Subject/Verb Agreement Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronoun Subjects When used as subjects, some indefinite pronouns are ALWAYS SINGULAR, some are ALWAYS PLURAL, and some can be EITHER singular or plural, depending on how they’re used. (gee…that sounds clear…NOT!)

Singular pronouns that take singular verbs: another anybody anyone anything each either everybody everyone everything much neither nobody no one nothing one somebody someone something

Examples of singular pronuns, singular verbs Everybody has a good idea on how to solve the problem. No one knows why Aaron Rodgers threw an interception.

Plural pronouns that always take a plural verb Both Few Many Several Ex: Both of my friends are nice. Several are going out to the concert.

Pronouns that are either singular or plural all any more most none some Examples: All of the students are late. All of this pasta is burned. Most of the players are good. Most of my essay is finished.

Plural vs. Singular in sticky situations… COLLECTIVE NOUNS: sometimes they can be considered singular, other times plural. Rule: If the collective noun (team, group, audience, etc.) acts together, the verb is singular. If the collective noun acts separately as individuals, then the verb is plural.

For example… The class (as one unit) agrees that we should not have homework over the weekend. The class (as individuals) have different opinions on how to finish the work. (I know it sounds goofy, but it’s correct…)

Plural vs. Singular in sticky situations…cont’d NOUNS that are PLURAL IN FORM: Some nouns ending in –s or –ics APPEAR to be plural but are really SINGULAR (huh?!) Ex: mathematics, politics, civics, news, mumps, physics… BUT … Some words ending in –ics are sometimes plural (r u kidding me?!) Ex: Ethics does not play a role in the movie. The candidate’s ethics are questionable.

Plural vs. Singular in sticky situations…cont’d TITLES and NUMERICAL AMOUNTS: Titles of works of art, literature, film, or music are singular. Star Wars is my favorite movie. Words and phrases that refer to weights, measures, numbers, and lengths of time are usually (another exception situation?!) treated as singular. Ten thousand dollars is too much for that car. Fifty pounds seems too heavy to carry.

Special Sentence Problems HINT: To check agreement in special sentences, rewrite them to put the subject and verb in the correct order. Questions (verb will be split or come after subject) Do you miss sentences about Pooh Bear? You do miss sentences (about Pooh Bear). Here or There Sentences Ex. There are many boring sentences in the grammar book. Many boring sentences are there (in the grammar book).

Special Sentence Problems HINT: To check agreement in special sentences, rewrite them to put the subject and verb in the correct order. Inverted Sentences in an inverted sentence, the subject follows the verb Ex. To get out of the sordid life on the streets struggled Pooh Bear. The homeless man struggled to get (out of the sordid life) (on the streets).

Special Sentence Problems Predicate Nominative: in sentences with a predicate nominative, the verb must agree with the subject, not the P.N. (what’s a predicate nominative?) Ex. The man’s most exciting experience at work is the paydays. - Ex. The paydays are the man’s most exciting experience at work.

Special Sentence Problems Adjective Clauses: the verb in an adjective clause must agree with the word that the relative pronoun of the clause refers to Ex. Mr. Smith[ who works for the telemarketing company] is our friend. Ex. People [ who live on the streets] need help to find a job.

Try & Check Pg. 118 Part B Pg. 122 Part A #1-5 Pg. 125 Part A #1-5

Pg. 118 Part B few are All is any recognize everyone has some is nobody reports

Pg. 122 Part A #1-5 flock is The Ad. of S. Holmes holds ethics are crew takes hours is

Pg. 125 Part A #1-5 time comes monument is price is trees grow celebrations are