CHAPTER 1: THE MACRO SKILLS These Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing are called the macro-skills

or the four language skills. This is in contrast to the micros-skills, which are things
like grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling.
Introduction
The four language skills are related to each other in two ways:
1. The direction of communication (in or out). Input is sometimes called
In this chapter, we will discuss the four macro
reception and output is sometimes called production.
skills and the dimensions of grammar.
2. The method of communication (spoken or written). Spoken is also known as
oral.

Listening
Listening comprehension is the receptive skill in the oral mode. When we
Expected Outcomes: speak of listening what we really mean is listening and understanding what we hear.

1. Determine the relationship of the four macro skills There are two kinds of listening situations in which we find ourselves:
interactive and non-interactive.
2. Discuss the dimensions of grammar. Interactive listening situations include face-to-face conversations and telephone
calls, in which we are alternatively listening and speaking, and in which we have
chance to ask for clarification, repetition, or slower speech from our conversation
Why are Macro Skills Important? partner.
Some non-interactive listening situations are listening to the radio, TV, films
“These skills are essential for
lectures, or sermons. In such situations we usually don’t have the opportunity to ask
communicating. It is tough to study a balance of the
for clarification, slower speech or repletion.
four macro skills which are writing, reading, writing,
and listening. Learning and consistently seeking to
Speaking
improve these macro skills are important for effective
communication and to be successful in many different Speaking the productive skill in the oral mode. Speaking is the direct and
perspectives.” useful form of communicating. It helps us communicate our thoughts, ideas,
suggestions, comments, etc. in the most natural and reliable way without much
When we learn our native language, we usually learn to listen first, then to distortion of information.
speak, then to read, and finally to write.
There are three kinds of speaking situations in which we find ourselves:
INPUT OUTPUT interactive, partially interactive and non-interactive.
---------
SPOKEN LISTENING SPEAKING Interactive speaking situations include face-to-face conversations and ---------
WRITTEN READING WRITING telephone calls, in w which we are alternatively listening and speaking, and in which
---------
we have chance to ask for clarification, repetition, or slower speech from our ---------
Oral Written
conversation partner. Some speaking situations are partially interactive, such as ---------
Receptive Listening Reading
when giving a speech to a live audience, where the conversation is that the ---------
Productive Speaking Writing
audience does not interrupt the speech. The speaker nevertheless can see the ---------
--------
CUT
audience and judge from the expression on their faces and body language whether REMEDIAL ENGLISH
or not he or she is being understood.
Some few speaking situations may be totally non-interactive, such as when
Activity 1
Name: _____________________________________________ Score: _______
recording a speech for a radio broadcast.
A. Direction: Draw a graphic organizer that shows the relationship of the
Reading four macro-skills.
Reading is the receptive skill in the written mode. It is the ability to
understand reading material in a form of a paragraph or a sentence. Reading can
help build vocabulary that helps listening comprehension at the later stages.

Writing
Writing is the productive skill in the written form. It is defined as the act or
the art of forming letters and characters on paper, wood, stone or to other material,
for the purpose of recording the ideas and information in which characters and
words express of communicating to others by visible signs. Writing is also anything
written or printed that expressed in characters and letters.
Writing is the last thing you could learn in the four-macro skill but it is the
most complex skill in communication. Some people are having a hard time and
striving in expressing their ideas and though in textual form it will need time to
practice and willingness to learn new things in other to master the skill.

Dimensions of Grammar
Morphology: Studies pattern of word formation within and across languages like
root words, affixes, part of speech, intonations/stress, or implied context. It also
attempts to formulate rules that model the knowledge of the speakers of those
languages. B. In a short essay, elaborate the three (3) dimensions of grammar.
Semantics: Studies meaning used for understanding human expression through
language, relation between signifiers, like words, phrases, signs, and symbols, and _____________________________________________________________________
what they stand for, their denotation. It denotes a range of ideas from the popular _____________________________________________________________________
to the highly technical. _____________________________________________________________________
Syntax: Studies the information of phrases, clauses and sentences and the _____________________________________________________________________
relationship of their components parts. It refers directly to the rules and principles _____________________________________________________________________
that govern the sentence structure of any individual language. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________ c. Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things.
______________________________________________________ Ex: audience, family, government, team, jury
d. Mass nouns (uncountable nouns) do not typically refer to things that can be
CHAPTER 2: NOUNS counted and so they do not regularly have a plural form.
Ex: water, milk, hair, rice
Introduction e. Concrete nouns refers to people and to things that exist physically and can
be seen, touched, smelled, heard, or tasted.
In this chapter, we will discuss nouns, its kinds Ex: dog, building, coffee, tree, rain, beach, tune
and functions. f. Abstract nouns refers to ideas, qualities, and conditions - things that cannot
be seen or touched and things which have no physical reality.
Ex: truth, danger, happiness, time, friendship, humour

Expected Outcomes: Functions of Nouns

a. Subject of the Sentence: The one that is talked in the sentence.
1. Use nouns appropriately Ex: Maria is an intelligent student.
2. Identify the kinds and functions of nouns Toni feeds the chickens.
b. Vocative: Indicates that somebody is being directly addressed by the
speaker.
Ex: Where is my book, dad?
Why Noun is Important?
Come here, Browny!
“Nouns are basic to sentence structure c. Direct Object: The one that receives the action of the verb. Answers the
because they, along with pronouns, provide the question who or what after the verb.
subject of the sentence. In addition, a noun functions Ex: The gardener cuts the grass.
as a direct object of a verb, an indirect object of a John helped Peter wash the dishes.
verb, object of a preposition, or a complement.” d. Indirect object: Indicates for whom or to whom an action is perfomed.
Ex. Joseph gave the orphan a new home.
Noun Mom wrote Principal Spencer a letter of excuse for my absence.
Noun is a word used to name a person, place thing, state or quality. e. Subject Noun Predicate (Predicate nominative): A word/phrase that refers
back to the subject. Comes after a linking verb and define or explain the
Kinds of Nouns: subject.
Ex: Diana(S) is a teacher.
a. Proper nouns are specific. Their first letters are capitalized.
He(S) is an activist.
Ex: Anna, Cebu City, Sunday, Resorts World Center
f. Object Noun Predicate (Objective complement): Comes after a direct
b. Common nouns refers to people or things in general.
object. Refers back to the object and further adds meaning to it.
Ex: boy, country, bridge, city, birth, day
 Ex: President Aquino appointed Leila de Lima (DO) Justice Secretary. REMEDIAL ENGLISH
We named our daughter(DO) Alice.
g. Object of the Preposition: Comes after a preposition.
---------
---------
Activity 2
Name: _____________________________________________ Score: _______
Ex: I climbed the mountain with(prep.) Anna. ---------
The book is on(prep.) the table. A. Direction: Identify the underlined nouns if they are common noun or
---------
proper noun. Write the answer on the space provided.
h. Appositve: Is a noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. ---------
Ex: Max(Noun), a rescue dog, saved the stray cat. ---------
Paul (Noun)
, my brother, painted our house. --------- __________1. Masbate is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
i. Possessive Case: Shows ownership or posssesion, control or custody. ---CUT __________2. Agriculturists are concerned with plants and animals.
Denotes by an apostrophe or an apostrophe and an ‘s’. THIS
__________3. In the Philippines, typhoon usually starts in June.
Rules: LINE---
1. If a singular noun does not end in ‘s’, add apostrophe and s. (‘s)--------- __________4. Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the greatest poets.
Ex: company’s car ---------
__________5. I have the book on the complete works of Shakespeare.
---------
2. If a singular common noun ends in ‘s’, add (‘s) – unless the next
---------
word begins with ‘s’. If the next word begin with ‘s’ add B. Direction: Underline the appropriate kind of noun that refers to highlighted
---------
apostrophe only. word.
---------
Ex: actress’s dress / actress’ shoes ---------
3. If a singular proper noun end in s, add an apostrophe. --------- 1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. (count / abstract)
Ex: Markus’ bag ------- 2. Your hair is as black as the dark night. (mass / count)
4. If a noun is plural in form and ends in an s, add apostrophe only.
Ex: Mathematics’ problem 3. The available bags in the mall are fabulous. (collective / concrete)
5. If a plural noun doesn’t end in ‘s’ add (‘s). 4. Our volleyball team won the championship game. (count / collective)
Ex. Men’s cat / Women’s right 5. I like the white sand in Boracay. (collective / mass)

C. Direction: Identify what function of noun is being represented by the

underlined word.

__________1. Adelle, my cousin, is a famous singer.

__________2. Vince called the police.
__________3. Anna cooked dinner for Eddie.
__________4. Marcos gave Flora a letter.
__________5. Kindly open the door, Louie.
__________6. Mark is a painter.
 CHAPTER 3: PRONOUNS AND VERBS
__________7. I named my dog Max. Introduction
__________8. Jessie’s car broke down.
In this chapter, we will discuss pronouns and
__________9. She had been doing well in the class.
verbs and their kinds.
__________10. Albert, my student, is now a doctor.

D. Direction: Turn the words into the possessive case of noun.

Expected Outcomes:
Ex: Toni / bag = Toni’s bag
1. Use pronouns and verbs appropriately.
1. Lucas / paper 2. Identify the kinds of pronouns and verbs.
2. student / handbook
3. princess / diary
4. actress / slipper Why Pronoun is Important?
5. children / book
“Using pronouns creates safer and more
inclusive spaces for people to be themselves knowing
that other people are going to respect their identity. It
can take time to get someone's pronouns right. Try
your best.”

Pronoun
A pronoun is a word used to replace a noun. It designates a person, place
thing, quality or idea without naming it.

Cut this box Kinds of Pronouns

a. Personal pronouns
Refer to people or things which can be singular or plural. Refer to
the speaker, the person spoken to, and the person spoken about.
Case Function
 Subject/nominative Subject of the sentence 1. Verb – Pronoun
objective Object of a verb, compound verb, Ex: I asked(verb) Tom and him to cut the grass.
preposition, or infinitive phrase 2. Preposition – Pronoun
possessive Marker of possession; ownership of Ex: Jasper smiled at(prep) her.
particular object or person
Possessive Case
A. First Person – the person talking Ex: The smallest bag is mine.
I, Me, Us, We, My, Our, Mine, Ourselves
B. Second person – the person spoken to b. Indefinite pronouns
You, Your, Yours, Yourselves Refer to an identifiable but not specified person or thing,
C. Third Person – The person being talked about Singular- any, anybody, nobody, anyone, each, everyone, one, someone,
He, She, It, Its, They, Him, Her, Them, Their, His, Hers, Theirs, Himself, somebody, every, either, neither,
Herself, Itself, Themselves Plural- all, some, few, both, several, many.

Nominative Objective Possessive Ex: Each has(verb) the right to exercise freedom of speech. (uses singular verb)
Singular Both desire(verb) for freedom. (uses plural verb)
1st person I Me My, Mine
2nd person You You Your, Yours
c. Reflexive and Intensive Pronoun
3rd person He, she, it Him, Her, It His, Her, Hers
myself, yourself, herself, itself, himself
Plural
1st person We Us Our, Ours Reflexive Pronoun: Refer back to the subject in the sentence/gives
nd
2 person You You Your, Yours emphasis to the subject.
3rd person They Them Their , Theirs Ex: She blamed herself for the death of her child. Note: Try to delete the
PATTERN (Arrangement) Intensive Pronoun pronoun. If the sentence
Is used to emphasize the antecedent. makes sense that is
Nominative Case: Use nominative pronoun if the sentence pattern are of the ff. Ex: You yourself know that it is wrong to cheat. intensive. If not, that
pronoun is reflexive.
1. Pronoun – Verb
d. Demonstrative Pronoun Ex. I myself love you. √
Ex: He and I(PN) went(verb) to the market.
This (singular) (near) This is my bag. (intensive)
Why use ‘I’ instead of ‘me’? I is a nominative: me is objective.
These (plural) (near) These are my shoes.
2. Linking verb (be verb) – Pronoun
That (singular) (distant) That is my wallet.
Ex: The dancers are(LV) they.
Those (plural) (distant) Those are my books.
Why use ‘they’ and not ‘them’? They is nominative; them is objective.
3. Appositive – (Pronoun – Noun)
e. Relative pronouns: Used to link one phrase or clause to another phrase or
Ex: We, the students, are excited of the summer.
clause.
Do not use the objective ‘us’.
who, whose, whoever, whom, that, which, whichever
Ex: The candidate who has the worst campaign song usually wins.
f. Interrogative Pronoun: Asking questions
Objective Case: Use objective pronoun if the sentence pattern are of the ff.
who, which, what, whom, whose, whoever
 Ex: Who wrote the novel The Catcher in the Rye? Does – present tense, singular + the simple of the verb
Did – past tense, singular/plural + the simple of the verb
Verb
Verb is a word that tells what is happening. A content word that denotes an Ex. She does love Mark. The italicized words are the
action, occurrence, or state of existence. (action word) They did not dance in the party. base form of the verb.
Kinds of Verbs
a. Regular verbs: Form their past tense by adding “d” or “ed” to the base
Verbal
form. Words that look like verbs but function as nouns, pronouns, and modifiers.
Ex. move | moved | moved
walk | walked | walked a. Infinitives
b. Irregular verbs: Form their past tense and past participle in several Infinitives function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in sentences.
ways. (to + base form of the verb; to + have + past participle)
Ex: draw | drew | drawn Ex. I love to eat cake.
catch | caught | caught The students tried to finish their project on time.
We hope to have finished the building works by the end of March.
c. Linking verbs: Used to link or join the subject with a word in the
predicate which relates to the subject. The “be” form of the verb (am, b. Gerunds
is, are, was, were) is the common used linking verb. Gerunds look like a continuous aspect of tense (-ing) but function as nouns.
Other Forms: become, seem, look, smell, appear, feel, taste, sound, Ex: Reading is my hobby.
remain Mike was awarded for writing a nationalistic poem.
Ex. Mary is the muse.
I am happy to see you. c. Participle
Participle may look like past tense, past participle, or continuous tense, but
d. Auxiliary Verb – (or helping) verbs are used together with a main verb. they function as modifiers.
The most common Auxiliary verbs is have. Ex: I need to buy reading materials for my students.
The shaking dog was rescued.
Has – is used in singular, present tense of the verb.
Have – (base form) is used in plural, past tense of the verb
Had – is used in singular/ plural, past tense of the verb

Auxiliary Verbs must be followed by a past participle form of the verbs.

Ex: John has seen the movie.
I have forgiven you.

e. The Emphatic Verbs: The emphatic verbs must be followed by a simple

form of the verb.
Do – present tense, plural + the simple of the verb
 REMEDIAL ENGLISH CHAPTER 4: ADJECTIVE, ADVERB,
Activity 3
Name: _____________________________________________ Score: _______ PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION, AND
A. Direction: Identify what kind of pronoun is the underlined word in the
INTERJECTION
sentence.
B. Introduction
_____________1. What program are you taking up?
_____________2. My family loves hiking. In this chapter, we will discuss adjective, adverb,
_____________3. The flower that Jasmine planted grew beautifully. preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
_____________4. Someone has stolen her wallet.
_____________5. That is my food.
_____________6. I love myself.
_____________7. She herself made that decision.
_____________8. They watched the film multiple times. Expected Outcomes:
_____________9. Blame nobody for your failures.
_____________10. Whose project is done? 1. Use adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction,
and interjection appropriately.
A. Direction: Identify what kind of verb is the underlined word in the sentence.

_____________1. I did not write a letter of excuse.

_____________2. Maria slept in the sofa.
Adjective
_____________3. Anna had sworn to clean the room.
_____________4. The food tastes bad. An adjective is a part of speech used to modify nouns or pronouns.
_____________5. She called her mother to pick her up. Cut this box
Kinds of Adjectives
a. Descriptive Adjectives (quality/subjective) - Gives color and vividness to the
B. Direction: Create at least five (5) sentences using verbal (infinitive, gerund,
person(s), place(s), or thing(s) we talk or write about. It tells what kind,
and participle).
what color, what size, what shape, etc.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________ b. Limiting Adjective (quantity) - Indicates the number or quantity. It tells how
_______________________________________________________________ many, how much, which one, whose, etc.
_______________________________________________________________ Descriptive (subjective) Limiting (restricting)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________ high grades two lives
_______________________________________________________________ new job one love
_______________________________________________________________ c. Demonstrative Adjective - A demonstrative adjective (this, that, those,
_______________________________________________________________ these) shows the noun that it modifies is singular or plural and whether the
 position of the noun is near or far from the person who is speaking or I went straight to where we first met. (Adverb – straight modifies the word went)
writing.
 This dress is expensive while those on display are on sale.
a. Adverb of time – An adverb of time tells us when something is done or
 That cat is mine.
happens. We use it at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. We use it
 These flowers are fresh.
as a form of emphasis when we place it at the beginning.
Other Descriptive Adjectives  Adverbs of time include afterwards, already, always, immediately, last
month, now, soon, then, and yesterday.
a. Proper Adjective is an adjective derived from proper nouns. Ex. He immediately approved the proposal.
Ex. Philippine flag Korean food I always admire you.
French bread Spanish sardines
b. Predicate Adjective (located in the predicate) completes the meaning of the b. Adverb of place – An adverb of place tells us where something is done or
verb, and modifies the subject. It follows the linking verb, and usually happens. We use it after the verb, object or at the end of a sentence.
describes the subject noun, or pronoun.  Adverbs of place include words such as above, below, here, outside,
Ex. The design is intricate. over there, there, under, upstairs.
Life is beautiful in Davao City. Ex. Maria’s room is upstairs.
Do not find love elsewhere; it is here.
c. Possessive Adjectives are nouns used as adjectives. (shows ownership)
Ex. Anna’s phone is very expensive. c. Adverb of manner – An adverb of manner tells us how something is done or
He borrowed Tony’s camera. happens.
 Most adverbs of manner end –ly such as badly, happily, sadly, slowly,
Order if Adjectives in an Adjectives Phrase quickly, and others that include well, hard, fast, etc.
Determiners – a, an, the, my, you etc. Color – red, blue, green, etc. Ex. She walks slowly.
Observations – lovely, boring, nice, Origin – British American, Mexican, He spoke on politics well.
etc. etc.
d. Adverb of Degree – An adverb of degree tells us the level or extent that
Size – tiny, small, huge, etc. Material – gold, copper, silk etc.
something is done or happens.
Shape – round, square, rectangular, Qualifier – limiters for compound
 Words of adverb of degree are almost, much, nearly, quite, really, so,
etc. nouns.
too, very…
Age – old, new, ancient, etc.
Ex. I almost quit my job.
It was quite impressive.
e. Adverb of Frequency – An adverb of frequency tells us how often something
Adverb
is done or happens.
An adverb is a part of speech which modifies a verb, an adjective, an adverb,  Words used as adverbs of frequency include again, almost, always, ever,
or another adverb. It is generally placed immediately before or after the word it frequently, generally, hardly ever, nearly always, never, occasionally,
modifies. often, rarely, seldom, sometimes, twice, usually, and weekly.
Ex. They frequently post an update.
He drove the vehicle fast. (Adverb – fast modifies the word drove) Politicians always appear diplomatic.
Modern man leads a fast life (Adjective – fast modifies the word life) She never visits far-flung areas.
I gave him a straight response. (Adjective – straight modifies the word response)
Preposition Conjunction
A preposition is a word expressing the relationship between a noun, pronoun, A conjunction is a word used to connect sentences, clauses, phrases or words.
and other elements of a sentence.
Kinds of Conjunction
Prepositions denote various relationships: a. Coordinating Conjunction - join equals to one another i.e. words, phrases,
1. Place or position - at, over, up, in, to, under, down, on, from, beneath, clauses
across, above, by, on top of, around, below Ex. For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS)
2. Time – at (specific), in, during, at the beginning of, after, by, on, since, at He wanted to study but his family doesn’t have money.
the end, before, for, until, in the middle of Success requires hard work and perseverance.
3. Agent or instrument - by, with Note: Coordinating conjunctions go in between items joined, not at the start or end
4. Accompaniment - with
Punctuation rules of coordinating conjunction
5. Purpose - for
 When a coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or
6. Association -of
subordinate clauses, no comma should be place before the conjunction.
Preposition of Time: At, On, and In Cookies and milk at the beach or by the lakeside
a. We use at to designate specific times.  A coordinating conjunction joining three or more words, phrase, or
The wedding will start at 3:00 PM. subordinate clauses creates a series and requires commas between the
b. We use on to designate days and dates. elements.
Results will be out on Monday. Peanuts, cookies, and milk
Her 22nd birthday will be on June 25th.  A coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses creates a
c. We use in for non-specific times during a day, month, a season, or year. compound sentence and requires a comma before the coordinating
Her wedding will be in December. conjunction.
I was born in 1997. He wanted to leave, but his heart spoke otherwise.

Prepositions of Place: At, On, and In b. Subordinating Conjunction – a conjunction that introduces a subordinate
a. We use at for specific addresses. clause.
Martin lives at Purok Maya Street, Mabini Extension, Digos City. Examples of Subordination:
b. We use on to designate names of streets, avenues, etc. after in order (that) unless even if
The traffic on Quezon Street is always heavy. although insofar as until even thought
a. We use in for the names of land-areas (towns, countries, states, countries, as in that when how
and continents). as far as lest whenever if
She wants to live in Japan. as soon as no matter how where inasmuch as
as if now that wherever in case (that)
Prepositions of Time: for and since
as thought once whether so that
a. We use for when we measure time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, months,
because provided (that) while than
years) – duration of time
before since why though
b. We use since with a specific date or time – beginning span
Ex. Because I made this decision, I am ready to face the consequences.
 I attended his wedding even though I’m dying inside. REMEDIAL ENGLISH
Punctuation rules of subordinating conjunction ---------
---------
Activity 4
 When the dependent clause is placed first in a sentence, use a comma Name: _____________________________________________ Score: _______
between the two clauses. When the independent clause is placed first and ---------
the dependent clause second, do not separate the two clauses with ---------
a A. Direction: Identify if the underlined word is a/an adjective, adverb,
comma. --------- preposition, conjunction, and interjection. Write the answer on
--------- the space provided.
c. Correlative Conjunction - A correlative conjunction is a paired conjunction
---------
(with partner) that links balance words, phrases, and clauses.
_________1. Although she was exhausted, she continued to study.
Ex. either… or , neither… nor , not only… but also
These pairs of conjunctions require equal (parallel) structures after each one _________2. Ouch! That hurts!
Incorrect: Lovely not only wants affection but also appreciation.
Correct: Lovely wants not only affection, but also appreciation. _________3. She is pretty.
_________4. The lady immediately went home after the party.
Interjection
_________5. She went home with her colleagues.
An interjection is a word that expresses the feeling or emotion and
functions independently in a sentence. _________6. Maria is a brilliant child.
_________7. The speaker arrived in the middle of the program.
Examples: Ah! Oh! Uh! Alas! Hey! Ouch! Well! Wow! _________8. The man happily received the subsidy from the government.
_________9. Oh! That was fun!
_________10. She wanted to speak yet she remained quiet.
_________11. Hank waved enthusiastically at Steve.
_________12. Wow! What a wonderful performance!
_________13. This restaurant is famous for its Chinese cuisine.
_________14. He either washes the clothes himself or asks her to wash them.
_________15. Michael lives in Hawaii.
 CHAPTER 5: SUBJECT AND VERB Ex. I am happy to be here.
She is proud of her son.
AGREEMENT Kathy’s dream was to graduate with honors.
3. Non-count (mass) nouns subjects take a singular verb.
Introduction Ex. Sugar is sweet.
4. In most cases, collective nouns subject take singular verbs, but if the group
In this chapter, we will discuss the basic rules of is viewed as individual members, use a plural verb.
subject and verb agreement. Examples:
The orchestra is playing a hit song.
The orchestra were asked to share their musical backgrounds.
a. Collective nouns take singular verbs if all members act as a single body
noun such as audience, class, team, band, committee, jury, heard, crowd,
Expected Outcomes:
flock.
1. Create correct sentences using the rules in subject Examples: The population is still growing.
and verb agreement. The team intends nothing but victory.
b. Collective nouns take plural verbs if the members act as individuals.
2. Identify the verb that agrees with the subject. Examples: The committee are the discussing the matter.
The family are debating on the issue.
5. Mass nouns can only be pluralize by quantifiers. Nouns such as sugar, rice,
Importance of Subject and Verb Agreement and, hair, information, and evidence.
Examples: Bits of information Three sacks of salt
6. Mass nouns (non-countable) are always singular.
Examples: Black ink is needed for this kind of paper.
“Subject-verb agreement is very important
because without it, the reader can be confused.” 7. Subject nouns that are derived from adjectives and describe people take
plural verbs.
Examples:
The unemployed demand for more sustainable job opportunities.
The poor helplessly seek food and shelter.
Subject and Verb Agreement 8. Some proper noun subjects the end in -s such as names of courses, disease,
places, as well as book and film titles and the word news, take singular verbs
Subject Verb Agreement (news, politics, physics, mathematics, mumps, and measles).
Examples:
1. Verb with –s singular. Verb without –s is plural. Digos is in Davao Del Sur.
Ex. She dances to the beat. They dance to the beat. Mathematics requires prayer and perseverance.
2. Make the linking verb agree with a real subject. The news was not fake
Linking verb such as: am singular, present tense Politics connotes controversies
is singular, present tense
was singular, past tense
9. There are some nouns that have the same singular and plural form in this
case the subject may take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the
intention or the meaning that you wish to express.
16. The definite pronoun in table below are always singular:
Nouns that are always plural in form should take a plural verb.
Indefinite Pronouns
Nouns such as: (objects in pair = plural) -one words -body words -thing words other
Anyone Anybody Anything Each
Slippers Eyeglasses Trousers Earrings
Everyone Everybody Everything Every
Scissors Sunglasses Pliers Pants Someone Somebody Something
No one Nobody Nothing
Ex. Her earrings are dazzling. One
10. For items that have two parts when you use the word “pair” the verb is Examples: Every student has a responsibility to do well in their studies.
singular, but without the word “pair” the verb is plural. Nothing satisfies her.
Examples: This pair of scissors is affordable. Note:
My scissors are lost. Indefinite pronouns such as: all, any, a lot of, none, most, and some can be singular
11. Plural subject noun such as a unit of measurement (distance, weight, time or plural. They are singular when they refer to a singular or non-count noun or
or amount of money) the signal one unit should take a singular verb. pronoun. They are plural when they refer to a plural noun or pronoun.
Example: Four kilometers costs P200 for a taxi ride. Examples: Some of the boys are my friends.
Five years was not an issue when I waited for him. Some of the food tastes strange.
Fifty thousand pesos has less value now.
12. Basic arithmetic operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) take singular 17. The expression “the number” used as a subject takes a singular verb. The
verbs. expression “a number” use a subject takes a plural verb.
Example: Four times five equals twenty. Examples: The number of students coming is decreasing.
13. Clausal subjects are singular, even if the nouns referred to are plural A number of players practicing are increasing.
Example: What we need is genuine acceptance. A number of students are taking the test.
The number of students taking the test is 100.
14. Gerunds and infinitives subjects take a singular verb.
Example: Watching films is hobby. 18. With none as subject, is a singular verb.
15. With fractions, percentage, and the quantifiers (all of, a lot of) verb Ex. None is happy about the results.
agreement depends on the noun coming after these phrases. 19. With either or neither as a subject, use a singular verb
 A singular noun, noun clause, or non-count noun takes a singular verb. Ex. (Either/Neither) was acceptable to me.
Ex. A lot of the information is about maritime disasters and
safety procedures. 20. With correlative subjects either… or or neither…nor the verb agrees with the
 A plural noun takes a plural verb. closest subject.
Ex. A lot of seafarers need to have a retraining of SOLAS. Ex. Either Anna or my friends are eating in the restaurant.
 A collective noun can take either a singular or plural verb, depending Neither my friends nor Anna is eating in the restaurant.
on meaning. 21. With there subjects, the verb is singular or plural depending on whether
Ex. All my batch mates (stay/stays) at the dorm. noun phrase following the verb is singular or plural. There and here are
 never used as subjects. When a sentence begins with there and here, you 29. Words such as “many” and “few” (plural/ countable) are used only with
must look thoroughly to find the real subject. plural nouns. Words such as “much” and “little” (singular/noun-count) are
Ex. There are many ways to a woman’s heart. used only with singular nouns.
Here are the things you need for the project. Ex. Many students were accepted.
Much money is needed for my new house.
When the sentence begins with here and there, the verb agrees with the
subject that comes after the verb (for inverted order). 30. “Each other” is used when we refer to persons or things. “One another” is
Ex. Here come my friends. used when we refer to more than two.
There is one person in my heart. Ex. Maria and Andrew love each other.
They help one another to finish their project.
22. When the subjects joined by and refer to a single unit or is considered as
one, it takes a singular verb. 31. The word “some” may modify a singular or plural noun.
Ex. Bread and butter is a common breakfast for Americans. Ex. Some food looks delicious.
The secretary and treasurer is here. Some items were not sold.
23. Compound subjects joined by and referring to a separate entities, should 32. The phrase such as “is one of the” and “among the” must be followed by a
take a plural verb. plural noun.
Ex. Minda and Linda are my best friends. Ex. Dr. Strange is one of the avengers.
The secretary and the treasurer are here. Among the contestants, Shane is the smartest.
24. Follow the general rule in pairing subject and verb regardless of 33. Emphatic verbs must be followed by a simple form of a verb.
prepositional phrases or clauses that are sometimes placed in between the Do present tense, plural + the simple form of the
subject and verb. verb.
Ex. The color of his eyes is blue. (The subject is color and not eyes.) Does present tense, singular + the simple form of the verb
25. The verb after the relative pronouns who, which, and that agrees with its Did past tense, singular/plural + the simple form of the verb
antecedent. Examples:
Ex. Children should not see a film that has an X-rating. They do love playing ball games. She does have a valid feedback.
Children should not see films that have an X-rating. 34. Do not allow the number of the verbs to be affected by (intervening
26. Subjects followed by intervening expressions such as: in addition to, in expressions) standing between the verb and its subject. Determine the real
company with, together with, as well as, etc. should take the verbs that subject of the verb.
agree with a real subjects. Ex. Jason as well as Anthony loves to play chess.
Ex. The student, together with her classmates, studies the lesson well. 35. In the present tense a singular subject followed by prepositional phrase
remains singular.
27. Titles of literary/artistic works and names of firms, companies, stores etc.
Ex. A piece of paper was thrown on the floor.
should take singular verbs.
Ex. Green Coconuts is Manansala’s greatest painting. 36. The verb concords with the subject not with a predicate.
Ex. My favorite gift is chocolates.
28. The indefinite words “each, every, everyone, somebody, no one, either and
neither take singular verbs. 37. Adjectives used as a nouns are considered plural.
Ex. Every person has the right to remain silent. Ex. The rich are popular.
The needy are to be given shelter.
 38. When a sentence begins with a phrase, the verb agrees with one subject
that comes after the verb.
Ex. Hanging on a tree was a kite.
Seated among the students is the president of the school.

Activity 5 REMEDIAL ENGLISH

Name: _____________________________________________ Score: _______

A. Direction: Read the following sentences then under the verb that agrees
with the subject.
1. Physics (is/are) his favorite subject.
2. The number of narrative writers (is/are) increasing.
3. Ten peso (was/were) the price of that paper bag.
4. My teacher and adviser, Miss Che, (speak/speaks) fluently.
5. Each of his classmates (bring/brings) a pack lunch.
6. Neither Jake nor his classmates (is/are) present.
7. Nobody (is/are) perfect.
8. Everybody (is/are) entitled to his idea.
9. Four years (is/are) a long vacation to spend.
10. The compassionate river god (give/gives) instruction.
11. Only three-fourths of the students (was/were) active.
12. The teacher (doesn’t/don’t) accept handwritten analysis.
13. Psyche (give/gives) ear to the admonitions of her vocal attendants.
14. Each of the gifts (was/were) properly boxed.
15. Two Jansport bags (cost/costs) only 600.00 pesos.

B. Direction: Create sample sentences using the 38 rules we have discussed in

this module (one each rule).
References:

Bargo, Darwin. 2016. English Plus. An Intensive Grammar Review.

Faculan Review Center. 2018. General English Reviewer