Subject-Verb Agreement and Pronouns

Subject-Verb Agreement

As you edit sentences for subject-verb agreement, use this five-step process. Step 1. Read the sentence and find the subject. Remember that the subject is who or what the sentence is about. Step 2. Decide whether the subject is singular or plural. Step 3. Locate the verb. Remember the verb tells something about the subject. Step 4. Decide whether the verb is singular or plural. A verb is singular if you would use it with “he”; it’s plural if you would use it with “they” Step 5. If the subject and the verb are both singular or both plural, they agree. If they do not agree, change the verb so that it agrees with the subject.

*Tip – Some subjects are confusing. The following subjects are always treated as singular: "-body," "-one," and "-thing" words: EverybodySomebodyNobodyAnybody EveryoneSomeoneNo oneAnyone EverythingSomethingNothingAnything each, a person, either, and neither are also in this group. Look at the following: 1. Everyone is going on a picnic. 2. Each of the boys is taking his own lunch. 3. Everyone who takes little kids to the movies should keep them from throwing popcorn.

Correct or not? 1.Women has many different jobs today. 2.Money problems, in addition to job stress, worries many women. 3.Across the country is many types of jobs. 4.There is many reasons for women to work. 5.Child care and flexible hours are important concerns for working women. 6. Nobody believe it will rain. 7. The package of cookies were bright green. 8. Was the answers to the questions clearly heard? 9. There are many banks in that city. 10. Neither Gordon nor Vance have any canned goods to donate.

Correct or not? 1.Women have many different jobs today. 2.Money problems, in addition to job stress, worry many women. 3.Across the country are many types of jobs. 4.There are many reasons for women to work. 5.Child care and flexible hours are important concerns for working women. 6. Nobody believes it will rain. 7. The package of cookies was bright green. 8. Were the answers to the questions clearly heard? 9. There are many banks in that city. 10. Neither Gordon nor Vance has any canned goods to donate.

Pronouns Because a pronoun REFERS BACK to a noun or TAKES THE PLACE OF that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands which noun your pronoun is referring to.

1. AGREE in NUMBER If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun, you have to use a singular pronoun. If a student parks a car on campus, he or she has to buy a parking sticker. (NOT: If a student parks a car on campus, they have to buy a parking sticker.) ***REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY, ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, A PERSON, etc. are singular and take singular pronouns. Everybody ought to do his or her best. NOT: Everybody ought to do their best. The correct way *is* awkward sometimes, but it’s better than the old way, which was just to use the masculine pronoun! If you don’t want to use “his or her,” try changing your noun to the plural form. All students ought to do their best. Neither of the girls brought her umbrella. NOT: Neither of the girls brought their umbrellas

2. AGREE in PERSON If you are writing in the "first person" (I), don't confuse your reader by switching to the "second person" (you) or "third person" (he, she, they, it, etc.). Similarly, if you are using the "second person," don't switch to "first" or "third." When a person comes to class, he or she should have his or her homework ready. NOT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready. *Tip: Don’t refer to yourself as you. NOT: I like it when my kittens purr. You just want to pick them up and snuggle them.

3. REFER CLEARLY to a specific noun. NOT: Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged. (Is "it" the motorcycle or the tree?) NOT: I don't think they should show violence on TV. (Who are "they"?) NOT: If you put this sheet in your notebook, you can refer to it. (What does "it" refer to, the sheet or your notebook?)

What’s the problem?: Little Frank lay down beside his brother and sucked his thumb. When the truck hit the bicycle, it was destroyed. Thelma told Louise that she was going to drive.

Are these wrong?: Everyone must try to find their own way. A person must take care of their health. We must all find our own way. A reader must read carefully if he or she wants to understand. I like skiing because it gets you out in the winter. People must wear seatbelts if you want to survive a car crash. All of us must attend the meeting so that we can stay informed. Each student needs to study if they are going to do well. The boss often yells at me. When he does that, you want to rip his lungs out.

Are these wrong?: Everyone must try to find their his or her own way. A person must take care of their his or her health. We must all find our own way. A reader must read carefully if he or she wants to understand. I like skiing because it gets you me out in the winter. People must wear seatbelts if you they want to survive a car crash. All of us must attend the meeting so that we can stay informed. Each student needs to study if they he or she is going to do well. The boss often yells at me. When he does that, you I want to rip his lungs out.

Try the usage practice questions on pages and then check your answers Go on to the writing practice questions on pages This wraps up our study for the GED Writing Test Part 1. If you feel like you need more study material, try the external links provided under the heading “Additional Grammar Practice”. The next lecture will introduce the second part of the GED Writing Test – the GED essay.