Agreement: Subject-Verb; Pronoun-Antecedent
The
rules for agreement are simple, but need emphasizing because breaking them
often goes unnoticed. Simply, every verb must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural);
every pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number (singular or
plural).
SUBJECT-VERB
AGREEMENT
With
ordinary nouns and verbs, most writers are aware of their status as singular or
plural. Problems arise in complex
sentences with multiple phrases and/or clauses that confuse the matter. Also, some words seem to defy logic and are
“special problems.”
Special Problems of Subject-Verb Agreement
1. Using
“either … or” and “neither … nor.”
If these
correlatives join singular subjects, the verb must be singular.
Example:
Either my sister or my brother visits China every
year.
If
these correlatives join plural subjects, the verb must be plural.
Example: In
the Olympics, neither the Chinese
nor the Americans compete
well against the Russians.
If
these correlatives join a singular noun with a plural noun, the verb agrees
with the noun closest to it.
Examples:
Neither Jake
nor his brothers play the
violin.
Either the 6000 fans
or the announcer misunderstands
the official’s ruling.
2. Nouns joined
by “and” govern a plural verb.
Examples:
Respectability and contentment accompany old age.
Blocking for the quarterback and
carrying the ball are two
requirements of fullbacks.
3. The verb
should not be affected by a phrase between the subject and verb.
Examples:
The faculty,
as well as many of the students, does not understand the new
policy. (subj. and verb are both singular)
The space
between the two cars allows no room for opening the doors.
4. Using “a
number of” or “the number of”
As a
subject, “a number” followed by “of” takes a plural verb.
Example: A number of travelers in the Southwest have
witnessed meteor showers.
As a
subject, “the number” followed by “of” takes a singular verb.
Example: The number of different ideas students can
generate astounds me.
5. The
following pronouns are singular, and therefore take a singular verb:
another
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
much
neither
nobody
no one
nothing
one
other
someone
something
somebody
Examples:
Each of the books is over
a thousand pages long.
Anything my brother paints amazes
me.
Nobody has the right to
steal from another.
6. The
following pronouns are plural: several,
few, many, others, both.
Examples:
Several of the participants knew
the answers.
A few of
the students were enthusiastic.
Many of the papers were
torn.
Both of the brothers played
baseball.
7. The
following pronouns are singular or plural, depending on what follows them: some, none, most, all.
Examples:
Some of the movies were
funny.
Some of the cake was left
over.
None of my students like
me.
None of the field was
plowed.
Most of my students are
brilliant.
Most of the food is
awful.
All of the books in the library
are damaged.
All of the time was
spent in mourning.
8. Collective
nouns are singular in form and usually take a singular verb.
Examples:
The pod
of whales clusters around the biggest male for protection.
That choir
sings beautifully.
The flock
of geese travels south.
Note: Exceptions to this rule occur when the writer
thinks of the elements of the collective noun as individuals rather than as a
groupl
Examples:
The Board
of Education flounder during budget considerations.
As the gaggle
of geese on the ground waddle here and there, they make a mess.
PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT
AGREEMENT
Pronouns
must agree with their antecedents in both number and gender. Also, pronouns should be placed as closely as
possible to the antecedent.
Special Problems of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
1. The
indefinite pronouns listed under No. 5 (above) need a singular pronoun.
Examples:
Anyone can succeed if she tries.
Everyone brought a gift for his writing teacher.
Someone should admit his
unwillingness to excel in grammar.
2. Plural indefinite
pronouns require plural pronouns.
Examples:
Several of the participants quit
because they were tired.
A few in
the front row had paid significant amounts for their tickets.
I kept my seat on the bus, but others had to change theirs.
3. Those indefinite
pronouns that are either singular or plurl take singular or plural pronouns
accordingly.
Examples:
Some of the dog’s leash twisted itself around the clothesline.
None of the students had their pencils with them and were
scolded by their teacher.
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