1. Subject/Verb Agreement Making subjects & verbs all singular or all plural to avoid the dreaded “E” on the FEE scoring rubric!

2. S/V Agreement Part 1 1) Everyone were preparing for the FEE. Everyone was preparing for the FEE. 2 ) Tim and Maria is taking the FEE today. Tim and Maria are taking the FEE today. 3) The park near those apartments have no tables. The park near those apartments has no tables.

3. The trees by the classrooms near the building where the FEE is given (is are) old. The trees by the classrooms near the building where the FEE is given are old. Maria, along with several friends, (was were) on Spring Break last week. Maria, along with several friends, was on Spring Break last week. See WF 26d p. 459 for eliminating prepositional phrases or extra words that appear between S/V.

4. Nobody from those classes (have has) expressed concerns about the FEE. Nobody from those classes has expressed concerns about the FEE. Neither of those FEE topics (interests interest) me today. Neither of those FEE topics interests me today. See Writing First 26f pp. 461-62 for indefinite pronouns like everyone, somebody, each, every, either & neither, which are considered singular.

5. Many of those songs (sound sounds) good on my iPod. Many of those songs sound good on my iPod. Some of her steak (look looks) too raw to eat. Some of her steak looks too raw to eat. See WF 26f p. 461 for indefinite pronouns that are plural, such as both, many, several, few, others. Also, words like some, any, all, none, most, ARE singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence, so prep phrases can’t be ignored.

6. Lisa and Frank (believes believe) taking the FEE will be exciting. Lisa and Frank believe taking the FEE will be exciting.

7. A rum and coke (tastes taste) good after the FEE. A rum and coke tastes good after the FEE.

8. Either Tim or Corky (has have) passed the Fee last year. Either Tim or Corky has passed the FEE last year. Neither the FEE nor the quizzes (was were) too difficult to pass in English 60. Neither the FEE nor the quizzes were too difficult to pass in English 60. See WF 26b (pp. 456-457) for compound subjects separated by AND, OR, NOR.

9. There (was were) many students in the class anxious to take the FEE. There were many students in the class anxious to take the FEE. See WF 26g pp 462-63 for situations when the subject comes after the verb when sentences start with there or here or questions begin with where, why, what.

10. The nightly news (shows show) many possible essay topics I might write on. The nightly news shows many possible essay topics I might write on.

11. Measles (is are) a disease that can be prevented. Measles is a disease that can be prevented.