Sentences: Subject-Verb Agreement

Contributed by:
Ivan
This lesson will assist students how to familiarise themselves with the use of:
1) countable and uncountable nouns
2) subject-verb agreement
3) singular and plural nouns
4) indefinite pronouns
1.


casas eeu ONC =.y 0) Ae aa

Grammar 1:
Subject—verb agreement

WVV//p)p.. www.helps.uts.edu.au
2.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 77/7§
Workshop objectives
This workshop will assist you in becoming familiar with the use of:
* Countable vs. uncountable nouns
* Subject-verb agreement
* Singular vs. plural nouns
* Indefinite pronouns
3.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT Yo.
Countable + Uncountable
A countable noun is one that can be expressed in
plural form (e.g. essay/essays).
An uncountable noun is one that usually cannot be
expressed in a plural form (e.g. coffee).
4.

HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Some nouns belong to both classes.
’ve had some difficulties finding relevant
Countable: materials for the essay.
The talks will take place in Building 1.
She succeeded at university with little difficulty.
| dislike idle talk.
5.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Countable + Uncountable
understood as one item separate and distinct from other kinds of
items from the same category.

There are several Australian wines to choose from
| prefer Sumatran coffees to Colombian.
Gardner has a theory of multiple intelligences.
ie. varieties of wine, varieties of coffee, types of
6.
Pe sade oe ren Ty ood. hagas wraures oiaalsa Yo.
Subject-verb agreement
The way the verb is matched to the subject
in terms of number (singular or plural).
7.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
There is/are...
In sentences beginning with ola .

the verb agrees with the noun phrase that follows it.
There are many questions.
There is a question.
There is much questioning.
8.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Collective nouns
Collective nouns take a singular verb if
they refer to a group/unit as a whole.
The committee want a review
of the procedures. They are
dissatisfied with the current
Collective nouns take a plural verb
when the noun is referring to
TaeHhVtclUe Mm dae cele lon

Other nouns like this include family, class, team, staff and company.
9.

HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
The news is a source of information.
Physics was my hardest subject.
Measles is highly contagious.
These scissors do not align.
The trousers are made of wool.
My clothes are made of recycled
10.
<> HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Indefinite pronouns
The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone,
everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone,
and no-one are and require a singular verb.

Nobody has claimed responsibility.
Everybody has to pay their taxes.
but... Any of the recommended books are worth reading.
11.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Verb+ting as subject
If the subject of a clause is a gerund (verb+ing), a
is required.

Studying at university is a challenge for many.
12.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
And: Compound Subjects

When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more
nouns (making them joint operators of the action) connected
Lo] , use a
John and | work on our assignments together.
Paraphrasing and summarising are important academic writing skills.
but...Bacon and eggs is a high protein breakfast. However, it is a dish
which should be eaten in moderation.
13.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Or: Singular or plural

the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer
sat RU 1d on

The book or the pen is in the drawer.
Either the doctor or the nurses attend every day.
Neither the nurses nor the doctor attends every day.
14.

HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
One of the boxes is open.
The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious
The book, including all the chapters in the first section, is boring.
The woman with those engineers leads the conference.
15.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT J
Complex subjects
A noun phrase can contain two or more nouns.
The verb that follows will agree with the head noun.

A book of answers comes with the study guide.
16.
HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
Six years is a long time.
Three dollars is not much.
The number of students on the course is less than last year.


A plural verb highlig aie huceltrl ky e group.
A number of students do not understand the assignment
17. HIGHER EDUCATION LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATION SUPPORT 7/7
With fractions, percentages and indefinite quantifiers (all, few,
many, much, some, half, none etc.), the verb agrees with the
preceding noun.
Two-thirds of the task is completed.
Two-thirds of his articles are peer-reviewed.
Fifty percent of what he writes is undocumented.
Fifty percent of the computers are iMacs.
All the information is correct.
All the studies are current.
Much of the book seems relevant to this assignment.
Many researchers depend on grants from industry.

18.
Discover these!
* Online self-help learning resources
* Drop-in & 1:1 consultations
* Writing support sessions
* Conversations@UTS
* Intensive academic English programmes
* Daily workshops
* Volunteer programmes
4% www.helps.uts.edu.au
19. Ore One Somer tag

@® 95149733
& helps@uts.edu.au
4% www.helps.uts.edu.au