grammar in context - agreement
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Every sentence is divided into two parts : the
SUBJECT and the PREDICATE
SUBJECT : person, place or thing about
which something is said.
PREDICATE : what is said about the subject,
always contains the principal verb.
Example: Koalas live in Australia
(S) (P)
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Complete subject To determine the complete subject, ask who or what
question. The answer will be the complete subject.
Example :
a) The man on the train reminded Penny of her father.
Who reminded Penny of her father? The man on the train.(complete subject)
b) The increasing extinction of plant and animal species is
alarming.What is alarming? The increasing extinction of plant andanimal species.(complete subject)
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Main(Simple) Subject Main subject : word in the complete subject that controls
the verb in the sentence.
The main subject is never located in a prepositionalphrase(a phrase beginning with a preposition and ending
with a noun or pronoun, for example, on the table) Example: main subject is circled, prepositional phrases are
underlined, arrow drawn between main subject and verb.
One of my friends has nine credit cards.
Either of the plans is worthwhile.
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There There is linked to a word later in the sentence that
controls the verb.
In the following sentences, an arrow connects theword there and the noun it is linked to.
Example :
There are numerous animals on the Endangered Species
List.
There is a large, fierce dog guarding the house.
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Compound Subjects Compound subjects : subject which is composed of more than
one item. The item is often connected by and.
Example :
Ron and Laurie are going to health club.
( Two subjects : Ron, Laurie)Sometimes word appear to be compound subjects, but they are
actually a single phrase made up of two or more items acting as aunit. These take a singular verb.
Example : Bacon and eggs is a high cholesterol but nourishing
meal.(Bacon and eggs is a single dish.)
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Pronoun-antecedent is similar to subject-verbagreement. Pronouns agree in person, number, andgender with their antecedents(words they refer to).
Example :
Jack ate his lunch quickly.(His agrees withJack.)
Martha stopped by to see her mother afterclass.(Heragrees withMartha)
Each ofus needs to bring our own ideas to themeeting.(Ouragrees with us)
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Formal and Informal Usage of
PronounsFormal (writing and
formal speech)
Everyone drove his or herown car to the picnic.
If you see anyone fromour office, tell him or her
to see me. Everybody may leave
when he or she wishes.
Informal (only forconversation)
Everyone drove theirown car to the picnic.
If you see anyone fromour office, tell them to
see me. Everybody may leave
when they wish.
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Either/or & Neither/nor Either the president or his cabinet members are
responsible for this environmental policy. (members iscloser to the verb and requires the plural are)
Neither the members of the city nor the mayor supportsmore real estate development.(mayoris closer to the verband requires the singular verb supports)
Reversing the above sentences
Either the cabinet members or the presidentisresponsible for this environmental policy.
Neither the mayor nor the members of the city councilsupport more real estate development.