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AGREEMENT
SUBJECT AND VERB, PRONOUN AND ANTECEDENT
Grade 9
A. Identifying Subject Verb Agreement and Pronoun Antecedent Agreement
In most of the following sentences, either the verb does not agree with its
subject or a pronoun does not agree with its antecedent. For each incorrect
verb or pronoun, write the correct form. If a sentence is already correct write
C.
1. There was women, as well as men, who set out on the perilous journey into
new territory.
2. The Morenos, I think have the best chance of winning.
3. The store, the hotel, and the airport is all in the ten mile radius of the beach.
4. Bronzeville Boys and Girls are a collection of poems by Gwendolyn Brooks.
5. Neither of the candidates has prepared their statement.
6. Mr. Ortega, along with other members of his firm, have established a
scholarship fund for art students.
7. To apply for the scholarship, a student must subUmit at least four samples of
their work.
8. The test results showed that about 80% of respondents was in the average
group.
9. A hostile crowd gathers outside the courtroom to show their disapproval of
the verdict.
10.
The committee was preparing their speeches for the meeting with the
new governor.
B. For each sentence in the following paragraph, write the correct form of each
incorrect verb or pronoun. If the sentence is already correct write C.
Example:
Aunt Bonnie, along with several other Peace Corps volunteers,
are going to Kenya.
is going
[11] Neither my brothers nor my dad were surprised to hear that Aunt
Bonnie is going to Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer. [12] First, she and the
other members of the Kenya group gathers in Philadelphia for a few days of
orientation. [13] Their focus at this point are to meet one another and get
acquainted. [14] Then the whole group travels together to Nairobi, Kenya,
where everyone will have their last chance for months to enjoy hot running
water! [15] After one month in Nairobi, half of them leaves for the town of
Naivasha for eleven weeks of cultural sensitivity training. [16] Each of the
volunteers get to live with a Kenyan family during this period of training. [17]
The close daily contact will help them learn to converse in Swahili, one of the
languages spoken in Kenya. [18] Bonnie dont know yet where exactly in
Kenya she is going to be posted. [19] She, as well as the other members of
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her group, expects to be assigned to the area of greatest need. [20] No one
in group has been told their specific job assignment, but Bonnie says she will
probably be helping Kenyans develop small business.

AGREEMENT OF SUBJECT AND VERB

A VERB SHOULD AGREE IN NUMBER WITH ITS SUBJECT.
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs.
EXAMPLES
Earline attends college.
The boy delivers newspapers.
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs.
EXAMPLES
They attend college.
The boys deliver newspapers.
In a verb phrase, the first helping (auxiliary) verb agrees in number with the subject.
EXAMPLES
Earline is attending college.
They are attending college.
A boy in my class has been delivering newspapers.
Two boys in my class have been delivering newspapers.
NOTE: A gerund phrase or an infinitive phrase used as a complete subject takes a singular
verb. Do not be misled by any particular noun or pronoun in the phrase. The gerund or
infinitive phrase serves as a singular simple subject.
EXAMPLES:

Working with you and the others has been a privilege.

To finish our science projects is our immediate goal.

3. The number of a subject usually is not determined by a word in a phrase or a

clause following the subject.
SINGULAR:
PLURAL:

The dinosaurs from the Jurassic Period include the Seismosurus.

SINGULAR:
PLURAL:

A book of poems is on the shelf.

The only mammal that has wings is the bat.

Frogs, which both live on land and in water, are amphibians.

NOTE: Together with, in addition to, as well as, and along with are compound prepositions.
Words in phrases beginning with compound prepositions do not affect the number of the
subject or verb.
EXAMPLES:

His technical skills, together with his delightful sense of humor, have
enabled Enrique to become a successful business consultant.

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His delightful sense of humor, together with his technical skills, has enabled
Enrique to become a successful English consultant.
4. A negative construction following the subject does not affect the number of the
subject.
EXAMPLE:
Carl, not Juan and I, is doing the artwork.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
An indefinite pronoun refers to a person, a place, a thing, or an idea that may or may
not be specifically named.
Some indefinite pronouns are singular, others are plural. Certain indefinite pronouns
may be either singular or plural, depending on how they are used.
1. The following indefinite pronouns are singular: anybody, anyone, anything, each,
either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one,
somebody, someone, and something.
EXAMPLES:

Neither of the animals in the pen has been fed this morning.
Somebody is bringing a CD player to the birthday party on Saturday.
Was everyone on the volleyball team on time for the picture taking at noon?
One of the puppies has chewed a hole in your tennis shoes.

NOTE: EITHER and NEITHER can be used as adjectives and correlative conjunctions as well
as indefinite pronouns. When either word is used as an adjective or a correlative conjunction,
it cannot be the subject of the sentence. Carefully identify the subject when you are deciding
what form of a verb to use.
ADJECTIVE:

Neither animal has been fed.

CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION:
INDEFINITE PRONOUN:

Neither the cows nor the pigs have been fed yet.

Neither of the animals has been fed.

2. The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many, and several.
EXAMPLES:
Have both of them been informed?
A few in the crowd were rowdy.
Many of the staff write and edit on word processors.
Several of the women are pilots.
3. The following indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural depending on
how they are used: all, any, more, most, none, and some.
These pronouns are singular when they refer to singular words and are plural when they
refer to plural words.
SINGULAR
Most of the job was finished.
PLURAL
Most of the jobs were finished.
SINGULAR
PLURAL

Has any of the shipment arrived?

Have any of the shipments arrived?

SINGULAR

None of the test was difficult.

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PLURAL

None of the tests were difficult.

In each of the examples above, the object of the prepositional phrase following the indefinite
pronoun provides a clue to the number of the pronoun.
NOTE In a sentence that does not include the phrase after the subject, you must find the
number of the noun to which the pronoun refers. Make sure that the verb has the same
number as the antecedent.
EXAMPLES

Most was interesting. [The pronoun Most may be referring to a portion of a

book, of a movie, of a conversation, or some other thing.]
Most were interesting. [The pronoun Most may be referring to a number of
books, photographs, ideas, or other things.]

COMPOUND SUBJECTS
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a conjunction and
that have the same verb.
1. Subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb.
EXAMPLES
Ramon and she like hiking.
Her brother, her uncle, and her cousin are teachers.
Both the scout and the counselor were helpful guides.
NOTE: Subjects joined by and that name only one person, place, thing, or idea take singular
verbs. Singular compound nouns containing and also take singular verbs.
EXAMPLES
The clubs secretary and treasurer was Eduardo.
Country and western has become our favorite kind of music.
The bed and breakfast down the street is always reserved weeks in
advance.
2. Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Plural subjects joined
by or or nor take a plural verb.
EXAMPLES
Marcelo or Dona knows the address.
Neither our phone nor our doorbell was working.
Do the Wilsons or the Campbells live there?
Neither the cardinals nor finches come to the birdfeeder.
3. When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb
agrees with the subject nearer the verb.
EXAMPLES
Either Harry or his aunts are planning the activities for the beach
party.
Neither the potatoes nor the roast is done.
SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
1. Collective nouns may be either singular or plural depending on their meaning in a
sentence.
A collective is a noun whose singular form names a group.

army
club
assembly
committee
audience
crowd
band
faculty
swarm
choir
family
team
class
flock

group
herd
jury

school
squad
staff
majority

number
public

troop

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A collective noun is

singular when it refers to the group as a unit

plural when it refers to the individual members or parts of the group
SINGULAR
PLURAL
SINGULAR
PLURAL

The class has met its substitute teacher

The classes were disagreeing with one another about the answers.
The team is on the field.
The team are working together.

2. A verb agrees with its subject but not necessarily with a predicate nominative.
EXAMPLES
The main ingredient in salsa is tomatoes.
Tomatoes are the main ingredient in salsa.
3. When the subjects follow the verb, find the subject and make sure that the verb
agrees with it.
In sentences beginning with here or there and in questions, the subject generally follows the
verb or part of the verb.
EXAMPLES
Here is a set of keys.
Here are the keys.
Do they know the price?
Does he know the price?
NOTE A contraction such as heres, theres, whats, wheres includes the singular verb is or
has. Use such a contraction only when a singular subject follows it.
INCORRECT In an article in this magazine, theres several photos of the construction of
the memorial to Chief Crazy Horse.
CORRECT
In an article in this magazine, there are several photos of the construction
of the memorial to Chief Crazy Horse.
CORRECT
In this magazine, theres an article with several photos of the construction
of the memorial to Chief Crazy Horse.
4. An expression of an amount (a measurement, a percentage, or a fraction, for
example) may be singular or plural, depending on how it is used.
An expression of the amount is
Singular when the amount is thought of as a unit
Plural when the amount is thought of as a separate parts
SINGULAR
PLURAL
SINGULAR
PLURAL
SINGULAR

Two years is a long time. [one time]

Two years (1995 and 1998) were especially rainy. [separate years]
Fifteen dollars was the price. [one price]
Fifteen dollars were torn. [one price]
Fifteen dollars were torn. [separate dollar bills]

A fraction or a percentage is

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singular when it refers to a singular word

plural when it refers to a plural word

SINGULAR Nine tenths [or ninety percent] of the student body is present today. [The fraction,
or the percentage, refers to the singular noun student body.]
PLURAL

Nine tenths [or ninety percent] of the students are present today. [The fraction, or
the percentage, refers to the plural form students]

Generally, a measurement (such as length, weight. capacity, or area) is singular.

EXAMPLES

Nine square feet equals one square yard.

Six hundred kilometers is the distance we traveled today
Three cups of flour is what the recipe requires.

NOTE In the expression the number of, number takes a singular verb. In the expression a
number of, number takes a plural verb.
EXAMPLES

The number of female athletes is growing.

A number of girls like strenuous sports.

5. When the relative pronouns that, which, or who is the subject in an adjective
clause, the verb in the clause agrees with the word to which the relative pronoun
refers.
EXAMPLE

A corps de ballet is a group of ballet dancers that perform together.

[That refers to the plural noun dancers and therefore requires the
plural verb perform.]
The Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, who was part of an art movement
known as de Stijl, was found of the colors red, yellow, and blue. [Who
refers to the singular noun Piet Mondrian and therefore requires the
singular verb was.]

NOTE
When preceded by one of + a plural word, the relative pronoun takes a plural
verb. When preceded by the only one of + a plural word, the relative pronoun takes a
singular verb.
PLURAL

Melba is one of those players who always try their best.

Melba is the only one of those players who always tries her best.

6. A subject preceded by every or many a(n) takes a singular verb.

EXAMPLE
Every parent and grandparent is looking on proudly.
Many a hopeful performer has gone to Broadway in search of fame.
7. The contractions dont and doesnt should agree with their subjects.
Use dont (the contraction of do not) with subject s I and you and with all the
subjects.
EXAMPLES
I dont have any paper.
You dont need special permission.

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The players dont seem nervous.

Use doesnt (the contraction does not) with all singular subjects except I and you.
EXAMPLES
Doesnt it show up in this picture?
The tire doesnt have enough air.
8. Some nouns that are plural in form take singular verbs.
The following nouns take singular verbs:
EXAMPLES

Civics
gymnastics molasses
Economics linguistics
mumps
Electronics
mathematics
News of the concert cancellation is disappointing to the band members.
news
Genetics
physics
Has mathematics always measles
been your best
subject?
Linguistics is the science of language.

NOTE
Many nouns ending in ics, such as acoustics, athletics, ethics, politics, statistics
and tactics, may be singular or plural, depending on how they are used. Generally, such a
noun takes a singular verb when the noun names a science, system, or skill. The noun takes
a plural verb when the noun names qualities, activities, or individual items.
EXAMPLES

Acoustics deals with the transmission of sound.

The acoustics in the new auditorium are excellent.

Some nouns that are plural in form but that refer to single items take plural verbs.

binoculars
eyeglasses
Olympics
slacks
EXAMPLES

pants shears
pliers shorts
scissors

Are the scissors sharp enough?

The pliers seem to be missing.
Your gray slacks are in the laundry.

9. Even when plural in form, the title of a creative work (such as book, song, movie,
or painting) generally takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLES
Majors and Minors is a collection of Paul Laurence Dunbars poetry.
The Gleaners is a famous painting by Jean- Francois Millet.
Four Saints in Three Acts, with music by Virgil Thompson and words
by Gertrude Stein, was first produced in 1934, with an African
American cast.
10. Even when plural in form, the name of a country, a city, or an organization
generally takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLES:
The Solomon Islands has a population of 350,000.
Is Grand Rapids smaller that Detroit?

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DRILLS ON SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

DRILL1. Identify the subject in each of the following sentences. Then, choose the
verb in parentheses that agrees in number with the subject.
1. A heaping basket of turnip greens (was, were) sitting on the counter.
2. The cost of two new tires (was, were) more than I had expected.
3. The community college course on short term courses always (attracts,
attract) many people.
4. The members of the Gordon family (meets, meet) for a reunion every year.
5. The carpeting you saw in the upstairs and downstairs rooms (is, are) going to
be replaced.
6. The turquoise stones in this ring certainly (is, are) pretty.
7. One friend of my brothers (says, say) that I look like Whitney Houston.
8. The package sent by my cousins (was, were) smashed in the mail.
9. Not all the singers who tried out for the school choir (sings, sing) equally well.
10.Bert, not Ann and Laura, (has, have) borrowed the bicycle pump.
DRILL 2.The subjects and verbs in some of the sentences below do not agree. If a
sentence is incorrect, write the correct form of the verb. If the sentence is already
correct, write C.
1. Several of the forwards on the team was commended by the captain.
2. Neither of the coaches were happy with the decision.
3. Each of us are going to make a large poster for the upcoming election.
4. Some of the frozen yogurt have started to melt.
5. Does both of those games require special gear.
6. Either of Mr. Gonzales assistant have approval and can go.
7. None of the buildings were damaged by the hail.
8. None of the food have been frozen.
9. Neither of the book reports were finished on time.
10.Does anyone want to help to bake a cake?
DRILL3. For each of the following sentences, choose the verb in parentheses that
agrees with the subject of the sentence.
1. Neither my older brother Alexander nor my sister Elizabeth (has, have) a car.
2. Marlon and she (is, are) dance champions.
3. Our relatives and yours (is, are) having a barbecue together next Saturday
afternoon.
4. Both Michael and Zina (plays, play) a good game of tennis.
5. Either the director or the actors (is, are) going to have to compromise.
6. Neither the grapes nor the cantaloupe (was, were) ripe enough for us to eat.
7. Both Allan and Reggie (is, are) popular with fans.
8. Our class or theirs (is, are) going to sponsor the barn dance.
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9. Either the faucet or the shower head (leaks, leak).

10.Either a transistor or capacitor (has, have) burned out in this receiver.
DRILL 4. For each of the following sentences, if the subject and verb do not agree,
write the correct form of the verb. Be ready to explain your correction. If the verb
already agrees with the subject, write C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Steven and Maria is the first team to finish.

Theres the boat I told you about.
Both my father and sister wants to see the championship game.
Either the twins or Jamie are playing a practical joke.
How was the swimming and sailing at the beach.
Each of these old photos show your Uncle Samuel wearing a colorful, flowing
dashiki.
7. Neither the windows nor the door is locked.
8. Contemporary rock-and-roll are rooted in ancient rhythms.
9. Theres several football games on television on Sunday.
10.Wheres my socks.
DRILL 5. For each of the following sentences, if the subject and verb do not agree,
write the correct form of the verb. If the verb already agrees with the subject, write
C.
1. Many a sophomore and junior are participating.
2. Every take off and landing are cleared with the control power.
3. Two thirds of my research paper have been typed.
4. Emilio has cousins who raise tropical fish.
5. Eight pounds were the babys weight at birth.
6. Forty-eight percent of the seniors is planning to go to college.
7. Egypt is one of the nations that borders the Red Sea.
8. Sylvia knows some people who owns a condominium units in the city.
9. Fifteen dollars is all we have raised so far.
10.Pluto is the only one of the planets that cross the orbit of another planet in
our solar system.
DRILL 6. Choose the correct form of the verb given in parentheses in each
sentences.
1. Nguyen, along with her family, (has, have) invited me to the Vietnamese
National Day celebration in the park.
2. They (wasnt, werent) interested in learning how to play the accordion.
3. Carlos, not Martha and John, (was, were) answering all the letters.
4. Many of them (has, have) already read the novel.
5. The Birds (was, were) one of Alfred Hitchcocks great movies.
6. (Doesnt, Dont) Chuck intend to join the Air Force when he graduates?
7. Caroline, like most of her classmates, (wishes, wish) vacation could last
forever.
8. There (is, are) some good programs on educational television.
9. Neither of those books by Naguib Mahfouz (is, are) on our reading list.
10.The shears (doesnt, dont) need sharpening.
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AGREEMENT OF PRONOUN AND ANTECEDENT

The noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent.
A pronoun should agree in both number and gender with its antecedent.
(1) Use singular pronouns to refer to singular antecedents. Use plural pronouns
to refer to plural antecedents.
SINGULAR Richard Strauss composed many operas. Der Rosenkavalier is
perhaps his most famous.
PLURAL
The mountain climbers believe that they will reach the
summit by Friday.
(2) Some singular pronouns indicate gender masculine, feminine, or neuter
(neither masculine or feminine)
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter

he
she
it

him
her
it

his
himself
hers herself
its
itself

EXAMPLES Does Margaret

like her dance class?
Arthur is doing his homework.
Because the car wouldnt start, it had to be towed.
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Indefinite pronouns agree with their antecedents according to the
following rules:
(1)The indefinite pronouns anybody, anyone, anything, each, either,
everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing,
one, somebody, someone, and something are singular.
Notice that the use of the phrase or a clause after the antecedent does not
change the number of the antecedent.
EXAMPLES Each of the teams had its mascot at the game.
One of the boys left his pen behind.
Everybody in the girls league has paid her dues.
When you do not know the gender of the antecedent, use both the masculine
and the feminine pronoun forms, connected by or.
EXAMPLES

Someone left his or her pen.

Everybody in the club has paid his or her dues.

(2)The indefinite pronouns both, few, many, and several are plural.
EXAMPLES Both of the candidates stated their positions on the issue.
Many of the actors already know their lines.
(3)The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some may be
singular or plural, depending on how they are used in the sentence.
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Each of these pronouns is singular when it refers to a singular word and is

plural when it refers to a plural word.
SINGULAR Most of this money belongs to Ms. Hyatt. Would you take it to
her, please? [It is used because Most refers to the singular noun
money.]
PLURAL
Most of these coins are rare, but I dont know what they are
worth. [They is used because Most refers to the plural noun
coins.]
COMPOUND ANTECEDENTS
Pronouns agree with compound antecedents according to the
following rules:
(1)Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined
by and.
EXAMPLE
The guard and the ranger wrapped their rain ponchos in
their saddle rolls.
NOTE Antecedents joined by and that name only one person, place,
thing, or idea take singular pronouns
EXAMPLE For dinner, Im preparing liver and onions. I think youll enjoy it.
(2) Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular
antecedents joined by or or nor.
EXAMPLE Neither Heidi nor Beth took her umbrella with her.
Using a pronoun to refer to antecedents of different number may
create an unclear or awkward sentence.
UNCLEARNeither the parrots nor the macaw has eaten its fruits. [Its
agrees with the nearest antecedent, macaw, but the sentence is
unclear. Does it mean that one of the birds has eaten their own
fruit, that the parrots have not eaten the macaws fruit, or that
the macaw has not eaten its own fruit?]
Neither the macaw nor the parrots have eaten their fruit. [Their
agrees with the nearest antecedent, parrots, but the sentence is
unclear. Does it mean that none of the birds have eaten their
own fruit, that the parrots have not eaten their own fruit, or that
the macaw has not eaten the parrots fruit.]
AWKWARD Neither the macaw nor the parrots have eaten its or their
own fruit.
It is best to revise sentences to avoid unclear and awkward
constructions like the ones above.
REVISED

Neither the macaw nor the parrots have eaten the fruit.
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None of the birds have eaten their fruit.

jjpd

SPECIAL PROBLEMS WITH PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

A collective noun is singular when the noun refers to a group as a unit and
plural when the noun refers to the individual members or part of the
group.
SINGULAR
PLURAL

The orchestra was looking forward to performing its rendition of

Beethovens Pastoral Symphony. [It is used because the orchestra
would perform the rendition as a unit.]
The orchestra were tuning their instrument when the conductor
arrived. [There is used because the members of the orchestra were
tuning separate instruments.

An expression of an amount (a measurement, a percentage, or a fraction,

for example) may take singular or plural pronoun, depending on how it is
used.
An expression of an amount is
singular when the amount is used of as a unit
plural when the amount is thought of as separate parts.
SINGULAR
PLURAL

Two days is a long time. It could seem like forever. [one time]
Two days (Monday and Friday) were especially cold and rainy. They
were so wet that baseball practice was cancelled. [two separate days]

INGULAR
PLURAL

Five dollars was the price. I had it in my pocket. [one price]

Five dollars were torn. The vending machine would not accept them.

A fraction or

SINGULAR

percentage is
singular when it refers to a singular word
plural when it refers to a plural word
Nine tenths [or ninety percent] of the colony has returned to its
usual routine. [The fraction, or the percentage, refers to the singular
noun colony.]
Three tenths [or thirty percent] of the ants have returned to their
usual routines. [The fraction, or the percentage, refers to the plural
word ants.]

PLURAL

Generally, a measurement (such as length, weight, capacity, or area) is singular.

EXAMPLES Nine square feet equals one square yard. This is how much material
you will need.
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Six hundred kilometers is the distance we traveled today. How far is

that in miles?
Some nouns that are plural in form take singular pronouns.
The following nouns take singular pronouns
civics

economics mathematics
mumps
economics gymnastics measles
news
electronics linguistics
molasses
physics
EXAMPLE

I have good news. Would you like to hear it?

NOTE. Many nouns ending in ics, such as acoustics, statistics, and tactics may
take singular or plural pronouns, depending on how the nouns are used. Generally,
when such a noun names a science, system, or skill, the noun takes a singular
pronoun. When the noun names qualities, activities or individual items, the noun
takes a plural pronoun.
SINGULAR
PLURAL

The colonel explained tactics and how it differs from strategy.

The colonel outlined the tactics, and the general approved them.

Some nouns that are plural in form but that refer to single items take plural
pronouns.
binoculars
Olympics
pliers
EXAMPLE

shears
slacks
eyeglasses

pants
scissors
shorts

Marissa is looking for the scissors. Do you know where they are?

Even when plural in form, the title of the creative work (such as a book,
song, movie, or painting) or the name of a country, a city, or an
organization generally takes a singular pronoun.
EXAMPLES
Kawabata.

Have you read Thousand Cranes? It was written by Yasunari

My all-time favorite film is Dance with Wolves. One of its principal
characters is played by the Canadian actor Graham Greene.
When we visited the Philippines, we spent most of our time on its
chief island, Luzon.
I grew up near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Its claim to fame is its popular
health resort.
Have you gone to Sir Books-A- lot? It may have a copy of the book
you need.

NOTE The names of some teams, though plural in form, may take singular or plural
pronouns. When the name refers to the organization as a unit, use a singular
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pronoun. When the name refers to the members of the organization, use a plural
pronoun.
SINGULAR
PLURAL

The St. Louis Cardinals won its first World Series title in 1926. [Its is
used because the St Louis Cardinals won as a unit.]
Signing autographs, the St Louis Cardinals thanked their fans for
supporting them throughout the season. [Their and them are used
because the individual players signed autographs and thanked the
fans.

The number of relative pronoun (such as that, which, or who) is

determined by the number of its antecedent.
SINGULAR
PLURAL

Jessica, who always takes pride in her work, has been appointed
editor of the school yearbook. [Who is singular because it refers to the
singular noun Jessica. Her is used to agree with who.]
All who want to volunteer for the yearbook staff should raise their
hands. [Who is plural because it refers to the plural pronoun All. Their
is used to agree with who.]

jjpd

DRILLS ON AGREEMENT OF PRONOUN AND ANTECEDENT

DRILL 1. Choosing Pronouns That Agree with their Antecedent
For the blanks in the following sentences, choose pronouns that agree with their
antecedents.
1. If I dont pack the binoculars now; Ill forget _______.
2. Im looking for someone on the boys swimming team who has parked _____
car in my space.
3. They have twelve dollars; is _____ enough?
4. Did the team scrimmage with _____ arch-rival?
5. Two thirds of the crew members have already had _____ turns standing watch.
6. The Millers and the Doyles had ______ windows broken by the hail last night.
7. All the art class buy _____ own paper.
8. I could buy a bag of peanuts for sixty cents if I had _____ in correct change.
9. Either Steve or Mike will lend me _____ fishing gear.
10.The eyeglasses broke when ______ were dropped.
DRILL 2. Making pronouns Agree with Their Antecedents
Most of the following sentences contain pronouns that do not agree with their
antecedents. If any pronoun does not agree with its antecedent, supply the correct
pronoun or pronouns. If all the pronouns in a sentence agree with their antecedents,
write C.
1. All of these students at the Royal School of Dance in College Park, Florida,
are learning traditional dances that come from her African Heritage.
2. Some of the African and Caribbean dances have its roots in African folk
tales.
3. At performances the members of the audience are often seen clapping its
hands and swaying along with the music.
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4. Before the last dance recital, I noticed either Carla or Shana practicing
their steps.
5. Carla is one of those students who always know their steps ahead of time.
6. Angeli and Pamela moved her arms gracefully during the first dance.
7. Every authentic costume adds their color and movement to the dramatic
spectacle.
8. Each of the girls brings their personal style to the dances.
9. Many contemporary dancers and singers give a great deal of credit to the
traditional sources of their art forms.
10.Both the hip-hop dancing and their clothing style have its origin in ancient
African culture.
EVALUATION
A. Identifying Subject-Verb Agreement
For each sentence, write the verb in parentheses that agrees with its subject.
1. Either the dog or the cat (get, gets) the party leftovers.
2. There (is, are) four that almost any gardener can grow: basil, thyme,
marjoram, and oregano.
3. All of these old letters (was, were) tied with ribbon and stored in a trunk in
the attic.
4. Each of them (is, are) penned in bold, flowing handwriting.
5. Both Alicia and Isabel (thinks, think) that the former owner of the house
put the letters in the attic.
6. Two thirds of the electorate (was, were) at the polls in the last election.
7. Neither potatoes nor peanuts (is, are) grown on this farm anymore.
8. Is it true that Troilus and Cressida (is, are) by Shakespeare?
9. Here (is, are) the latest scores of todays basketball games.
10.Most of the children on the island (was, were) not able to read very well.
11.Dont you think that five miles (is, are) too far to walk tonight?
12.A cool spring near the cottages (supply, supplies) them with water.
13.Politics (is, are) a popular topic of conversation during an election year.
14.Every man, woman, and child (was, were) frightened by the earthquake.
15.Neither of them (know, knows) for sure who wrote the message.
16.The jury (has, have) returned a verdict.
17.On the supervisors (rest, rests) the responsibility for implementing safe
procedures.
18.The two songs we played at the Independence Day concert (was, were)
written by Carly Simon.
19.There (has, have) been many visitors on the fairground today.
20.Everybody in the theater (was, were) thrilled by the rescue scene.
B. Choosing Pronouns That Agree with Their Antecedents
Provide personal pronouns to complete the following sentences correctly.
21.Either my sister Lavinia or my friend Millicent will let me borrow _____
camping equipment.
22.I looked in the cupboard for the scissors, but I couldnt find ______.
23.Three of the cars had _____ windows broken by thieves last night.
24.Not long ago, I saw Romeo and Juliet; have seen _____?
25.Im looking for Stan and Joel ; do you know _____?
26.We visited Honduras and spent three days in _______ capital, Tegucigalpa.
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27.Mothers Against Drug Driving has _____ meeting in the conference room
tonight.
28.Three quarters of the citys voters cast ______ ballots.
29.I need fifty cents; could you ______ to me.
30.The sunglasses had stains on _____ lenses.
C. Identifying Subject-Verb Agreement and Pronoun- Antecedent Agreement
In most of the following sentences, either a verb does not agree with its
subject or a pronoun does not agree with its antecedent. Revise each
incorrect sentence to correct the error. If the sentence is already correct,
write C.
31.The meeting go out of hand when the discussion period began because
everyone tried to express their opinion at the same time.
32.There on the corner of your desk are the package of books that I returned
and that you claimed you never received.
33.Two students from each class is going to the state capital a special
conference on education.
34.Each of them are expected to bring back a report on the conference so
that classmates can get firsthand information.
35.Since they will be on vacation next month, neither Miguel nor his sister are
going to enter the mixed-double tournament.
36.The audience express their admiration for the dancers grace and skill by
applauding wildly.
37.After the senator had read the proposed amendment, anyone who
disagreed with the ruling was allowed to state their reason.
38.This collection of old Italian folk tales demonstrate the wisdom, humor,
and creativity of my ancestors.
39.She is one of those competitive people who perform best under pressure.
40.Since neither of you have ever tasted plantains, my mother has invited
you to eat a Cuban meal at our house tonight.

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