Chapter 18 Agreement
Subject-Verb, Pronoun-Antecedent
Singular and Plural Number
•	If the subject refers to one thing, then the verb and pronoun are singular.
•	One of the soldiers was not wearing his helmet.
•	If the subject refers to more than one thing, then the verb and pronoun are plural.
•	Several of the soldiers were wearing their helmets.
A Verb Agrees With its Subject
•	Singular subjects take singular verbs:
•	Marcia attends college, but Lara goes to work.
•	Plural subjects take plural verbs:
•	Marcia and Brian attend college, but Lara and Wesley go to work.
Some key hints and clues:
•	Nouns ending in s are plural:  dogs, cats
•	Verbs ending in s are singular: he gives, they give.
•	The subject is not in the prepositional phrase: 
•	One of the women was singing.
•	Women from the senate were in the room.
More key hints and clues:
•	Ignore the words between the commas when trying to figure out whether the subject is singular or plural:
•	Tammy, along with her mother, is going to the mall to go Holiday shopping.
•	Jack’s imagination, as well as his sense of humor, was delightful.

Singular Pronouns take Single Verbs
•	Each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular pronouns.
•	Neither was sure of the answer, so he guessed.
•	Everyone is going to the beach in his or her car.
•	Nobody drives after drinking her beverage.
•	Each of the groups had its designated driver.
(p. 450)
Plural Pronouns take plural verbs
•	Several, Few, Both, Many.
•	Several of the players were girls.
•	Many of the boys think they are better.
•	Both of the teams are co-ed.
•	A few of the players have complained.
•	Every or many a before a word or series of words is followed by a singular verb.
•	Every mother, father, and grandparent is looking proudly.  Many a hopeful performer has gone to Broadway in search of fame and fortune.
Singular or Plural Pronouns
•	Some, all, any, most, none.
•	Look at the word in the prepositional phrase:
•	Most of the day was already gone. [day is singular]
•	Most of the steers were grazing. [steers is plural]
•	None of the students have finished.
Singular or Plural Pronouns
•	Or re-word the sentence:
•	Has any of the shipment arrived?
•	The shipment has arrived.
•	Have any of the coins been spent?
•	The coins have been spent.
The Compound Subject
•	Subjects joined by and take a plural verb and pronoun.
•	Paul and Suzi like hiking to their tree.
•	The dog and cat sleep in their pet beds.
•	Subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb and pronoun.
•	Neither Mark nor Dan knows his number.
•	Does either mother or Sally have her key?
Singular and Plural Subjects
•	When a singular and plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
•	Either Jeff or his brothers were going surfing.
•	Either his brothers or Jeff was going surfing.
•	Neither the turkey nor the pies seem done.
•	Neither the pies nor the turkey seems done.
Collective Nouns (p. 455)
•	Collective Nouns are groups of things.
•	Singular: if thought of as a unit.
•	Plural: if thought of as individuals acting separately.
•	The class has a substitute teacher.
•	The class were arguing among themselves.
•	Army, audience, choir, class, faculty, team

Here and there
•	Here and there are not the subject of your sentence.
•	Place the here and there at the end and rewrite the sentence to find the subject.
•	Here are the brushes you need.
•	The brushes you need are here.
•	Don’t be fooled by here’s and there’s.
Amounts
•	Words stating amount are usually singular.
•	Two years is a long time.
•	Fifty cents was the price of the candy.
•	Unless the sentence indicates the amount is a collection of individual parts.
•	Sixty short minutes fly by.
•	Three quarters were in my pocket.
Titles and Don’t / Doesn’t
•	Titles are singular and take a singular verb:
•	Majors and Minors is a collection of poetry.
•	I, you, they:  use don’t
•	I don’t need any paper.
•	They don’t feel nervous.
•	He, she, singular subjects: use doesn’t
•	He doesn’t like brussel sprouts.
Pronoun and Antecedent
•	A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in gender (masculine, feminine, neutral) and number.
•	The stallion reared up and shook his head.
•	The mare kicked up her hooves.
•	The car engine whirred, but it did not start.
•	The riders brushed their horses.
Relative Pronouns
•	The number of the relative pronoun (who, which, that) is determined by the number of its antecedent.
•	Anyone who wants to volunteer should raise his hand.
•	Patty is one of those girls who are always gossiping behind their friends’ backs.
Exercises are due Wednesday
•	Ex. 3 (1-10)
•	Ex. 5 (1-10)
•	Ex. 8 (1-10)
•	Ex. 11 (1-10)
•	Exs. 12 & 13 (1-5)
•	Ex. 14 (1-10)