ACADEMIC WRITING IApril 26th 2012

Today• Subject-verb agreement.

• Practice essay.

Review class• Monday (April 30th ).

• Time: 4:30 – 5:30

• Place: Rm. 508.

• Please come with any questions you have about the exam (except, “What are the answers?”).

Subject-verb agreement

• “Do I need an –s at the end of the verb or not?”

Subject-verb agreement• There is too many pictures on the wall.

• Everybody but Andrew want to go home.

• The monkey like to eat bananas.

The subjects and verbs don’t agree

Subject-verb agreement

• Basic things to remember:

• A plural subject goes with a plural verb.•

- There are too many pictures on the wall.

A singular subject goes with a singular verb.

• - Everybody but Andrew wants to go home. - The monkey likes to eat bananas.

Subject-verb agreement• All dogs run to their food bowls at dinner time.

• dogs = plural subject• run = plural verb

• The dog runs toward his food bowl at dinner time.

• dog = singular subject• runs = singular verb

Subject-verb agreement• In the present tense:

• singular verbs add an –s suffix to the end of verbs; plural verbs do not.

Subject-verb agreement

•So far, very easy, right?!

Subject-verb agreement

• Two (or more) singular nouns joined by and• make a plural subject.

• The dog and the cat look out the window.

Subject-verb agreement• When each or every precedes two (or more) singular

nouns joined by and, it is a singular subject.

• Every dog and cat looks out the window.

• It does not matter how many singular nouns are joined with and, the subject is STILL singular:

• Every dog, cat, gorilla, tiger, bear, turtle, and bird looks out the window.

Subject-verb agreement• Pronouns like everyone and everybody seem plural, BUT• they are always singular (and need a singular verb).

• Everyone needs a hug sometimes.

• Everybody who bought a car is happy today.

Subject-verb agreement• Phrases that come between a subject pronoun and its

verb may contain plural words…this is confusing.

• Each of the basketball players is excited about tonight’s game.

Subject-verb agreement• Other interrupting phrases:

• As well as including• Along with in addition to• Together withespecially

• The mouse, as well as the birds, watch Tony, the scary tiger. =

• The mouse, as well as the birds, watches Tony, the scary tiger.

wrong (even if it looks right)

Subject-verb agreement• Hint:

• When checking for agreement, leave out parts you don’t need (interrupting phrases).

• Everyone in the contest want to win.• - Everyone want to win. ?? (should be wants)

• The tigers, especially Tony, wants to eat the deer.• - The tigers wants to eat. ?? (should be want)

Subject-verb agreement• either…or, …

• neither…. nor, …. • • not only…but also…

• These phrases will have two subjects, and can be confusing if one is plural and one is singular.

Subject-verb agreement• either…or, … • neither…. nor, …. • not only…but also…

Example:

Not only the professor but also the students wish the class would end.

Not only the students, but also the professor wishes the class would end.

Subject-verb agreement• either…or, … • neither…. nor, …. • not only…but also…

• Whichever subject is closest to the verb will decide the singular or plural form of the verb.

Subject-verb agreement• Here and there.

• Here is the onions you need for the soup.

• In the fridge is the peppers you might want to add.

• Problem: Here and there are never the subject.

Subject-verb agreement• Here and there.

• Here are the onions you need for the soup.

• In the fridge are the peppers you might want to add.

• Problem: Here and there are never the subject.