1. ACADEMIC WRITING I April 26 th 2012

2. Today Subject-verb agreement. Practice essay.

3. Review class Monday (April 30 th ). Time: 4:30 – 5:30 Place: Rm. 508. Please come with any questions you have about the exam (except, “What are the answers?”).

4. Subject-verb agreement “Do I need an –s at the end of the verb or not?”

5. Subject-verb agreement There is too many pictures on the wall. Everybody but Andrew want to go home. The monkey like to eat bananas. The subjects and verbs don’t agree

6. Subject-verb agreement Basic things to remember: A plural subject goes with a plural verb. - There are too many pictures on the wall. A singular subject goes with a singular verb. - Everybody but Andrew wants to go home. - The monkey likes to eat bananas.

7. Subject-verb agreement All dogs run to their food bowls at dinner time. dogs = plural subject run = plural verb The dog runs toward his food bowl at dinner time. dog = singular subject runs = singular verb

8. Subject-verb agreement In the present tense: singular verbs add an –s suffix to the end of verbs; plural verbs do not.

9. Subject-verb agreement So far, very easy, right?!

10. Subject-verb agreement Two (or more) singular nouns joined by and make a plural subject. The dog and the cat look out the window.

11. Subject-verb agreement When each or every precedes two (or more) singular nouns joined by and, it is a singular subject. Every dog and cat looks out the window. It does not matter how many singular nouns are joined with and, the subject is STILL singular: Every dog, cat, gorilla, tiger, bear, turtle, and bird looks out the window.

12. Subject-verb agreement Pronouns like everyone and everybody seem plural, BUT they are always singular (and need a singular verb). Everyone needs a hug sometimes. Everybody who bought a car is happy today.

13. Subject-verb agreement Phrases that come between a subject pronoun and its verb may contain plural words…this is confusing. Each of the basketball players is excited about tonight’s game.

14. Subject-verb agreement Other interrupting phrases: As well asincluding Along within addition to Together withespecially The mouse, as well as the birds, watch Tony, the scary tiger. = The mouse, as well as the birds, watches Tony, the scary tiger. wrong (even if it looks right)

15. Subject-verb agreement Hint: When checking for agreement, leave out parts you don’t need (interrupting phrases). Everyone in the contest want to win. - Everyone want to win. ?? (should be wants) The tigers, especially Tony, wants to eat the deer. - The tigers wants to eat. ?? (should be want)

16. Subject-verb agreement either…or, … neither…. nor, …. not only…but also… These phrases will have two subjects, and can be confusing if one is plural and one is singular.

17. Subject-verb agreement either…or, … neither…. nor, …. not only…but also… Example: Not only the professor but also the students wish the class would end. Not only the students, but also the professor wishes the class would end.

18. Subject-verb agreement either…or, … neither…. nor, …. not only…but also… Whichever subject is closest to the verb will decide the singular or plural form of the verb.

19. Subject-verb agreement Here and there. Here is the onions you need for the soup. In the fridge is the peppers you might want to add. Problem: Here and there are never the subject.

20. Subject-verb agreement Here and there. Here are the onions you need for the soup. In the fridge are the peppers you might want to add. Problem: Here and there are never the subject.