Subject verb agreement
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- Special Problems in Agreement
- Collective Nouns
The following common words are plural: both, few, many, several.Examples: Few (of my neighbors) have parakeets. Many (of them) keep dogs as pets. Exercise 1: Follow the basic directions. Notice that both singular and plural pronouns are tested. Many of our group (has, have) had flu shots. Everyone in the surrounding towns (was, were) warned about the epidemic. Of the new cases, few (is, are) serious. Neither of those paths (leads, lead) home. Each of the stores (gives, give) gifts to our graduates. Several in the group (doubts, doubt) the existence of intelligent life on other planets. (Has, Have) either of you seen an ice hockey game? In the corner (stands, stand) one of the suspects. Many of the fans of football (think, thinks) about little else during the football season. Both of the coaches of the varsity team (works, work) with the students every afternoon. Exercise 2: Follow the basic directions. Notice that both singular and plural pronouns are tested. Either of the sopranos (sing, sings) the solo part in the operetta. Both girls (has, have) different assignments. Neither of the men (receive, receives) a high salary. Few of them (want, wants) more coffee. One of the pieces of jewelry (was, were) taken by the thieves. Several of the bushes in our yard (bloom, blooms) early. Someone with three dogs (walk, walks) by our house each day. Anyone leaving without permission (is, are) going to be in trouble. Many of the participants in the contest (receive, receives) a ribbon. Everybody (look, looks) ready for the party. Special Problems in AgreementThere are a few other constructions that may pose special problems in agreement of subject and verb. This section will cover some of these. Collective NounsSome nouns that are singular in form name a group of people or things: class, family, team, group, flock, for example. These nouns are called collective nouns. Examples: The jury was dismissed by the judge. The class has decided to have a science table in the room. The family is coming for dinner. Exercise 1: Follow the basic directions. The group (was, were) going on a trip. That flock of geese (make, makes) a beautiful pattern in the sky. The team (is, are) celebrating its victory. In July the committee (make, makes) a decision about the location of the August picnic. In the jungle, the herd often (stampede, stampedes). Next week the Smith family (leave, leaves) for vacation. Every summer the class (take, takes) many field trips. The panel (choose, chooses) the topics for television. (Is, Are) the group in charge of refreshments here yet? The company (vote, votes) for a new president next month. Directory: faculty faculty -> Dsci 3870: Management Science faculty -> Handling Indivisibilities faculty -> Course overview faculty -> Curriculum vitae wei chen professor faculty -> Digital image warping faculty -> Samples of Elements Exam Question III contains All Prior Exam Qs III except faculty -> 【Education&Working Experience】 faculty -> References Abe, M., A. Kitoh and T. Yasunari, 2003: An evolution of the Asian summer monsoon associated with mountain uplift —Simulation with the mri atmosphere-ocean coupled gcm. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 81 faculty -> Ralph R. Ferraro Chief, Satellite Climate Studies Branch, noaa/nesdis faculty -> Unit IV text: Types of Oil, Types of Prices Grammar: that/those of, with revision Download 417.69 Kb. Share with your friends:
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