Writing Lesson 2 Scribd Ru

Sat with Piriyev
Instructor : KAMRAN PIRIYEV

Designed by KAMRAN PIRIYEV [email protected]
READIN
G
VERBA
L
WRITING
EXPRESSION OF IDEAS
SUBJECT – VERB
AGREEMENT
Subject - Verb Agreement
NOTE!
We will use the standard of underlining subjects once and verbs twice.
The subject is a noun (person, place, or thing) that is the "doer" or "main feature" in the
sentence. A verb is an action word. Basic Rule: A singular subject (she, Baku, car) takes a
singular verb (is, changes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.

01 02 03
A subject will come before a These words are always singular: The verb in an or,
phrase beginning with of. This is each, anyone, anybody, either/or, or neither/nor
a key rule for understanding anything, neither, either, sentence agrees with the noun
subjects. The word of is the someone, no one, everything, or pronoun closest to it.
culprit in many, perhaps most, little and much
subject-verb mistakes.
Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow Examples: Neither of my students Examples:

roses lend color and fragrance is allergic to the SAT . Neither the plates nor the
to the room. serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Correct: A bouquet of yellow Neither the serving bowl nor
roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, the plates go on that shelf.
not roses lend)
10
SINGULAR PLURAL
Phenomenon Phenomena
Datum Data
Millennium Millennia
Bacterium Bacteria
Symposium Symposia
Antenna Antennae
Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz
Choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.
1. A. Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

B. Every one of the shirts have a green collar.
2. A. This singer, along with a few others, play the harmonica on stage.
B. This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.
3. A. Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach
B. Sandals and towels is essential gear for a trip to the beach.
4. A. The president or the vice president are speaking today.

B. The president or the vice president is speaking today.
5. A. Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.

B. Either Cassie or Marie pay the employees this afternoon.
6. Farhat is the only one of those students who __________ lived up to the potential
described in the yearbook.
A. has B. have
7. Rice and beans, my favorite dish, __________ me of my native Puerto Rico.

A. remind B. reminds
8. A large number of voters still ___________ along straight-party lines.

A. votes B. vote
9. Four years _______ a long time to spend away from your friends and family.
A. are B. is
10. Politics __________ sometimes a dirty business.

A. are B.is
Answers & Explanation
1. Correct Answer: A Every one of the shirts has a green collar.
Explanation: The pronoun one is singular and requires singular verbs. Do not be misled by the
object of the preposition.
2. Correct Answer: B This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.
Explanation: Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well
as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural
verb.
3. Correct Answer: A Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach.
Explanation: Two subjects connected by and require a plural verb.
4. Correct Answer: B The president or the vice president is speaking today.

Explanation: Two singular subjects connected by or require a singular verb.
5. Correct Answer: A Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.
Explanation: Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.
Let’s practice!
Ex. This dedication to the craft and attention to detail that (rivals/rival) that of a surgeon
(requires/require) discipline and work ethic.
First, let’s cross out the non-essential parts to find our subject and verb.
This dedication to the craft and attention (to detail that (rivals/rival) that of a surgeon
Now, let’s deal with the modifying clause itself.
This dedication to the craft and attention to detail that (rivals/rival) that of a surgeon
References:
1. https://www.collegeboard.org/
2. The New Sat 1500+ Practice Questions
3. https://www.grammarbook.com/
4. McGraw-Hill Education
Music by Benjamin Tissot

Instructor : KAMRAN PIRIYEV
Designed by KAMRAN PIRIYEV
Sat with Piriyev
[email protected]

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Sat with Piriyev

Instructor : KAMRAN PIRIYEV

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.

Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow Examples: Neither of my students Examples:

1. A. Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

4. A. The president or the vice president are speaking today.

5. A. Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.

7. Rice and beans, my favorite dish, __________ me of my native Puerto Rico.

8. A large number of voters still ___________ along straight-party lines.

10. Politics __________ sometimes a dirty business.

4. Correct Answer: B The president or the vice president is speaking today.

Now, let’s deal with the modifying clause itself.

Music by Benjamin Tissot

Sat with Piriyev

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