Handout on Subject Verb Agreement 2

Rule #9: Collective nouns may be either singular or plural A. A collective noun is singular when the group is thought as a unit. Ex. The crew is very capable for that job. (All of them are good for that job.) The faculty decides to go to Boracay. (They all agreed to go to Boracay.) B. A collective noun is plural when the group is thought of as individuals acting separately. Ex. The crew were arguing about what to do. (They are not united.) The faculty disagree on the venue of their seminar. (They are not united.) Rule #10: The following words are usually singular although plural in form: mumps, measles, rickets, molasses, news, stamina Measles is an extremely contagious disease Molasses has been a family favourite for years. Rule #11: Words that end in ics may be singular or plural depending on their meaning. a. When words that end in ics refer to a course of study or to a science, they are considered singular Mathematics is not my favourite subject. Acoustics is a science that deals with sound. b. When words that end in-ics do not refer to a course of study or to a science, they are considered plural. (Sometimes they refer to qualities, behaviour, or physical activity) The acoustics in this room are excellent. (quality) Their ethics are questionable. (behaviour) Athletics are very powerful these days. (physical activity) Rule #12: Titles of books, movies, songs, and other literary works, as well as names of organizations, cities, and countries are usually singular even if plural in form. The United States remains a free country. Paper Roses is my mothers favorite song. The Three Musketeers is the first novel Ive ever read. Rule #13: Expressions stating amounts (fractions, measurements, money, time) may be singular or plural. a. They are considered singular if they are considered as a unit. Twenty dollars is a fair price. Thirty years is a long time. b. They are plural if they are regarded as separate parts. Twenty dollars are spread on the table. Thirty years have come and by. (taken as separate years) c. The number of verb agrees with the object in the of phrase Three-fourth of the pie is gone. Three -fourth of the pies are gone.

EXERCISE 1 (RULE 9) Directions: Encircle the subject and underline the correct verb form. 1. 2. 3. 4. The Cruz family (is, are) attending the seminar on Health. The jury (was, were) making last-minute phone calls The senate (is, are) in session this week. The fleet (was were) fishing in different areas of the gulf. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ms. San Juans class (is, are) meeting in the auditorium.) The team (was, were) representing the school in the contest. The crew (argue, argues) on the mechanics of the game. Their squad (was, were) leading until the third quarter.

EXERCISE 2 (RULES 10 & 11) Directions: Encircle the subject and underline the correct verb form. 1. 2. 3. 4. Mumps (is, are) a disease affecting the glands. Civics (is, are) an important subject taught in high school. His gymnastics (was, were) forbidden in the locker room. Ethics (is, are) a challenging course taught by Ms. Reyes. 5. 6. 7. 8. Measles (is, are) usually a disease of childhood. The nightly news (is, are) watched by millions of Filipinos. Physical stamina (is, are) directly related to nutrition. The dark molasses (was, were) oozing from the cracked jar.

EXERCISE 3 (RULES 12 & 13) Directions: Encircle the subject and underline the correct verb form. 1. Thirty dollars (is, are) my savings for January. 2. Evening Scenes (is, are) a work of Washington Irvin. 3. Ephesians (is, are) an interesting book in te New Testament. 4. Two thirds of the trees (was, were) uprooted by strong winds. 5. Fifty percent of the cake (was, were) already consumed. 6. 32 kilometers (is, are) what we are going to hike. 7. One hour (is, are) long enough for you. 8. Ten percent of the students (receive, receives) an award.

EXERCISE 4: IDENTIFYING ERRORS! Directions: Underline the word that makes the sentence wrong. Write the correct answer on the space provided before each number.
_______1. Paul and I takes the last two seats. No error A B C D _______2. So it was agreed that puto and dinuguan make a better snacks. No error A B C D _______3. Janice together with her daughters, watch is the play eagerly. No error A B C D _______4. Julia are three years younger than I am. No error A B C D _______5. There is two specialties in their restaurant. No error A B C D _______6. The girls told me that three minutes of dancing is already very tiring. No error A B C D _______7. In home economics class, we learns how to chop an onion. No error A B C D _______8. Were you there when Aunt Fiona taught us how to dance a scottish fling? No error A B C D _______9. Beginning Gymnastics according to Mr. Castro are better than the Athletics. No error A B C D _______10. The team is arguing whether to go on with the training or wait for better funding. No error A B C D _______11. A thousand kilometers seem such a short distance if you have a car. No error A B C D _______12. Maria and Jose works with government agencies. No error A B C D _______13. Students should always study their lessons. No error A B C D _______14. Either the principal or the teachers of the school approves the plan. No error A B C D _______15. Half of the money were donated to the charitable institutions in Manila. No error A B C D _______16. Geologists believes that there is oil deposited in the waters of Palawan. No error A B C D _______17. The children were scolded for playing noisily. No error A B C D