Lecture 9: SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT, CASE 9. SUBJECTVERB AGREEMENT 7.1 The genera ru e!

The verb agrees with its subject in nu"#er and $er!%n. The agreement applies whenever the verb displays distinctions in person and number. For all verbs other than be , the distinctions are found only in the present tense, where the third person singular has the -s form and the third person plural like the first and second persons has the base form: !" The noise distracts them. #" The noises distract them. The verb be makes further distinctions in the present and introduces distinctions in the past. These are as follows: $re!ent ten!e !st person #nd person $rd person $a!t ten!e !st person #nd person $rd person !&ngu ar am are is !&ngu ar was were was $ ura are $ ura were

The distinctions for third person agreement with be are illustrated in $" and %" for the present and in &" and '" for the past: $" The noise is distracting them. %" The noises are distracting them. &" The noise was distracting them. '" The noises were distracting them. The agreement affects the first verb in the verb phrase, whether it is a main verb as in !" #" or an au(iliary as in $" '". )odal au(iliaries, however, do not make distinctions in number or person: The noise may distract them. The noises *f the subject is a noun phrase, the main noun determines the number of the phrase: The noise of the demonstration demonstrators The noises of the demonstration demonstrators is distracting them. are distracting them.

*t is a mistake to allow the verb to be influenced by an adjacent noun that is not the main noun.

+oun phrases coordinated with and are generally plural, even though the individual noun phrases are singular: The President and the Vice-President were at the ceremony. ,lauses are generally singular: Playing handball relaxes me. To make mistakes is only human. That he needs a shave is obvious. The rule of number agreement between subject -./ and verb applies to all finite clauses, whether they are main clauses or subordinate clauses: Inflation (S) is decreasing, and productivity (S) is rising. Nature (S) has arranged that no two flowers (S) are the same, even though they (S) appear very similar. 9.'. An( The subject is plural if it consists of two or more phrases that are linked by and, even if each is singular: Your kitchen, your living-room, and your dining-room are too small. The subject is also plural if and is implied though not actually present: Your kitchen, your living-room, your dining-room, are too small. *t is plural when one of the main nouns is implied though not actually present: ritish and !merican "nglish are dialects o# one language. ( ritish "nglish and !merican "nglish are . . . ) oth the #irst and the second $ri%e were &on by students at our school. ( oth the #irst $ri%e and the second $ri%e &ere') 0n the other hand, if the linked units refer to the same thing, the subject is singular: The #irst serious $oem ( read in grade school and one ( later studied in high school was )*%ymandias+ by Shelley. (The #irst serious $oem &as identical &ith the one later studied.) ! conscientious and honest $olitician has nothing to #ear. (! $olitician &ho is both conscientious and honest has') *n some instances, two linked units may be viewed as either a combination -and therefore singular/ or as separate units -and therefore plural/: read and butter is good #or you. ( read &ith butter on it is . . . ) read and butter have recently gone u$ in $rice. ( oth bread and butter have . . . ) *f the noun phrases are introduced by each or every, the subject is singular: "very student and every instructor has to sho& an (, card to borro& books #rom the library. "ach adult and each child was given a sand&ich. "very bank and store was closed that day. 9.) *r, n%r *f the subject noun phrases are linked by or, either ...or, or neither...nor, the verb may be singular or plural. 1hen both phrases are singular, the verb is singular:

-o #ood or drink was $rovided. "ither $ollen or dust causes his allergy. -either the time nor the $lace was a$$ro$riate. 1hen both phrases are plural, the verb is plural: "ither the .nionists or the -ationalists have to make concessions. 1hen one phrase is singular and the other plural, usage guides prefer the verb to agree in number with the phrase closest to it: Three short essays or one long essay is re/uired. -either your brother nor your sisters are res$onsible. The plural is very often used in conversation regardless of which phrase precedes the verb. 1hen the linked units are pronouns that re2uire different verb forms, it is better to avoid having to make a choice. *nstead, rephrase the sentence: -either you nor ( am res$onsible #or the arrangements. -either o# us is res$onsible #or the arrangements. 9.+ ,&th 1hen a singular noun phrase is linked to a following noun phrase by a preposition such as &ith, the subject is singular even though the preposition is similar in meaning to and: 0is sister, together &ith her t&o youngest children, is staying &ith them. The subject is singular because the main noun is singular. 0ther prepositions used in a similar way include as well as and in addition to: The teacher, as &ell as the students, was en1oying the $icnic. *n the following sentence, the preposition is a#ter: *ne $erson a#ter another has ob1ected to the $ro$osed re#orm. 9.- C% ect&.e n%un! 3 collective noun refers to a group of people or things. .ome common e(amples are: administration army audience class committee cre& cro&d enemy #irm #amily #leet gang government grou$ herd 1ury mob nation $ublic s&arm team

1hen members of the group are viewed as a unit, singular verbs and singular pronouns are usual: The audience was very noisy. The $ublic has a right to kno&. The 1ury has retired #or the night, but it &ill resume its deliberations tomorro&. The *lym$ic 2ommittee has made its decision, and has a&arded the 3445 6ames to ei1ing. 1hen the members of the group are viewed as individuals, plural verbs and plural pronouns are used: The government are con#used about &hat to do next. (The members o# the government are . . . ) !ll the team are in their $laces. (!ll the members o# the team are . . . ) 9./ 0n(e1&n&te $r%n%un! )ost indefinite pronouns take singular verbs: "verybody is no& here. Someone has borro&ed my comb. *n formal writing, use singular verbs even when a plural phrase follows the pronouns: "ither o# them is $re$ared to hel$ you. "ach o# our #riends has taken the course. .everal indefinite pronouns -none, all, some, any/ and the fractions may be either singular or plural. *f they refer to one thing, they take a singular verb: Some (o# the material) is not suitable #or children. 0al# (the county) is under &ater. !ll (the #ruit) has been eaten. -one (o# the cro$) was in danger. *f they refer to more than one person or thing, they take a plural verb: Some (o# the $ages) are missing. 0al# (o# the members) have voted in #avour o# the amendment to the constitution. !ll (my #riends) were abroad. -one (o# us) have heard about the ne& regulation. -one is also used with a singular verb: None (o# us) has heard about the ne& regulation. 4roblems sometimes arise in the choice of pronouns or determiners for which singular indefinite pronouns are the antecedent. The traditional choice for formal writing is a masculine pronoun or determiner, according to what is re2uired in the conte(t: 789 "verybody &anted a room o# his o&n. 739 ,oes anyone think he can solve this $roblem: *t is also the traditional choice when noun phrases are introduced by indefinite determiners such as every or any or when the phrases refer to a class of people:

7;9 "very student has handed in his &ork on time. 7<9 ! good musician receives more invitations to $er#orm than he can manage. ,hanges in attitude have led many to avoid using the masculine to refer to both male and female. *t is generally possible to rephrase the sentence to avoid suggesting a se(ist bias. 0ne way is to avoid using a pronoun or possessive determiner, as in !a"5 another way is to make the subject plural, as in #a" %a": 78a9 "verybody &anted a se$arate room. 73a9 ,o any o# you think you can solve this $roblem: 7;a9 All students have handed in their &ork on time. 7<a9 6ood musicians receive more invitations to $er#orm than they can manage. *n recent usage, the plural pronouns their and they are increasingly being used, especially in informal conte(ts: "verybody &anted a room o# their o&n. ,oes anyone think they can solve this $roblem: 9.7 2uant&t3 $hra!e! 4lural phrases of 2uantity or e(tent take singular verbs when the 2uantity or e(tent is viewed as a unit: Ten $ounds is enough. T&o years seems too long to &ait. =ive miles was as #ar as they &ould &alk. 0therwise, a plural is used: T&enty years have $assed since ( last sa& 0elen. T&enty-seven $ounds were stolen #rom his &allet. 9.4 S&ngu ar n%un! en(&ng &n 5! +ouns ending in -ics are singular when they refer to a field of study, for e(ample economics , linguistics , mathematics , $hysics , statistics : Statistics is one o# the o$tions in the degree course. Economics &as my #avourite sub1ect at school. .ome of these nouns are often used in a different sense and may then be plural: Your statistics are inaccurate. The acoustics in this hall have been im$roved. +ames of diseases that end in -s are generally treated as singular, for e(ample !(,S, measles , mum$s > AIDS is $articularly $revalent in !#rica. +ames of games that end in -s are singular, for e(ample billiards, darts, draughts, dominoes> Dominoes is the only game ( $lay at home. *ndividual pieces have singular and plural forms:

You+ve dro$$ed a domino on the #loor. The dominoes are on the #loor. 9.9 ho! which! that

The relative pronouns &ho, &hich, and that have the same number as the nouns they refer to. The singular is correct in the following sentences: ( have &ritten a letter #or the student who is a$$lying #or a 1ob in our de$artment. (The student is a$$lying . . .) You need s$ecial $ermission to borro& a book which is ke$t in the re#erence section. (The book is ke$t . . . ) They noted the tension that has begun to mount in the city. (The tension has begun to mount . . . ) The plural is correct in the following sentences: Peo$le who live in glasshouses shouldn+t thro& stones. (The $eo$le live in glasshouses.) The &ea$ons which &ere #ound during the search &ere $roduced as evidence in court. (The &ea$ons &ere #ound . . . ) She re$orted on the decisions that &ere made at the meeting.(The decisions &ere made...) The same rule of agreement applies when the relative pronoun refers to a personal pronoun: You who are my closest #riends kno& best &hat needs to be done. (You are my closest #riends.) (t is ( who am to blame. (( am to blame.) (t is he who is res$onsible #or organi%ing the event. (0e is res$onsible . . . ) *n less formal conte(ts, constructions beginning (t+s . . . will take objective forms of the pronouns and third person verb forms: *t6s me who 6s 7who was to blame. *t6s us who are 7 were to blame. 9.16 ,hat 8ither a singular verb or a plural verb may be used with the pronoun &hat. The choice depends on the meaning: hat &orries them is that he has not yet made u$ his mind. (The thing that &orries them is . . . ) They live in what are called ranch houses. (in houses that are called . . . ) .imilarly, use either the singular or the plural with &hat-clauses, according to the meaning: hat they need is a good rest. (The thing that they need is . . .) hat &ere once $ain#ul ordeals are no& routine examinations.(Those things'are no&...) 9.11 There &! , there are *n speech, it is common to use a singular verb after introductory there even when the subject -which follows the verb/ is plural: There"s t&o men &aiting #or you. *n formal writing, follow the general rule:

There is somebody &aiting #or you. There are t&o men &aiting #or you. 9.!# ,itations and titles ,itations and titles always take a singular verb, even though they consist of plural phrases: #$hildren" is an irregular $lural. %eservoir Dogs is a very violent #ilm. &scar and 'ucinda &as a&arded the ooker Pri%e in 8?55. ,3.8 9.1) Su#7ect c%"$ e"ent 1hen the subject complement is a pronoun, it is usually in the objective case: (t+s me, That+s him. .uch sentences tend to occur in speech or written dialogue. .ubjective forms as in (t is ( and This is he are felt to be stilted, though they may be used in formal conte(ts in constructions such as (t is ( &ho am to blame , (t is he &ho is res$onsible. 9.1+ C%%r(&nate( $hra!e! The rules for the selection of subjective and objective cases in pronouns: !. 1e use the subjective case for the subject and -in formal style/ for the subject complement5 #. 0therwise we use the objective case. 8rrors of case may arise when a pronoun is coordinated with a noun or another pronoun: 789 (ou and her &ill take charge. (,orrect to You and she .) 739 ( think )ob and me have the right a$$roach. (,orrect to ob and ( .) 7;9 "verybody kno&s Nancy and I . (,orrect to -ancy and me .) 7<9 The tickets are #or you and I . (,orrect to you and me .) The errors do not occur when there is only one pronoun. :ou can therefore test which form is correct by using just the second pronoun: 78a9 She &ill take charge. (She is subject.) 73a9 ( think I have the right a$$roach. (( is subject of the subordinate clause.) 7;a9 "verybody kno&s me. (@e is direct object.) 7<a9 The tickets are #or me. (@e is complement of the preposition #or.) There is a similar possibility of error when we or us is accompanied by a noun: They com$lained about the &ay us students &ere behaving. ,orrect to: we students . -cf. the &ay we &ere behaving ./ They &ill not succeed in $ushing we !ustralians around. ,orrect to: us !ustralians . -cf. $ushing us around ./ 9.1- A1ter as an( than

*n formal writing, as and than are always conjunctions in comparisons. The case of the pronoun depends on its function in the comparative clause, though the verb may be absent: !" They #elt the same &ay as he. -0e is subject./ #" They $aid him more than me. -@e is indirect object./ $" 0e likes me more than her. -0er is direct object./ :ou can test which form is correct by e(panding the comparative clause: !a" They #elt the same &ay as he did. #a" They $aid him more than they $aid me. $a" 0e likes me more than he likes her. *n less formal conte(ts, the objective forms are normal even when the pronoun is subject: !b" They #elt the same &ay as him. 9.1/ A1ter but ut meaning ;exce$t+ is a preposition. *n formal writing, the pronoun following the preposition but should be in the objective case: ( kno& everybody here but her. -obody but me can tell the di##erence. 9.17 A1ter let <se the objective case after let: Aet us examine the $roblem care#ully. Aet them make their o&n decisions. 3 coordinated pronoun should be objective: Aet you and me take the matter in hand. Aet ob and her say &hat they think. 9.14 ho , whom

1hom is not often used in everyday speech. *n formal writing, however, the distinction between subjective &ho and objective &hom is retained: She is somebody who kno&s her o&n mind. (cf. She kno&s her o&n mind.) She is somebody on whom ( can rely. (cf. ( can rely on her.) 4arenthetic clauses like ( believe and ( think should not affect the choice of case: 789 ( recently s$oke to somebody who ( believe kno&s you &ell. -cf. She kno&s you &ell, ( believe./ 739 ( recently s$oke to somebody whom ( believe you kno& &ell. -cf. (ou kno& her &ell, ( believe./ The following e(ample is different:

$" She is somebody whom ( consider to be a good candidate #or $romotion . -cf. ( consider her to be a good candidate #or $romotion./ ( consider in $" is not parenthetic. *t cannot be omitted like ( believe in !" and #". Bhom in $" is the direct object of consider . .imilarly, the distinction between subjective &hoever and &homever is retained in formal writing: hoever &ants to see me should make an a$$ointment &ith my secretary. (c#. She &ants to see me.) You can sho& the re$ort to whoever &ants to see it. (c#. She &ants to see it.) ( &ill o##er advice to whomever ( &ish. (c#. ( &ish to o##er advice to her .) 9.19 Ca!e 8&th 5ing c au!e! 3n -ing clause may have a nominal function -i.e. a function similar to one possible for a noun phrase/. *f the subject of the clause is a pronoun, a name, or other short personal noun phrase, it is preferable to put it into the genitive case: They &ere sur$rised at Paul"s*his re#using to 1oin the club. 0e &as a#raid o# my $rotesting against the ne& rule. ( dislike %obert"s seeing C-rated movies. ,o you kno& the reason #or your sister"s breaking o## the engagement: <se the common case -that is, not the genitive case/ for long noun phrases: ( remember a car with a broken rear window being $arked alongside our house. They &ere annoyed at the students and staff demonstrating against cuts in student loans. The common case is also used for non-personal nouns: ( am interested in the car being sold as soon as $ossible. 8(cept in formal writing, the subject is often in the common case -for nouns/ or objective case -for pronouns/: They &ere sur$rised at Paul*him re#using to 1oin the club. *n both formal and informal writing, the genitive case is used when the clause is the subject: +y #orgetting her name amused everybody. .imilarly, use the common case -for nouns/ or objective case -for pronouns/ after verbs of perception, such as see , or certain other verbs, the most fre2uent of which are #ind , kee$ , and leave : ( ke$t Paul &aiting. Be &atched them leaving.

E9ERC0SES 8(ercise 9.! .ubjectverb agreement Select the appropriate verb form given in brackets at the end of each sentence! and write it in the blank space, !. =e >>>>>>>>>> his neighbour jogging. -see, sees / #. =e >>>>>>>>>> know what kind of e(ercise to do. -don6t, doesn6t / $. 8(ercise for the middle-aged >>>>>>>>>> considered a prophylactic. -is, are / %. Too many people >>>>>>>>>> up with heart attacks. -end, ends / &. To undertake an e(ercise test >>>>>>>>>> prudent. -is, are / '. The test >>>>>>>>>> your level of fitness. -determine, determines / ?. <sually the test >>>>>>>>>> after a physical e(amination. -come, comes / @. Finding out what your heart can do >>>>>>>>>> the goal of the test. -is, are / 8(ercise 9.# .ubjectverb agreement Select the appropriate verb form given in brackets at the end of each sentence! and write it down in the blank space, !. .urgeons in the <. successfully >>>>>>>>>> clouded vision or outright blindness by transplanting about !A,AAA corneas a year. -alleviate, alleviates / #. The congregation >>>>>>>>>> mainly of factory workers. -consist, consists / $. 3nalysis with the aid of computers >>>>>>>>>> those accounts that appear to be conduits for drug money. - select , selects / %. 1hat makes the situation serious >>>>>>>>>> that no new antibiotics have been discovered in the past !& years. - is , are / &. Biding a bicycle in Condon >>>>>>>>>> courage and agility. - demands , demand / '. 8ach >>>>>>>>>> capable of the first 9A minutes of sustained high-altitude running. - is , are / ?. =e was fascinated by the stories in the 0ld Testament that >>>>>>>>>> history to be determined by chance meetings and by small, personal inci- dents. - show , shows / @. The job of establishing sufficient controls and measurements so that you can tell what is actually happening to athletes >>>>>>>>>> tediously comple(. - is , are / 8(ercise 9.$ .ubjectverb agreement These sentences form a connected passage, The base form of a verb is given in brackets at the end of each sentence, rite down the appropriate form of the verb in the blank space, !. The young woman now sitting in the dermatologist6s waiting room >>>>>>>>>> an itchy rash. - have / #. The rash on her elbows and legs >>>>>>>>>> due to an allergic reaction. - be / $. There are many allergies that >>>>>>>>>> rashes. - cause / %. The e(istence of allergies >>>>>>>>>> known long before scientists had any understanding of their nature. - be / &. The nature of allergy >>>>>>>>>> still not fully understood. - be / 8(ercise 9.% *ndefinite pronouns %ewrite each sentence to avoid se-ist bias, !. 8ach student must fill out an application form if he wishes to be considered for a postgraduate studentship. #. 8verybody worked his hardest to ensure that the event was a success. $. 3n astronaut runs the risk of serious injury, even death, if his space-craft malfunctions while he is in orbit. %. 8ach worker should show up promptly for work or run the risk of having an hour6s pay deducted from his pay-packet. 8(ercise 9.& ,oordinated phrases Select the pronoun form given in brackets that would be appropriate in formal writing! and write it down in the blank.

!. 8dward and >>>>>>>>>> went for a walk after the talk. - * , me / #. 0ur boss thinks that )ary and >>>>>>>>>> talk too much when we work together. - * , me / $. The police officer gave the driver and >>>>>>>>>>a stern lecture on the condition of our car. - * , me / %. >>>>>>>>>>3ustralians are proud of our culture. - 1e , <s / 8(ercise 9.' 1ho , whom Select the pronoun form given in brackets that would be appropriate in formal writing! and write it in the blank, !. .he is the only person >>>>>>>>>> * trust completely. - who , whom / #. Do to the office and speak to >>>>>>>>>> is working at the reception desk. - whoever , whomever / $. Ted is the only person >>>>>>>>>> * think is capable of filling the position. - who , whom /. %. 4eople should vote for the candidate >>>>>>>>>> they feel will best represent their interests. - who , whom / &. The manager has already decided >>>>>>>>>> to promote. -who , whom/ 8(ercise 9.? ,ase Select the appropriate word given in brackets at the end of each sentence! and write it down in the blank space, If more than one seems appropriate! give the more formal word, !. 1e should help those >>>>>>>>>> we know are helping themselves. - who , whom / #. 1e do not know >>>>>>>>>> to ask. - who , whom / $. They will pay the reward to >>>>>>>>>> you nominate. - whoever , whomever / %. )y grandmother was one of si( sisters, each of >>>>>>>>>> had at least five daughters. - who , whom / &. .peak to the person >>>>>>>>>> is in charge. - who , whom / '. Eoan and >>>>>>>>>> are about to leave. - * , me / ?. >>>>>>>>>> do you want to seeF - 1ho , 1hom / @. * am playing the record for >>>>>>>>>> is interested. - whoever , whomever / 8(ercise 9.@ ,ase with -ing clauses Select the appropriate word given in brackets at the end of each sentence! and write it down in the blank space, If more than one seems possible! give the more formal word, !. * watched >>>>>>>>>> playing football. - them , their / #. They were angry at >>>>>>>>>> refusing to join the strike. - him , his / $. 3re you surprised at >>>>>>>>>> wanting the positionF - me , my / %. They can at least prevent >>>>>>>>>> infecting others. - him , his / &. * certainly do not object to >>>>>>>>>> paying for the meal. - you , your /