Rina Suryani Oktari, S.Kep, M.Si

GRAMMAR REVIEW (Subject Verb Agreement)

OUTLINE - Subject-verb agreement - None/No - Either/Neither - Gerunds as subjects - Collective nouns - A number of/The number of - There is/There are

Subject Separated from The Verb

Subject + [preposi0onal phrase] + Verb

The boys in the room are studying. Several theories on this subject have been proposed. The view of these disciplines varies from time to

time. The danger of forest fires is not to be taken lightly. The actress, along with her manager and some

friends, is going to a party tonight. Mr. Robbins, accompanied by his wife and children, is

arriving tonight.

together with accompanied by along with as well as

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Exercise 1. John, along with twenty friends, (is/ are) planning a

party.2. The picture of the soldiers (bring/brings) back many

memories.3. The quality of these recordings (is/ are) not very

good.4. If the duties of these officers (isnt/ arent) reduced,

there will not be enough time to finish the project.5. The effects of cigarette smoking (have/ has) been

proven to be extremely harmful.

Exercise (2) 6. The use of credit cards in place of cash (have/ has)

increased rapidly in recent years. 7. Advertisements on television (is/ are) becoming more

competitive than ever before.8. Living expenses in this country, as well as in many

others (is/ are) at an all-time high.9. Mr. Jones accompanied by several members of the

committee (have/has) proposed some changes of the rules.

10. The levels of intoxication (vary/varies) from subject to subject.

Words That Always Take Singular Verbs and Pronouns

Everybody who has not purchased a ticket should be in this line. Something was under the house. If either of you takes a vacation now, we will not be able to finish the

work. Anybody who has lost his ticket should report to the desk. No problem is harder to solve than this one. Nobody works harder than John does.

NONE/ NO None + of the + non-count noun + singular verb

None + of the + plural count noun + plural verb

No + singular noun + singular verb Non-count noun

No + plural noun + plural verb

EITHER/ NEITHER Neither + noun + nor + plural noun + plural verb

Either or

Neither + noun + nor + singular noun + singular verb Either or

Neither John nor Bill is going to the beach today.Either John or his friends are going to the beach today.Neither John nor Jane is going to class today.Either Maria or her friends are going to class today.

GERUNDS AS SUBJECTS

Knowing her has made him what he is.Not studying has caused him many problems.Washing with a special cream is recommended

for scalp infections.Writing many letters makes her happy.

[verb + ing] (gerund) + singular

COLLECTIVE NOUNS

The flock of birds is circling overhead.

A school of fish is being attacked by sharks.

The organization has lost many members this year.

Our team is going to win the game.

A NUMBER OF/ THE NUMBER OF

A number of students are going to the class picnis. The number of days in a week is seven A number of the applicants have already been interviewed. The number of residents who have been questioned on this

matter is quite small.

a number of + plural noun + plural verb

the number of + plural noun + singular verb

NOUNS THAT ARE ALWAYS PLURAL The pants are

in the drawer. A pair of pants

is in the drawer.

The pliers were on the table.

These scissors are dull.

This pair of scissors is dull.

THERE IS/ THERE ARE there is there was + singular subject there has been (or non-count)

There is a storm approaching.There have been a number of telephone calls today.There was water on the floor where he fell.

there are there were + plural subject there have been

Exercise 1. Neither Bill nor Mary (is/are) going to the play

tonight.2. Anything (is/are) better than going to another movie

tonight.3. Skating (is/are) becoming more popular every day.4. A number of reporters (was/were) at the conference

yesterday.5. Everybody who (has/have) a fever must go home

immediately.

Exercise 6. Your glasses (was/were) on the bureau last night.7. There (was/were) some people at the meeting last

night.8. The committee (has/have) already reached a decision.9. A pair of jeans (was/were) in the washing machine

this morning.10. Each student (has/have) answered the firs three

questions.

Exercise 11. Either John or his wife (make/makes) breakfast

each morning.12. After she had perused the material, the

secretary decided that everything (was/were) in order.

13. The crowd at the basketball game (was/were) wild with excitement.

14. A pack of wild dogs (has/have) eliminated this section of the training test.

15. The jury (is/are) trying to reach a decision.

Exercise 16. The army (has/have) eliminated this section of the

training test.17. The number of students who have withdrawn from

class this quarter (is/are) appalling.18. There (has/have) been to many interruptions in this

class.19. Every elementary school teacher (has/have) to

take examination.20. Neither Jill nor her parents (has/have) seen this

movie before.