather has his breakfast at around 7.30a.m._____________,he reads the morning paper. 5. There was an earthquake in Indonesia recently._____________,many people were made homeless. 6. We will have a science test during the first period tomorrow.____________,we will have a history test. 7. My fathers car wouldnt start this morning.____________,he had to call the mechanic.

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Chin hui Azreen Exercise 3 Complete the following sentences in a logical manner. Example :we went for a flower exhibition last Sunday.There ,we saw many varieties of beautiful flowers. 1. We spent the whole day at the beach.Finally at sunset,_________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 2. Satwant was caught cheating during his history test.As a result,__________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 3. As Mrs Lee was walking home from the market ,she was caught in a heavy downpour and was soaked to the skin.Consequenlty,___________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 4. Jamie is extremely fat.In spite of that ,______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 5. The maid cleaned the house and washed the clothers.After that,__________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 6. I love my mother because shes kind and generous.Beside that,__________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 7. Ann doesnt want to go on the camping trip with her friends because she hates outdoor activities.Furthermore,____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 8. Siti went for countless job interview.Finally,_________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4 Fill in the blanks with a logical or sequence connector each 1. There is no more food left. ______ there is plenty of drinks 2. The Interact Club has done well to help the poor. ______ the Welfare Club has done well too 3. The documents will be scrutinized by the police. ______ they will be sent back tot he relevant authority. 4. The retailer has been making losses. ______ he intends to wind up his business. 14 5. Wash the potatoes first. ______ you can boil them 12

Chin hui Azreen 6. We have been trying to contact Michael for the past few days. ______ we managed to trace him to a hotel in town. 7. Life in the country may not be as exciting as life in the city. ______ you are close to nature which provides peace and quietness. 8. The dog will bark without fail every time the ice-cream man passes by. ______ it will start howling. 9. Let us not be complacent with ourselves. ______ we may lose out in the final round. 10. Lopez has experienced poverty and hardship before. ______ he has a sympathetic heart towards the poor and needy.

Exercise 5 Fill in the blank with the connector so or because.Write the sentences in your exercise book. Example:I prefer to sit outside because it is cooler. 1. This raincoat belongs to Rashid___________make sure you return it to him. 2. The temperature was very high_____________all the leaves were burned by the sun. 3. Rohanah and her friends are rather unhappy____________they were not allowed to watch the netball game. 4. The guards stopped that group of supporters from entering the stadium__________they behaved badly. 5. You must return those books to the library today__________they are all due by tomorrow. 6. The taxi driver drove as quickly as he could____________we reached the station with half an hour to spare. 7. The manager switched on all the sportlight__________the theater was very brightly lit. 8. Amir wore his best clothes___________he wanted to impress the interviewers. 9. Please remember to bring the ticket and identity cards__________you cant enter the hall without them. 10. He bought himself a magnifying glass___________he can look closely at his special stamps.

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Exercise 6 Fill in the blanks with suitable connectors And When or but however because moreover though as if

1. Lydia likes to sing_________ dance _________ she is happy. 2. We can paint our house red ______ white __________ we must select a good painter. 3. Harry is intelligent ___________ he is lazy. He must wake up _____ he will regret it. 4. I left the party __________I was bored, __________it was quite late. 5. He is cheerful__________he has worked the whole day. 6. I allowed him in ________ I thought he was a friend ________he tried to rob me. 7. You will do well ________you study hard. 8. My daughters either watch TV _________sleep on Sundays. 9. Susan is very fat ________very active. 10. I met by friend in the park ________ invited her to tea.

Exercise 7 Fill in the blanks with suitable connectors And when or but even if because since though as soon as if

1. A student must obey ________he may leave. 2. Jane ________ Peter have been chosen to receive the guest. 3. After the trip Sam came to work ________he was very tired. 4. Bring some sandwiches ________you will be hungry. 5. They jumped over the stream _________ ran home.

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Chin hui Azreen 6. The dog ran after the rabbit _________ could not catch him. 7. My aunt is ill _________ I will visit her tomorrow. 8. The show started _____________the chief guest arrived. 9. You will enjoy the concert _________you love music. 10. This horse will take you to the village you ____________ he is tired.

Exercise 8 Underline the correct answer 1. 2. 3. 4. You can come to the meeting (so that , as if , as long as) you dont say anything. I am not leaving (while , until , so that) I get an apology from you. The students can visit the science centre,(but , or , for) the National Planetarium. He,(and , as well as , or) you, is guilty.

5. Mary is rich (and , yet , so) she is not contented. 6. I will do this (so that , even if , since) you desire it. 7. My pet dog always sleeps(where , if , while ) he likes. 8. I returned home (until , unless , after) I had finished work. 9. You look (as if , so that , if) you have seen a ghost. 10. The winters here are very cold (so that , while , since ) the summers are very hot.

Exercise 9 Fill in each of the blanks with the correct conjunction. 1. Tony is willing to help ,_____________he is busy at the moment. 2. _____________the job is interesting ,it pays badly. 3. You can write the report when you want_____________its ready by the end of the month. 4. I want Yoges to be in charge_____________I come back from my holiday. 5. You can submit your application today____________the next day. 6. I m learning English____________I can get a better job. 7. We are saving every ringgit____________pay for our Paris trip. 8. A healthy lifestyle ,_____________a balanced diet ,are important to every child.

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5.0.3 Answer Key Subject-verb agreement Exercise 1 1 4 7 10 is is is has 2 5 8 are has plays 3 is 6 is 9 is

Exercise 2 1 3 5 7 9 want has , are do , needs has , have isnt 2 4 6 8 10 tell , know , needs says , is were , listen kinds have

Exercise 3 1 3 5 7 9 has , it , was is , it have are , increase is , them 2 have , their 4 have , they , have 6 they , they 8 has , need 10 does , please , is ,wants

Exercise 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 (looks , experience , lives , works , travels , writes , think , interview) (was , fell , were , were , were , suffered) (was , get , think , surf , look) (complains , they , take , fine) (believes , tries , do , listen , think , is) (gives , need , take , lie)

Exercise 5 1 2 3 4 5 is is are were is 6 appears 7 has 8 is 9 is

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Chin hui Azreen Exercise 6 1 2 3 4 5 O X O X O are is are is 6 7 8 9 10 X are--is O X seem--seems O O

Exercise 7 1 are 5 dont 9 takes Exercise 8 1 5 9 is is ,is were , is 2 is 6 is 10 considers 3 appreciates 7 are 4 is 8 are 2 is 6 were 10 prefer 3 is 7 is 4 was 8 entertains

Exercise 9 1 5 9 comprise was is 2 greets 6 live 10 was 3 are 7 is 4 8 have are

Connector Exercise 1 1 There 2 Consequently 3 Afterwards 7 Before that 4 In spite of that 8 As a result

5 Finally 6 Firstly

Exercise 2 1 Then/Afterwards 3 Then/Next 5 Consequently/As a result 7 So, Therefore 17 2 and 4 After that/Then 6 After that/then

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Exercise 3 Any appropriate answer that makes sense.

Exercise 4 1 However 3 Then 5 Afterwards 7 Nevertheless 9 Otherwise Exercise 5 1 3 5 7 9 So Because Because So Because 2 So 4 Because 6 So 8 Because 10 So 2 Similarly 4 Therefore 6 Eventually 8 After someone 10 Therefore

Exercise 6 1 3 5 7 9 and , when however , or though if But 2 4 6 8 10 or , but because , moreover as , but or And

Exercise 7 1 3 5 7 9 or but and so since 2 and 4 or 6 but 8 as soon as 10 even if

Exercise 8 1 as long as 2 until 3 or 4 as well as 5 yet 6 7 8 9 10 since where after as if while 18

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Exercise 9 1 2 3 4 5 but although/though as long as until or 6 so that 7 in order to 8 and 9 so/there/thus 10 or

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6.0 Reference
Text:
Effective Text for MUET by Koh Soo Ling

Internet:
1. http://www.eslgold.com/grammar/sentence_connectors.html 2. www.polseguera.org/advanced_english_grammar/connectors.php 3. www.grammar-quizzes.com/connectsum.html 4. www.grammar-quizzes.com/9-10.html 5. http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/subverag.html

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