grammar: agreement by eguriase s.m. okaka

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Grammar: Agreement
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka We are going to consider another important topic that you have studied previously. It is the agreement between subject and verb (also known as concord). Subject-verb agreement Remember that there are a number of rules that govern subject-verb agreement in English. If you have forgotten them, here is the chance to refresh your memory once again.  When the subject is singular, the verb is singular, Examples • He smokes. • She writes. • The man drives.  When the subject is plural, the verb is also plural. Examples • They smoke. • We write. • The men drive.  Words like each, every, none, anybody and nobody and expressions like each of, not one of and either of are always followed by a singular verb. Examples • Each of the girls has a napkin. • One of the clients are here. • Neither of the player was here. • Is either of the parents around? • Everyone of us understands the implication of his actions. • Not one of the pupils has pencil. • Each applicant was interviewed. • Every child deserves a good education. • Anybody is suitable. • Everybody was invited to the party. • Nobody was ready to leave. • None of the treasures was found.  A singular subject linked to phrases introduced by with, like and as well as requires a verb in the singular form. Examples • The woman, with the rest of her family, is here. • Taiye, like Kehinde, loves bacon and eggs. • Odun, as well as Jacob, travels frequently.  Two singular subjects linked by and are always followed by a phrasal verb. Examples • Mary and Martha are very good friends. • The boy and his sister were late for school.  One or more phrasal subjects connected by and also require a phrasal verb. Examples • The chairman and the board of members are leaving now. • The men and women are ready to work.  Two singular, subject separated by either … or, neither … nor, requires a singular verb. Examples • Either Peter or Dan is responsible. • Neither he nor she believes his lies.  Plural subjects, separated by either … or, neither … nor take a plural verb. Examples • Either the players or cheerleaders were inside the hall. • Neither the doctors nor the nurses were available.  Subjects separated by both … and, all … but are followed by a plural verb. Examples • All but Sekinat are going to the beach. • Both James and John were left behind. Noun-pronoun agreement Pronouns must also agree with the nouns they refer to in number, gender, person and case. Examples • Adamu and Zaki went to the stream. • Kema went with Adamu and Zaki. • Adamu and Zaki caught some fish. • Adamu put Adamu and Zaki’s fish in Kema’s bucket. The nouns in the sentences above can be replaced with suitable personal and possessive pronouns that agrees with the nouns in number, gender, and case, as follows.  They went to the stream. (They = third person plural, subjective case, neuter gender).  She went with them. (She – third person singular subjective case, neuter gender).  They caught some fish.  He put their fish in her bucket. (He – third person singular, subjective case, masculine gender; their = third person plural, possessive case, neuter gender. Her = third person singular, possessive case, feminine gender). Agreement in essential sentences Another type of agreement has to do with the essential there. There in the subject position, followed by the BE verb expresses existence. The structure is as follows.
Exercise 1 Underline the correct word. Choose from those in brackets. One has been done for you. 1. One of the guests (has, have) arrived. 2. The man (live, lives) here. 3. The Brimahs (was, were) visiting. 4. Everyone (want, wants) a piece of the action. 5. All but Jide (has, have) submitted the assignment. 6. Tess, like Ben, (is, are) passionate about her work. 7. Either Bolu or Ayo (has, have) left the door open. 8. Neither of them (has, have) money in the bank as both of them (is, are) poor. 9. Every body (is, are) expected to arrive early. 10. Anybody (was, were) allowed entry. Exercise 2 Replace the nouns in the following sentences suitable pronouns. One has been done for you. 1. The man is dancing with Nancy. Answer: He is dancing with her. 2. The horse ate the carrots. 3. Tom and Jerry ran after Lucy. 4. Kate broke Mr. Victor’s vase. 5. Nigel is impressed with Bob’s style. 6. The dog chased the cats. 7. The children swept the floor. 8. Give Joy Dan’s glasses. 9. The film is interesting to the children. 10. Asabe has finished knitting the blouse. Exercise 3 Make two sentences with each of the words in the box. Begin the sentences with ‘There…..’ Examples • There are many policemen on the road. • There were many policemen on the road.
Exercise 4 Underline the correct verb. Choose from those in brackets. • She (eat, / eats) too quickly. • These cars (need / needs) new tyres. • Her parents (want / wants) to buy a new car for her. • The shoes (is / are) under the bed. • River Niger (flow / flows) from North to South. • The month of September (has / have) 30 days. • That mansion on my street (has / have) ten bedrooms. • Monday (is / are) a very busy day for me. • Devote Muslims (give / gives) alms. • German and French (is / are) difficult languages to learn. Eguria.blogspot.com

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