Agreement

1
Agreement

• Subjects and Verbs,
• Pronouns and Antecedents

2
Verbs need to agree in number with their subjects

• Singular subjects take singular verbs
• That is beautiful.
• Writing verses for greeting cards sounds
  fun.
• Plural subjects take plural verbs.
• Those are beautiful.
• These songs were performed on stage.

3
The number of a subject usually is not determined
by a word in a phrase that follows the subject.

• This tape is by the Boston Pops.
• This tape of songs is by the Boston Pops.
• The teacher was fascinated by the exhibit.
• The teacher, as well as her students, was
  fascinated by the exhibit.

4
Indefinite Pronouns

• The following pronouns are considered singular as
  subjects anybody, anything, anyone, each,
  either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither,
  nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone,
  something
• Everyone in the Pep Club is wearing school colors.

5
Indefinite Pronouns

• The following pronouns are considered plural as
  subjects both, few, many, several.
• Both of the games were postponed.
• Several of the juniors have volunteered.

6
Indefinite Pronouns

• The following pronouns can be singular or plural
  based on their meaning in a sentence all, any,
  more, most, none, some.
• All of the vegetable garden has been planted.
  All refers to the singular garden
• All of the vegetables have been planted.
• All refers to the plural vegetables

7
Compound Subjects

• Subjects joined by and take the plural (unless
  naming only one thing).
• Singular subjects joined by or or nor take the
  singular.
• When a singular and plural are joined by or or
  nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• Neither the coach nor players were ready.

8
Collective Nouns (102)

• A collective noun may be singular or plural,
  depending on its meaning in the sentence.
• If it is referring to the group as a unit it is
  singular. When referring to the individual parts
  of the group, it is plural.
• Think of amounts of numbers in the same way.
• Five thousand bricks is a heavy load.
• Five thousand bricks are scattered around.

9
Odd Subjects

• Some nouns that are plural take singular verbs
  (civics, economics, genetics, mathematics,
  summons, etc)
• Some nouns take the plural even when they refer
  to singular items (scissors, Olympics, slacks,
  glasses, etc)
• Most titles of creative works, countries, cities,
  and organizations are singular, even if they are
  written in the plural.
• The Centers for Disease Control is based in
  Maryland.

10
Homework- Due Tuesday

• Ch. 5 ex. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 Rev. C, D, E, F

11
Homework- Due Thursday

• Ch. 5 ex. 3, 5, 6 Rev. C

12
Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement

• The antecedent is the noun or pronoun that the
  pronoun refers to.
• Tom spilled his coffee.
• THE RULES FOR PRONOUN AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT
  ARE THE SAME FOR THE RULES FOR SUBJECT AND VERB
  AGREEMENT..

13
Pronouns and Antecedents

• . So, the pronoun and antecedent must agree in
  number, gender, and person (first, second, or
  third)
• One thing thats a little different with an
  antecedent that doesnt use gender, the pronoun
  must be both masculine and feminine (remember the
  usage rule!)
• Anyone going on the field trip needs to
  bring his or her lunch.

14
Indefinite Pronouns

• Youve seen these before with subjects and verbs.
  Remember that there are ones that are always
  singular (anyone, neither, somebody), ones that
  are always plural (both), and some that can be
  either (some, all)
• So, if one of these is the antecedent, you must
  have the pronoun match it

15
Indefinite Pronouns

• For example
• Some of the computer technology is difficult
  to understand perhaps she can clarify its
  meaning.
• Some of the computer terms are difficult to
  understand perhaps she can clarify their
  meanings.
• (See how the subject, verb, and pronoun all
  agree!! Its magic!)

16
Compound Antecedents

• Treat them just like compound subjects and make
  the pronoun agree.
• Caveat (warning)
• Sometimes two antecedents are joined by and,
  but are actually treated as a single unit, and
  thus the pronoun will be singular (generally, and
  means the subjects are plural)
• The corned beef and cabbage was so good I
  had another plate of it. (Again, the subject,
  verb, and pronoun all agree!)

17
Special Problems with Antecedents and Pronouns

• The same problems with subjects and verbs,
  including the problems with collective nouns
  (antecedents), plural nouns (antecedents)
  considered singular, and amounts.
• The trick (just like with subjects and verbs)
  Determine whether the antecedent is referring to
  a unit (singular) or the parts within the unit
  (plural).
• Im looking forward to physics next year.
  Its fun!
• The committee discussed their schedules.
  (committee here is a plural collective noun).

18
Due Tuesday

• Chapter 5, ex. 12, 13 Rev. E, F, H, I, J