I am the Iguana Editor-in-Chief, and I’m here to provide you with grammar relief,I’ll help with your usage, mechanics, tooIf you just watch my slides, (which I made is the zoo).

I usually eat flowers ot little fruits, though I’ll scarf down just about anything nice,But I also munch run-ons or gnaw that pesky comma splice.I dig up errors by their roots: usage, mechanics. Never mice.Although widely known as an herbivore, the truth is I really love sentences more.

So what are the rules for pronoun use? (Really quite simple: they’re not obtuse!)Number agrees—like ‘he’ or ‘it’ for nouns that are single—Proper pronoun reference makes my dorsal spine tingle.

Each pronoun must have a clear antecedent: a ‘they’ is people—two or more. An ‘it’ or a ‘that’ or ‘this’ referto one idea or thing, unless you’re hell-bent on rule breaking.

What about spelling? Does that count, too? Yes! Use spell-check and master arule, or two. Make sure proper nounsstart with capital letters. Surely, you wish to impress your ‘betters’ !

The role of editor is subtle, but sure: fix mistakes big and small on an edit barrage,and disappear, like I do, using camouflage.

c. N. L. Craven

Subject/Verb AgreementSubject/Verb Agreement

Created by Dionne IrvingCreated by Dionne Irving

Edited by Nancy CravenEdited by Nancy Craven

This week’s Iguana Editor-in-Chief lesson is on:

Present Tense AgreementPresent Tense Agreement

In the present tense, verbs agree with their In the present tense, verbs agree with their subjects in number (singular or plural) and subjects in number (singular or plural) and in person (first, second or third). in person (first, second or third).

The present tense ending –s (or –es) is The present tense ending –s (or –es) is used a on a verb if its subject is third used a on a verb if its subject is third person singular; otherwise it takes no person singular; otherwise it takes no ending. ending.

Maintaining AgreementMaintaining Agreement

In the majority of the sentences you write, In the majority of the sentences you write, the subject comes before the verb; in the subject comes before the verb; in many direct questions, part of the verb many direct questions, part of the verb comes before the subject.comes before the subject.

Example: What Example: What did did Ted Ted saysay? ?

Sentences beginning with Sentences beginning with There There and and HereHere

There and here are both adverbs and can’t There and here are both adverbs and can’t be subjects. In a sentence beginning with be subjects. In a sentence beginning with either of these words, the subject always either of these words, the subject always comes after the verb. comes after the verb.

Example: Example: There is several reasons for her success. (WRONG) There is several reasons for her success. (WRONG)

‘‘is’is’ is a singular verb and ‘ is a singular verb and ‘there’there’ cannot act as the cannot act as the subject, so the subject is subject, so the subject is ‘reasons’‘reasons’ which is plural which is plural

There are several reasons for her success. (RIGHT)There are several reasons for her success. (RIGHT)

Verbs that agree with antecedentsVerbs that agree with antecedents

Relative pronouns Relative pronouns who, whichwho, which and and that that have antecedents, nouns or pronouns to have antecedents, nouns or pronouns to which they refer. Relative pronouns used which they refer. Relative pronouns used as subjects of subordinate clauses take as subjects of subordinate clauses take verbs that agree with their antecedents. verbs that agree with their antecedents.

Example:Example: Dr. Barker knew that Frank was Dr. Barker knew that Frank was the only one of his sons who the only one of his sons who was was responsible enough to handle the estate. responsible enough to handle the estate.

The antecedent of ‘The antecedent of ‘who’who’ is ‘ is ‘oneone,’ not ‘,’ not ‘sonssons.’ .’

Maintaining AgreementMaintaining Agreement

You should make a verb agree with the subject, You should make a verb agree with the subject, not with a word that comes in between. not with a word that comes in between. Example:Example: High High levelslevels of air pollution of air pollution cause cause damage to the respiratory tract. damage to the respiratory tract.

Phrases beginning with the prepositions Phrases beginning with the prepositions as well as well as, in addition to, accompanied by, together with as, in addition to, accompanied by, together with andand along with along with do not make a singular subject do not make a singular subject plural.plural.Example:Example: The governor, The governor, as well asas well as his press his press secretary ,secretary ,waswas shot. shot.

PrepositionsPrepositions

The object of a preposition cannot be the The object of a preposition cannot be the subject of a verb. subject of a verb.

The old scrapbook in the closet under The old scrapbook in the closet under the storage box belongs to my the storage box belongs to my grandmother.grandmother.

In this sentence, ‘scrapbook’ is the In this sentence, ‘scrapbook’ is the subject, and ‘boxes’ is the object of the subject, and ‘boxes’ is the object of the preposition ‘under’. preposition ‘under’.

Plural SubjectsPlural Subjects Subjects with two or more parts are compound. Subjects with two or more parts are compound.

Subjects joined with Subjects joined with and and are generally plural.are generally plural.Example:Example: A small sign A small sign andand a campaign button a campaign button areare

the only indication of the candidate’s presence. the only indication of the candidate’s presence. Exceptions: When the parts of the subject form a Exceptions: When the parts of the subject form a

single unit or refer to the same thing, treat the single unit or refer to the same thing, treat the subject as singular. subject as singular.

Example:Example: Sara’s friend and advisor Sara’s friend and advisor was was surprised surprised by her decision. by her decision.

The exception does not apply when followed by The exception does not apply when followed by the word the word eacheach. .

With subjects joined by With subjects joined by oror or or nor,nor, make the make the verb agree with the subject nearer to the verb agree with the subject nearer to the verb.verb.

The firefighter or the captain The firefighter or the captain isis meeting meeting with the television crew. with the television crew.

Neither Sammy nor Carla Neither Sammy nor Carla seemseem to be to be bothered by the messes that result. bothered by the messes that result.

Indefinite PronounsIndefinite Pronouns Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to general rather Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to general rather

than specific persons and things. The following than specific persons and things. The following indefinite pronouns are always singular: indefinite pronouns are always singular:

anotheranother eacheach everythingeverythingno oneno one somebodysomebody eithereitheranybodyanybody neitherneither nothing nothingsomeonesomeone anyoneanyone everybody everybodynobodynobody oneone somethingsomethinganything everyoneanything everyone

Example: Example: Everyone around the accident was silent.Everyone around the accident was silent. Neither of the girls brought her umbrella. Neither of the girls brought her umbrella.

Collective nouns and Singular Collective nouns and Singular nouns ending in ‘s’nouns ending in ‘s’

Collective nouns are always treated as Collective nouns are always treated as singular ( family, jury, team etc.) singular ( family, jury, team etc.)

Example:Example: The entire The entire flock was flock was sitting on sitting on the power line. the power line.

UNLESS the meaning is clearly plural. UNLESS the meaning is clearly plural.

Example:Example: A young couple were arguing A young couple were arguing about politics while holding hands. about politics while holding hands.

Bye now, and Happy Editing

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