Begin Information Unit 5 Exercises 1-

Subject Verb Agreement

Rule 1 1. A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb2. The third person singular always has an s 3. A prepositional phrase that interrupts the subject and the predicate does not affect the

verb. Only the subject of the sentence controls the verb.

Unit 5 Rule 1 Exercise 11. Mary, Jane, and Elizabeth (A. plays B. play) the piano.2. The girls (A. have B. has) no money.3. Across the lake (A. speed B. speeds) the motorboat.4. Your aunt and uncle (A. wants B. want) you to go with them.5. A box of peaches (A. was B. were) in the cooler.6. The books (A. was B. were) displayed at the Hudson book Fair.7. In one album (A. is B. are) good pictures of Mount Vernon.8. The truck with several boxes of oranges and apples (A. was B. were) traveling at high

speed.9. John with his two brothers (A. have B. has) won several wrestling trophies.10. Albert with his friends (A. expects B. expect) to receive an A for effort.11. A shelf of books (A. has B. have) broken during the night.12. The men (A. have B. has) left.13. My mother often (A. goes B. go) to the museum.14. The box of crayons (A. was B. were) purchased for my cousin.15. Marilyn (A. has b. have) finished writing the letter.16. Leon (A. has B. have) earned his baseball letter.17. The only good explanation (A. was B.were) given by my math teacher.18. The old books in the attic (A. was B.were) finally thrown away.19. The miners in that old mine (A. has B. have) had many narrow escapes.20. The climate of both countries (A. is B. are) mild.21. A carton of grapefruit (A. was B. were) shipped from Florida.22. The pages in that book (A. has B. have) been torn.23. Mike (A. leave B. leaves) for soccer practice at four.24. The bouquet of flowers (A. was B. were) given to my mother.25. Jim (A. has B. have) bought several lottery tickets.

Unit 5 Rule 1 Exercise 21. It was the Crain family that (was, were) supposed to bring the ice and chicken.2. The paper plates, napkins, and coleslaw (was, were) brought o the picnic by the Sungs.3. Honesty and integrity (was, were) just two of Abraham Lincoln’s most famous

characteristics.4. The teacher as well as the students (is, are) required to attend the assembly.5. The wind always (makes, make) the screen door rattle during the summer.

6. The keys to our house (is, are) on a ring just inside the garage.7. The geese (migrates, migrate) north every year at this time.8. My friends never (knows, know) what I will do next.9. A famous painting of those trees and windmills (hangs, hang) in the art museum.10. The parents of my best friend (has, have) invited me to the ballet.11. The silence (was, were) deafening after the prosecution rested its case.12. The secret of her many successes (lies, lie) in her diligence.13. Red roses on a white wooden trellis (blooms, bloom) in my aunt’s lovely garden.14. The child with two sets of grandparents (enjoys, enjoy) the attention of many doting

adults.15. The eggplants in our garden (is, are) particularly large this summer.16. The children in this photograph (look, looks) uncomfortable.17. The lace on these dresses (was, were) handmade.18. The newspapers in this collection (dates, date) back to the Revolutionary War.19. An acre of trees and meadows (surrounds, surround) the little church.20. The numbers next to the lines on this map (indicates, indicate) the number of miles

between each interchange.21. The guests at the meeting (is, are) wearing the name tags.22. The handwriting in these bills and letters (seems, seem) to belong to the same person.

Unit 5 Rule 1 Exercise 3 1. This poster of ancient coins (show, shows) the portraits of all the Roman emperors.2. The cleaners promised that his trousers (was, were) going to be cleaned, pressed, and

delivered in time for the award ceremony.3. A report for one of my history classes (is, are) about Elizabeth Keckly, an African

American who became the dressmaker for and confidante of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

4. Keckley in her early years (was, were) enslaved in Virginia.5. A daughter of her owners (was, were) fond of Keckley and brought her to live with her in

St. Louis.6. Keckley’s talents in the art of dressmaking (was, were) so considerable that she was able

to help support the family of her owner.7. In 1855 Keckley, with the help of loans from her customers, (was, were) able to purchase

her freedom.8. To me, Keckley’s irrepressible longings for freedom and dignity (seems, seem)

extraordinary.9. Keckley’s faith in herself and in her abilities (was, were) rewarded, for she moved to

Washington, D.C., and became the dressmaker of president Lincoln’s wife.10. Keckley, as a personal friend of the Lincolns, (was, were) privy to many family matters at

the White house.11. Her opinions about the White House (was, were) published in 1868 in a book entitled

Behind the Scenes.12. The success of this determined woman (continues, continue) to inspire people today.13. Water, in addition to food, (is, are) essential on a camping trip.14. Rain, accompanied by wind and thunder, (is, are) predicted for tomorrow.15. The movie, together with the book, (tell, tells) a compelling story.

16. John Cabot’s life, as well as his voyages, (is, are) somewhat of a mystery to historians.17. John Cabot, as well as his son Sebastian, (was, were) sent to explore the Americas.18. Before Columbus’s voyage, John Cabot, plus other navigators, (was, were) planning a

westward voyage to Asia.19. John, accompanied by 18 men, (was, were) scheduled to sail from England in 1497.20. Five ships in the royal fleet, in addition to John’s ship, (was, were) prepared to leave on a

second voyage in 1498.21. A crew mutiny, together with a lack of supplies, (appears, appear) to have doomed the

voyage.22. In 1525, Sebastian Cabot, accompanied by three Spanish vessels, (was, were) expected to

develop trade with the Orient.23. However, Cabot, as well as all his men, (was, were) diverted by news of great wealth in

South America.24. Unfortunately, three years, plus tremendous effort, (was, were) wasted, and Cabot was

blamed for the failed expedition.25. Sebastian Cabot, as well as his father, never (seem, seems) to have attained his

exploration goals.26. Hebrew, together with Arabic, (is, are) spoken in Israel.27. Yiddish, in addition to Hebrew, (is, are) the language of some Israeli authors.28. The German language, plus the Hebrew alphabet and some Slavic words, (form, forms)

the basis of Yiddish.29. Jewish traditions from Eastern Europe, as well as the Jewish culture of the Mediterranean

countries, (has, have) influenced the manner in which Hebrew is pronounced.30. The chief difference between Eastern European (Ashkenazi) and Mediterranean

(Sephardic) Hebrew, in addition to the sound of certain vowels, (lie, lies) in the way some words are pronounced.

31. Hebrew, as well as Arabic, (is, are) a Semitic language.32. This pair of languages, together with Aramaic, (has, have) common roots.33. Ancient Egyptians, plus several modern Ethiopian tongues, (is, are) distantly related t the

Semitic languages.34. The Hebrew alphabet, unlike the English alphabet, (includes, include) only consonants.35. The letters of the alphabet, together with symbols used to indicate the vowels, (form,

forms) words that can be sounded out phonetically.

Rule 2 ( or, nor) Rule 2: The verb always agrees with the noun that follows the or or the nor.

Unit 5 Rule 2 Exercise 41. Jane or the twins (A. has B. have) the book.2. A bus of several fans (A. is B. are) available for transportation to the game.3. Jane or Kathy (A. wants B. want) that sweater.4. My brother or my sisters (A. has B. have) tickets for the concert.5. Phil or his cousins (A. opens B. open) the main office each morning.6. The school counselor or the teacher (A. is B. are) responsible for the classroom conduct.7. The twins or my brother (A. is B. are) going to the game.8. A grapefruit or an orange (A. provides B. provide) good vitamin C.

9. Bill or Bob (A. is B. are) in charge of the decorations for the dance.10. The fathers or the mothers (A. is B. are) invited to the school conference on parenting.11. (Wasn’t Weren’t) Jen or George supposed to help you clean?12. Neither he nor she (is, are) strong enough to lift the barbell.13. Neither one of them (is, are) qualified to make that decision.14. Either Alice or Mike (is, are) going to help us.15. Neither the students nor their home economics teacher (is, are) for the two of us in the

school auditorium.16. Neither the home economics teacher nor the students (is, are) waiting for the two of us in

the school auditorium.17. Either Mary or John (is, are) going in my place.18. Neither Kate nor her parents (has, have) ever met anyone as eccentric as Ace.19. Either Joanna or Howard (takes, take) the children to school each day.20. Neither the hat on that shelf nor the scarves on this one (belongs, belong) in a shop like

yours.21. Either the kittens or the dachshund (has, have) frightened the baby.22. Fred or his brothers (watches, watch) the store at lunchtime.23. Neither Emily nor Marian (knows, know) how to get to the library.24. I suspect that either the maids or the butler (is, are) not telling the inspector the whole

truth.25. Either Sam or Lena (drives, drive) the car here each day.26. I will go, even though neither Leslie nor Bill (is, are) going.27. Either potatoes or corn (tastes, taste) good with chicken.28. Neither the front door nor the windows (has been, have been) locked.29. Neither the texture nor the colors of this fabric (goes, go) well with that hat.30. Neither the play nor the two movie versions (captures, capture) the flavor of the original

book.31. Neither the subway system nor the bus routes (serves, serve) that part of town.32. Neither Meg nor Elsa (wants, want) to go to the museum.33. Neither greeting cards nor wrapping paper (is, are) sold in this store.34. Either one book or a few articles (is, are) sufficient background for this report.

Rule 3 (There)a. There is never the subject of a sentence.b. There is often used in the subject position.c. When there designates place (where), it is used as an adverb.

Your train is there. (adverb)d. When there is used merely for sentence variety or to fill out the sentence, it is

called an expletive.

Rule 4 (Here)a. Here is never the subject of the sentence.

Here are the pictures of your prom. The pictures of your prom are here (adverb)

b. Here is generally an adverb. Here is the news.

The news is here. (adverb)

Rule 5 (Contractions There’s, Here’s)The contractions there’s (there is) and here’s (here is) always take a singular subject.There’s a box in the corner.A box is there in the corner.Here’s your lunch.Your lunch is here.

Unit 5 Rules 3 4 and 5 Exercise 5 Underline the subjects in the following sentences.1. There were several reasons for his actions.2. Here is your new assignment.3. There is a notice of dismissal in your mailbox.4. There’s nothing in the box.5. Here’s your apple.6. There’s no reason for such conduct.7. Here are your mother’s instructions.8. There’s no point to this argument.9. Here’s my excuse.10. There’s his blue sweater.

Unit 5 Rules 3 4 and 5 Exercise 6 (There, Here)

Directions. Write the subject and then the proper verb.1. There (is, are) disagreements among the committee members.2. There (is, are) three ways to improve your golf score: take lessons, practice a lot, or

cheat.3. There (is, are) a camper on the mountain.4. There (is, are) campers on the mountain.5. Here (is, are) the CD you left at my house yesterday.6. Here (is, are) the books that you ordered from the book club.7. Here (come, comes) the last runner.8. Here (come, comes) the last two runners.9. There (is, are) more to their stories than either witness (is, are) willing to say.10. There (is, are) a number of homeless cats at the Humane Society.11. There in the distance (was, were) the remains of the ghost town.12. In many a rock musician (beats, beat) the heart of a blues musician from the region of the

United States known as the Mississippi Delta13. There (was, were) a dozen or more influential blues musicians born in the Mississippi

Delta in the first two decades of this century.14. In the group work songs of cotton-field workers (lies, lie) the roots of the Delta blues.15. On the plantations of the Delta (was, were) heard the music of Robert Johnson, Muddy

Waters, and John Lee Hooker, among others.16. (Do, Does) these names seem familiar to you?17. Unfortunately, there (is, are) few recordings of the very early musical pieces of some of

these blues artists.

18. There (was, were) several musicians who carried the blues north, especially to Chicago, in the 1940’s and 1950’s.

19. (Was, Were) blues singers Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters performing in Chicago then?

20. In the blues (lives, live) a sense of hope, strength, and survival.21. In the debt of Delta blues musicians (is, are) artists as diverse as the Rolling Stones,

Robert Cray, and Whitney Houston.

Unit 5 Rules 3 4 and 5 Exercise 7 (inverted order)1. (Do, Does) that eagle live in the mountains?2. (Do, Does) those mountains contain eagles?3. (Is, Are) the tent pitched in the right place?4. (Is, Are) the tents pitched in the right place?5. Near the trees (sleeps, sleep) the camper.6. Around the corner (is, are) several fresh footprints in the cement.7. Where in your desk (is, are) your yellow pencil?8. Beyond this town and across the river (looms, loom) the Empire State Building.9. Here (is, are) the letter I mentioned to you.10. Why (is, are) all three outfielders looking the wrong way?11. There (is, are) many possible reasons for their behavior.12. Crawling behind the sofa (was, were) two loudly giggling children.13. Here in this box (is, are) several toys from my childhood.14. How often (does, do) he manage to take a break from his responsibilities?15. How silently and softly (falls, fall) the rain.16. There (is, are) no excuse for such table manners.17. How (has, have) she learned my name?18. Which recorded (has, have) Heather brought with her?19. There (is, are) many reasons for building a new wing onto the school.20. “Where (is, are) my three fiddlers?” cried Old King Cole.21. How many times (has, have) Martin filled his plate?22. Here (is, are) the stamps from Portugal.23. The experts say there (is, are) hope for the economy next year.24. Here in this room (lie, lies) the solution to the mystery.25. Why (has, have) he called me so late in the evening?26. There (was, were) three ducks on the lake.

Rule 6 (linking verb)A linking verb must agree with its subject regardless of the number of its complements.

Rule 7 (Compound subject, and ) A compound subject joined by and usually takes a plural verb.EXCEPTIONS- If the parts of a compound subject are thought of as one item, then a singular verb is needed.Bacon and Eggs, Mac and Cheese, Ham and Cheese,

Rule 8 (collective nouns)a. Collective nouns name a group.b. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group is acting as one, not

individually. My family disagrees with my decision. c. A collective noun takes a plural verb when each member of the group acts

individually. My family are working in four kinds of jobs: secretary, lawyer, judge and teacher.The jury take takes their seats.

Unit 5 Exercise 8 Write down the correct choice.1. The team (A. is B. are) arguing among themselves.2. The jury (A. renders B. render) its decision3. The faculty (A. votes B. vote) for their representatives.4. Our class (A. is B. are) sponsoring a dance.5. The jury (A. is B. are) leaving their seats6. The team (A. is B. are) listening to the coach’s pep talk.7. The cast of the play (A. is B. are) rehearsing their lines.8. The biology class (A. is B. are) going on a field trip.9. The committee (A. is B. are) taking their seats.10. The school council (A. is B. are) going to the convention.

Unit 5 Exercise 9 (Linking, compound, collective) 1. The majority (wants, want) to see the Old City in East Jerusalem before viewing

the more modern West Jerusalem.2. The family (goes, go) off in opposite directions to see different parts of the city.3. The group (learns, learn) many facts about Jerusalem from the tour guide.4. The construction crew (is, are) continuing work on the new bridge.5. The counseling committee (was, were) providing new services for students.6. The rescue squad along with several police cars (was, were) at the scene of the

accident almost immediately.7. The crowd, (grows, grow) restless before the musicians appear.8. The clean-up committee (tries, try) to keep the sidewalks clean.9. The squadron of planes (soar, soars).10. The squadron (lands land) one at a time.11. The crowd (cheer, cheers).12. The crowd (rush, rushes) to find their seats.13. The team (was, were) victorious in the state finals.14. The audience (is, are) expressing their opinions about the play.15. While watching the sword game called kendo, a crowd of American spectators (is,

are) apt to wonder at the significance of the stylized gestures.16. Now a family of five (presents, present) individual demonstrations of kyudo, or

Japanese archery.17. The whole family (has, have) extraordinary poise and skill.

18. A congregation of Christian pilgrims (gathers, gather) outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

19. The group (disagrees, disagree) over what to do the next day.20. The crows in the souks, or markets, (is, are) definitely another sight worth seeing

in the Old City.21. The throng in the narrow streets (buys, buy) souvenirs in the small, dark shops.22. The tour group also (enjoys, enjoy) viewing the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.23. The last course (was, were) strawberries with cram.24. The main courses for the dinner (was, were) a selection of fish dishes.25. Baskets of flowers (was, were) the decoration at the banquet.26. My favorite part of musicals (is, are) the duets.27. For many people the joys of the circus (is, are) a pleasure that they never outgrow.28. Circuses (remains, remain) a popular form of entertainment in many countries.29. The circuses of Ancient Rome (was, were) actually a group of chariot races

performed in a ring.30. Perhaps the first of the modern circuses (was, were) a one-ring show by Philip

Astley, an eighteenth-century horse trainer.31. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, circus performers (was, were) the elite

among popular entertainers.32. The most exotic part of all circuses (is, are) the wild animals.33. The feats of an acrobat or a trapeze artist (seems, seem) an impossibility to most

of us.34. A clown’s acrobatic leaps (appears, appear) an easy trick, but in fact they are

quite difficult to perform.35. The strains of the calliope (is, are) a joyous sound, don’t you think?36. To me, an irresistible temptation (is, are) the aromas of popcorn and roasted

peanuts.37. The forked tongue of the lizard and the snake (is, are) used to smell.38. The cup and the glass (is, are) broken.39. The cups and glasses (is, are) broken40. Three cups and one glass (is, are) broken.41. Cucumbers and yogurt (is, are) a popular Middle Eastern dish.42. Every cup and glass (is, are) broken.43. Each cup and glass (is, are) broken44. Clock and sundials (measure, measure) time.45. Cake and pie (is, are) Murray’s favorite desserts.46. The gingham dog and the calico cat (does, do) not get along with each other.47. The decorations and the centerpiece (was, were) beautiful.48. Every book and record in this library (shows, show) signs of wear.49. On this issue congress and the President (finds, find) the present law to be

inadequate.50. Macaroni and cheese (was, were) served last night.51. Each sheet and pillowcase in our hotel (is, are) freshly laundered every day.52. Every student and teacher in this school (knows, know) what must be done to

improve class attendance.

53. The horse and the mule (was, were) once the major means of transportation in this country.

54. Pens and pencils (was, were) poised to write.55. Peanut butter and jelly (is, are) my favorite combination for sandwiches.56. The books and magazines on the shelf (was, were) out of order.57. Every boot, shoe, and belt in that store (is, are) made of leather.58. Cherry pie and apple strudel (was, were) our choices.59. A prince and princess always (lives, live) happily ever after.60. Each folder and packet in the files (was, were) labeled.61. Ducks and geese usually (stops, stop) at this park on their way south.62. Every worker and manager in our plants (offers, offer) suggestions for

improvements.63. The shops and department stores in this mall (is, are) paying more rent this year

than ever before.

Rule 9 (depend on prepositional phrase)Fractions, plenty, majority, remainder, rest, abundance, and portion can be singular or plural depending on the prepositional phrase that modifies them.Two-thirds of the pie was eaten.Two thirds of the pies were eaten.

Unit 5 Exercise 101. The rest of the material (A. has B. have) been ruined.2. The remainder of the fruit (A. was B. were) eaten.3. One-fourth of the oranges (A. has B. have) been shipped.4. Plenty of jobs (A. is B. are) still needed.5. The rest of the material (A. is B. are) up for grabs.6. The remainder of the work (A. was B. were) done by the committee7. An abundance of apples (A. was B. were) ruined by water.8. A portion of oatmeal (A. was B.were) given to each child.9. Two-thirds of the paper (A. was B. were) ruined by water.10. There (A. is B. are) plenty of books on display.

Rule 10 (money and time)When money or time has a plural subject, but indicates a single amount, the verb is singular. When individual units are considered, the verb must be plural. Five dollars is the price of tickets to the game. Five dollars are lying on the table. Ten minutes is too long to wait. Twenty minutes are generally wasted each day.

Rule 11 (a number vs the number)If a number is the subject, the verb is plural.If the number is the subject, the verb is singular

Examples A number of boys were already in the room.The number of boys at the meeting was indefiniteA number of desks need varnishing.The number of desks needs varnishing.

Rule 12 (End in S but is always singular.Civics, economics, mathematics, aeronautics, measles, mumps, molasses and news are always singular because they refer to one thing.

Rule 13 (always plural)The following words are usually considered plural and require a plural verb; scissors, pincers, pliers, trousers, clothes, overalls, glasses, trumps, statistics, athletics, politics, gymnastics, thanks, wages, alms, riches, proceeds, oats, ashes, plastics, and goods.

Rule 14 (Title of Books)Titles of books are always considered singular, even if a noun in the title is plural.Pride and Prejudice deals with society in the eighteenth century.Uncle Tom’s Cabin was written to show the evil effects of slavery.

Unit 5 Exercise 11 Rules 10-141. Party-goers (A.is B. are) generally happy people.2. A Tale of Two Cities (A. is B. are) about the French Revolution.3. A number of rallies (A. is B. are) permitted each year.4. Fever and nausea (a. is B. are) typical of the flu.5. Macaroni and cheese (a. makes B. make) a delicious meal.6. Economics (a. is B. are) an important subject today.7. One thousand dollars (A. is B. are) the cost of a trip to Hawaii.8. Four weeks (A. is B. are) needed to finish my term paper.9. His trousers (A. was B. were) torn in several places.10. Five days in school each week (A. is B. are) a long time.11. The number of weeks in a year (A. is B. are) fifty-two12. My favorite breakfast (A. is B. are) toast and eggs.13. My scissors (A. was B. were) somehow misplaced.14. An abundance of grapes (A. was b. were) on the vine.15. Carrots and peas (A. is B. are) good vegetables.16. Ice cream and cake (A. is b. are) my favorite dessert.17. The remainder of the day (A. was B. were) very restful.18. Mumps (A. is B. are) normally a child’s disease.19. One-fifth of the votes (A. was B. were) for Jane.20. Politics (A. was B. were) ingrained into him from his childhood.21. Mathematics (A. requires B. require) a sharp mind.22. The news (A. is B. are) very disheartening.

23. The rest of the class (A. was B. were) able to grasp the material.24. A number of windows (A. was B. were) broken during the storm.25. The gang (A. was B. were) buying guns and knives.26. A number of men (A. was B. were) painting the gym.27. The gang (A. was B. were) resolved to get revenge.28. Trumps (A. is B. are) spades29. Several glasses (A. was B. were) on the table.30. Peace and liberty (A. has B. have) always been their goal.31. The number of failures (A. was B. were) minimal.32. Aeronautics (a. is B. are) an important subject today.33. Fifty cents (A. was B. were) all she gave the beggar.34. The proceeds from the dance (A. was B. were) given to him.35. The number of meetings (A. is B. are) growing each year.

Unit 5 Exercise 12 (all rules combined)1. Seventeen thousand (is, are) the approximate number of students attending Hebrew

University in Jerusalem.2. Two hours (flies, fly) by as they tour the Dome of the Rock, an ancient mosque.3. Forty-two square miles (is, are) the total area of Jerusalem.4. Four dollars (is, are) a fair price. [one amount]5. Four dollars (lie, lies) on the sidewalk. (four individual bills)6. Two months (is, are) the waiting period.7. Two months (has, have) gone by. (two individual time periods)8. Fifteen feet (is, are) too far for the average person to throw or push a man weighing

several hundred pounds, yet sumo wrestlers routinely perform this feat.9. Three weeks (has, have) passed since the family arrived in Israel.10. Approximately 40 feet (is, are) the height of the stone walls surrounding the Old City11. One hundred sixty feet (is, are) the length of the Wailing Wall, the holiest Jewish shrine

in Jerusalem.12. Mathematics (has, have) always been my favorite subject.13. Mathematics (is, are) my favorite subject.14. The news always (is, are) on at 6 p.m.15. Measles (is, are) the reason the youngest child had to stay home.16. Economics (is, are) one of the most important subject taught there.17. The scissors (is, are) still missing.18. Statistics (show, shows) that the city has benefited from a multitude of pilgrims and

tourists.19. Jack and the Beanstalk (is, are) the first graders’ favorite story.20. Little Women (delight, delights) readers of all ages.21. Cakes and Bagel (is, are) my favorite bakery.22. Interesting Sights in Jerusalem (is are) a good book to read..23. Graceful Giants (is, are) a good title for a sumo-wrestling film.24. “The People of Jerusalem” (is, are) a magazine article that describes the city’s three

populations-Jewish, Moslem, and Christian.

Unit 5 Exercise 13 (all rules combined) Make exercises renumberDirections: write the simple subject and then write the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject.

1. One of many famous monuments (stands, stand) above Boston’s Charlestown waterfront.2. Perhaps the most famous one of the Revolutionary War monuments (is, are) this one on

Bunker Hill.3. South of Bunker Hill and the monument (rises, rise) Breed’s Hill.4. Although the battle fought here was named for Bunker Hill, the true site of the first of

many Revolutionary War conflicts (was, were) Breed’s Hill.5. Along the base of Breed’s Hill (stretches, stretch) the old battle lines.6. Among the American leaders in that conflict (was, were) Colonel William Prescott.7. The hastily organized colonial militiamen (was, were) the “irregular” army that faced the

better-organized British force.8. One outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill (was, were) the colonists’ moral triumph.9. Several patriotic songs and my favorite poem (is, are) based on the story of the Battle of

Bunker hill.10. There (is, are) always many tourists at the historical site.11. Most of the students (comes, come) to every session12. Some of the tourists (doesn’t, don’t ) speak English.13. Over the roof and down the pillar (creeps, creep) the ivy.14. Each of the boys (has, have) both oils and watercolors.15. Here (is, are) the report and the book that were missing.16. How often (has, have) that story been told?17. One of the antiques (was, were) very valuable.18. Everybody on the two teams (is, are) waiting.19. There (is, are) at least three reasons why the dog must stay at home.20. What (was, were) the total price of all your purchases?21. Each of the sliding doors (sticks, stick)22. What (was, were) the minimum daily requirement for each team member?23. All of the stamps (was, were) on the package.24. (Hasn’t, Haven’t) they realized yet that we were joking?25. Each of the kittens (has, have) white patches on its ears.26. Here (is, are) your concert tickets.27. Everyone (wants, want) some steamed clams.28. How often (has, have) they traveled in the West?29. There (is, are) many strong points in Stella’s plan, but it is too expensive.30. Most of the doors in the house (squeaks, squeak).

Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite pronouns can refer to people, places, or things without actually specifying which ones; that is, they frequently do not have antecedents.

SingularRule 22: These indefinite pronouns are always singular and take a singular verb and a singular antecedent.

Each Neither Body Many a …

Every One Thing

PluralRule 16: These indefinite pronouns are always plural and take a plural verb and a plural antecedent.

Both Many SeveralFew Others

Depends on Prepositional PhraseRule 17: The following indefinite pronouns rely on the prepositional phrase to determine whether they are singular or plural.

All Any MoreMost None Some

Unit 5 Exercise 14: Indefinite Pronouns SingularUnderline the correct verb form and/or pronoun.1. Not one of these answers (A. is B. are) correct.2. Every boy in this room (A. was, B. were) present on time.3. Neither of these books (A. have B. has) a price tag.4. Everybody (A. is B. are) accounted for.5. No one may leave (A. their B. his) seat.6. Either of you (A. was B. were) capable of winning the contest.7. Nobody (A. was B. were) willing to confess to the deed.8. Everything (A. is B. are) in order.9. Each of these oranges on the table (A. is B. are) ripe.10. Somebody (A. are B. is) not telling the truth.

Unit 5 Exercise 15 Indefinite Pronouns PluralThese indefinite pronouns are always plural and take a plural verb and a plural antecedent.Both Many SeveralFew Others

Underline the correct verb form.1. Both of the girls (A. is B. are) in the room.2. Many of the children (A. is B. are) from another school.3. A few of the boys (A. are B. is) receiving scholarships.4. Others of the group (A. were B. was) never mentioned.5. Both of these papers (A. is B. are) complete.6. A few of these sentences (A. need B. needs) revision.7. Many of the remarks (A. was B. were) inappropriate.8. Several of the honor student (A. is B. are) going to Europe this summer.9. Both of you (A. are B. is ) at fault.10. Many of these papers (A. is B. are) excellent.

Unit 5 Exercise 16: Indefinite Pronouns depend on PP phrase.The following indefinite pronouns rely on the prepositional phrase to determine whether they are singular or plural.All Any MoreMost None Some

Underline the correct verb form.1. Most of the pie (A. have B. has) been eaten.2. Most of the pies (A. was B were) sold in two hours3. Some of the candy in that bowl (A. is B. are) stale.4. Any of the girls present ( A. was B. were) given certificates.5. Most of the scores (A. was B. were) high.6. Few of her remarks (A. has B have) ever bothered me.7. All of the apples (A. was B. were) taken to the orphanage.8. All of the apple (A. was B. were) eaten.9. None of the girls on the team (A. was B. were) ready.10. Most of his remarks (A. was B. were) unexpected.

Unit 5 Exercise 17: All Indefinite Pronouns1. Almost every citizen of the United States (A. loves B. love) his country.2. Every one of the baskets (A. was B. were) woven by my art class.3. Each of the pencils in my hand (A. belongs B. belong) to my brother.4. Neither of the books (A. is B. are) his.5. Nobody (A. has B. had) permission to leave.6. Each of the senators (A. presents B. present) his report tomorrow.7. Not one of the papers on m y desk (A. were B. was) written correctly.8. Every class (A. celebrate B. celebrates) its special day.9. Everyone (A. is B. are) welcome to the dance.10. Neither of the boys (A. has B. have) finished his homework.11. Everyone on the team (A. have B. has) left his special mark.12. Each of the cheerleaders (A. was B. were) given a special trophy at the banquet last night.13. Neither Bob nor his brother (A. has B. have) written.14. Nobody (A. has B. have) given me the correct assignment.15. One of the girls (A. has B. have) taken my book.16. Neither of these answers (A. is B. are) correct.17. Someone (A. is B. are) certainly sure of himself.18. Everybody at the party (A. were B. was) happy.19. Each of these pictures (A. have B. has) a flaw.20. Somebody (A. is B. are) responsible for the vandalism.21. Neither his chairperson nor his friends (A. is B. are) coming to Los Angeles.22. Nothing (A. was B. were) sacred with this group.23. Both of the girls in the room (is B. are) going to Canada next month.24. Either Bill or his younger brothers (A. is B. are) going out for track.25. Most of the pie (A. have B. has) been eaten.26. Some of these apples (A. is B. are) spoiled.27. Civics (A. are B. is) my favorite subject.28. Either plan (A. has B. have) good qualities.29. Most of her assignments (A. receives B. receive) an A.30. Everyone (A. knows B. know) the reasons for her failure.31. Many of our athletes (A. needs B. need) financial help.

32. Most of the fruit (A. was B. were) delivered yesterday.33. All of her papers (A. has B. have) been corrected.34. No one (A. is B. are) excluded from the club.35. A few of the errors on your paper (A. was B. were) easily corrected.36. Neither your writing nor your misspellings (A. is B. are) acceptable.37. The news last night (A. was B. were) certainly startling.38. A number of tests (A. was B. were) given earlier this month.39. Forty dollars (A. was B. were) found in the parking lot. (An individual amount)40. Fifty dollars (A. is B. are) too large a price to pay.41. The number of days left before spring break (A. is B. are) diminishing.42. Politics often (A. causes B. cause) arguments.43. Several of the pictures (A. was B. were) fuzzy.44. All the proceeds from the drive (A. was B. were) given to the Red Cross.45. More of the same (A. was B. were) ordered by the senator.46. Others in the group (A. was B. were) merely warned by the officer.47. Neither of the twins (A. has B. have) entered the contest.48. My brother with his friends (A. plans B. plan) to hire a band.49. Neither test (A. was B. were) appropriate.50. Many a man, woman, and child (A. is B. are) concerned about that problem.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 566 Ex. 11. Tornadoes ( leaves, leave) a trail of destruction.2. Meteorologists (uses, use) special instruments to measure the speed of tornado winds.3. Tornado winds (races, race) at around 240 miles per hour.4. In just a few minutes, a twister (roars, roar) past.5. In that brief period, it (is, are) able to level buildings.6. Purple Grammar Book Pg. 567 Ex. 27. A tornado occurring over a lake or an ocean (is, are) a waterspout.8. A waterspout with winds of less than 50 miles per hour usually (lasts, last) longer than a

tornado does.9. A ship’s crew members sailing on the ocean (fears, fear) waterspouts.10. Water around waterspouts (churns, churn)11. Small vessels caught in a storm (tosses, toss) violently from side to side.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 567 Ex. 3Revise the following passage, correcting all errors in subject-verb agreement. Not every sentence contains errors.

1. Scientists from the national Weather Service gathers weather information from all parts of the country. If the information indicates a tornado, a warning of severe weather conditions are issued. The movements of the tornado shows where it will strike. People living in that area evacuate. Putting storm cellars under homes also provide and excellent source of shelter. On hearing news of a tornado, members of a family heads for the shelter. Often, a supply of water and canned goods is kept there. When the powerful winds of the tornado passes, the people feel safe leaving the shelter. Usually, a broadcast on radio or TV announce the all-clear. What signs of the storm’s fury remains?

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 569 Ex. 41. Cyclone and typhoon (is, are) other names for a type of storm that North Americans call a

hurricane. 2. Meteorologists and other scientists (describes, describe) hurricanes as rotating storms

from the tropical ocean.3. Dull-red sunsets or a high barometric reading (predicts, predict) a potential hurricane

brewing at sea.4. In modern times, the radio or television (allows, allow) people to learn about a hurricane

before it strikes.5. Both strong winds and heavy rainfall (is, are) typical during hurricanes.6. Late summer and early fall (is, are) hurricane season.7. A moist, tropical region at high risk for hurricanes (is, are) the Caribbean islands.8. Neither Hurricane Andrew nor Hurricane Mitch (was, were) a mild hurricane.9. Either Hurricane Camille or Hurricane Mitch (holds, hold) the record for the lowest

barometric pressure ever recorded.10. During one hurricane, four adults and a child (was, were) trapped in a building, but they

were safely rescued in the end.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 570 Ex. 51. (There’s There’re) usually a series of warnings before a hurricane.2. Causing the greatest losses (was, were) Hurricane Floyd.3. On the radar (glows, glow) traces of a hurricane track.4. Where on these radar screens (is, are) the eye of the hurricane?5. Here (is, are) the flashlights and candles in case the lights go out during the storm.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 572 Ex. 61. Everyone studying tornadoes (has, have) learned some amazing facts.2. Using a computer program, each of us (was, were) assigned an imaginary tornado track.3. Many (finds, find) the assignment exciting and informative.4. A few in the class (is, are) frightened by the strength of the twister.5. Some of the students (researches, research) the effects of tornadoes in certain areas of the

country.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 573 Ex. 71. Tornadoes (is are) a good reason for extreme caution.2. Each tornado (has, have) unique characteristics.3. Most (looks, look) like a funnel.4. Many (approaches, approach) without warning. 5. One sign of approaching turbulent weather (is, are) thunder clouds.6. Experiencing the most tornadoes( is, are) the middle of the country.7. Each year, a series of tornadoes (causes, cause) damage to the region of the United States

known as Tornado Alley.)8. Beware the Twisters (is, are) a book about the destruction caused by tornadoes.9. In 1968, three million dollars (was, were) the cost of the damage caused by a tornado that

passed through Tracy, Minnesota.10. All meteorologists in the agency (rates, rate) tornadoes.

11. Physics, (is, are) a science meteorologists use to measure a tornado.12. At the center of a tornado (appears, appear) areas of low pressure.13. (There’s There are) lots of activity in the tornado’s core.14. Some areas of a tornado (is are) illuminated by lightning.15. The news occasionally (contains, contain) reports about people who have seen the core,

or center, of a tornado.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 575 Ex. 81. Rain during thunderstorms (falls, fall) quite rapidly.2. Loud claps of thunder (shakes, shake) the house.3. Lightning bolts (flashes, flash) across the sky.4. Heavy rains or fast-melting snow (causes, cause) floods in many parts of the world.5. Either too much rain or too much snow (makes, make) the level of rivers rise.6. Rising rivers (means, mean)trouble.7. Towns in the flood zone (is, are) in great danger.8. A city or vacation spot located near the ocean (is, are) in danger of a tidal wave.9. People (evacuates, evacuate) these areas before the storm hits.10. Neither the Western Hemisphere nor the Easter Hemisphere (is, are) immune to flooding.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 575 Ex. 91. In the spring months (begins, begin) tornado season.2. Most (occurs, occur) at this time of year due to weather patterns.3. Often at the end of a hot, humid day (appears, appear) the thunderclouds.4. Each cloud that produces tornadoes (is, are) different from regular clouds.5. (Does, Do) people hear any thunder?6. There (is, are) often rumbles of thunder before a tornado hits.7. Each of the dark clouds (seems, seem) ready to burst.8. At the bottom of the cloud (twists, twist) rounded cloud masses.9. Everybody in the shelters (fears, fear) the powerful funnel.10. Some of the most violent winds (uproots, uproot) trees and even overturn railroad cars.

Purple Grammar Book Pg. 575 Ex. 101. Sever weather conditions (is, are) a threat.2. In Florida, one reason for building strong houses (is, are) hurricanes.3. Hurricanes in early fall (is, are) a danger in the Southeast.4. The responsibility of meteorologists (is, are) weather alerts.5. These warnings (is, are) the key to saving lives during such storms.6. Purple Grammar Book Pg. 575 Ex. 117. The news (includes, include) many stories of severe storms.8. Tornadoes (represents, represent) one type of weather disaster.9. In 1977, in the Midwest, there (was, were) millions of dollars of destruction from a

tornado that lasted seven hours.10. About 340 miles (was, were) the distance traveled by this tornado.11. Most tornadoes (does, do) not last that long.

Additional Exercises

Rule 1: Singular Subject, Plural Subject, PP Intervenes

1. The barges on the canal (A. transport, B. transports) wheat.

2. The headlights of the oncoming cars (A. dazzle, B. dazzles) a driver at night.

3. The vase of flowers (A. make, B. makes) a lovely display.

4. The thunder (A. sound, B. sounds) like fireworks.

5. The orchestra (A. is, B. are) tuning their instruments.

6. Honduras (A. is, B. are) a country in Central America.

7. The colors in this photo (A. is, B. are) surprisingly lifelike.

8. Pain, in addition to tiredness, (A. causes, B. cause) many accidents.

9. Lions and tigers (A. is, B. are) cats.

10. Toothbrushes (has, have) a long history.

11. The “chew stick,” which was used by Egyptians more than five thousand years ago, (is, are) the earliest toothbrush we know about.

12. Members of a tribe (chooses, choose) their sticks only from certain trees, known as “toothbrush trees.”

13. The American Dental Association, which studied these ancient tools still in use, (has found, have found) that these frayed sticks are used today in parts of the United States, too.

14. Dentists in the study (says, say) that these twig brushes can be every bit as effective as modern nylon-bristle brushes.

15. Bristle toothbrushes, like the one in your bathroom, (has been, have been) around fro five hundred years.

16. A person’s sleep needs (is are) biological.

17. Scientists in the field (estimates, estimate) that Americans accumulate an annual sleep debt.

18. That annual sleep debt, believe it or not, (averages, average) about five hundred hours per person.

19. Across the meadow (speed, speeds) the doe and her fawn.

20. Over the fence (spring, springs) the rabbits.

21. Under the arch and through the gate (march, marches) the preschoolers.

22. Some of my baseball cards (is, are) missing.

23. Where (is, are) the sleeping bags I brought up from the basement?

24. Here (is, are) Tami’s favorite dolls.

25. On the back porch by the grill (is, are) the old newspapers.

26. The toddler’s favorite toy (is, are) blocks.

27. The films by the new director (was, were) the winner.

28. Seychelles (is, are) an African country.

29. Where in your desk (is, are) your yellow pencil?

30. Beyond this town and across the river (looms, loom) the Empire State Building.

31. The paper plates, napkins, and coleslaw (was, were) supposed to bring the ice and chicken.

32. Cynthia Moss (study, studies) and (protect, protects) elephants.

33. Her research (have, has) been done in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.

34. Moss (is, are) tracking more than 1,000 elephants.

35. Wild African elephants (leads, lead) extraordinary social lives.

36. Elephant families, made up of adult females and their young (is, are) led by the oldest female of the group.

37. Groups of visitors who (travels, travel) America’s scenic highways think these roads are engineering marvels.

38. Whooping cranes (is, are) an endangered species.

39. Jackie’s study habits (is, are) deplorable and distressing.

Identify the Subject the correct form of the verb.

1. John Cabot’s life, as well as his voyages, (is are) somewhat of a mystery to historians.

2. John Cabot, as well as his son Sebastian, (was were) sent to explore the Americas.

3. Before Columbus's voyage, John Cabot, plus other navigators, (was were) planning a westward voyage to Asia.

4. John, accompanied by 18 men, (was were) scheduled to sail from England in 1497.

5. Five ships in the royal fleet, in addition to John's ship, (was were) prepared to leave on a second voyage in 1498.

6. A crew mutiny, together with a lack of supplies, (appears/appear) to have doomed the

7. In 1525 Sebastian Cabot, accompanied by three Spanish vessels, (was were) expected to develop trade with the Orient.

8. However, Cabot, as well as all his men, (was were) diverted by news of great wealth in South America.

9. Unfortunately, three years, plus tremendous effort, (was were) wasted, and Cabot was blamed for the failed expedition.

10. Sebastian Cabot, as well as his father, never (seems seem) to have attained his exploration goals

11. Peru, in addition to other regions of South America, (was were) ruled by Spain from the 1530s until early in the nineteenth century.

12. The famous Venezuelan Simon Bolivar, as well as the leaders Jose de San Martin and Antonio Jose de Sucre, (was were) foremost in the fight for South American independence.

13. Bolivar's imagination and skills as a military tactician (remains remain) highly regarded by historians today.

14. This statesman and soldier (was were) also the author of two great political tracts, El Manifesto de Cartagena (The Manifesto of Cartagena) and La Carta de Jamaica (The Letter from Jamaica).

15. Napoleon Bonaparte's European victories over Spain, in addition to the unrest in South America, (was were) crucial in weakening Spain's power around the globe.

16. Between 1808 and 1819, many a devastating battle and dizzying shift of power (was were) witnessed on the continent of South America.

17. After neither the United States nor Great Britain (was were) willing to provide military aid, Bolivar successfully appealed to Haiti in 1815 for money and weapons.

18. Neither flooded flatlands nor ice-covered mountains (was were) able to stop Bolivar's army from ambushing and defeating the Spanish in New Granada in 1819.

19. In later years Colombia and Peru (was were) ruled by a dictatorship imposed by the Liberator, as Sim6n Bolivar became known.

20. Unfortunately, neither Bolivar’s parents nor his wife (was were) alive to witness his triumphs.

21. The Masai people of East Africa (is are) nomads who have maintained a distinctive culture throughout many centuries.

22. A typical house within most Masai compounds (has have) walls of mud.

23. Until they become warriors, the males in this culture (has have) to postpone marriage.

24. A young Masai man with good hunting skills (gains gain) the respect of h s people.

25. A popular sport among the Masai men (is/are) competitive spear throwing.

26. The pursuit of Western culture and riches (does/do) not really interest the tribe, which values its animals above all else.

27. One belief of these herders (is are) that they are the rightful custodians of all cattle.

28. Other tribes throughout Africa naturally (remains remain) wary of the Masai's belief about

29. Characteristically Masai people near a modem metropolis (has have) little to do with their big-city neighbors.

30. Sometimes, however, Masai men in financial need (finds find) employment as night watchmen in Kenya.

31. Mars' desolate landscape, in addition to its freezing temperatures, (makes make) it an unlikely environment for any form of life.

32. In recent decades Chinese Americans in the field of science (has have) excelled in many areas.

33. The winner of the 1962 Albert Lasker Medical Research Award and of several other prestigious awards (was were) the notable biochemist Dr. Choh Hao Li, one of the world's foremost authorities on the pituitary gland.

34. In the tenth edition of American Men of Science, the list of names (includes/include) not only that of Dr. Li but also those of his three brothers, each distinguished in his own right.

35. Dr. Frances Chew's work on the interactions between plants and insects (consists/consist) of determining the poisons that plants produce to protect themselves from insects.

36. Perhaps the best-known Chinese American scientists of the twentieth century (is/are) Drs. Tsung Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang, winners of the 1957 Nobel Prize for physics.

37. The research by these two physicists (was were) able to disprove a universally accepted law of nature.

38. Because of the work of these men and their collaborator Dr. Chien Shiung Wu, textbooks in science no longer (teaches teach) that elementary particles in nature are always symmetrical.

39. The discoverer of the subatomic particles known as J and psi (was were) Dr. Samuel C. C. Ting, who along with Burton Richter won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1976.

40. Katherine Hsu, among other Chinese American physicians, (has have) also received special recognition.

41. These considerable contributions to the field of science (has have) enhanced our understanding of the world.

Rule 2: Subject with Or and Nor

1. Either the Andersons’ children or their dog (A. has, B. have) dug this hole.2. Neither he nor she (is, are) strong enough to lift the barbell.3. So far neither soil analysis nor photo scans (had have) provided conclusive evidence for

the existence of life on Mars.4. Possibly only a microbe or some other simple organism (is are) able to survive on Mars.

5.

Rules 3-5 There, Here, There’s Here’s, Inverted Order

1. Across the grasslands (A. sounds, sound) the roars of lions.

2. These, not the chew stick, (traces, trace) their origin to China, where hog bristles fastened onto bamboo shoots were early tooth-cleaning tools.

3. How much sleep (does, do) monkeys get? Ten hours.

4. There (is/are) three excellent and unusual restaurants in my neighborhood.

5. In the window of one of the restaurants (hangs/hang) an interesting menu.

6. Over the door of another (swings/swing) an old and elaborate sign.

7. Outside the third (stands/stand) two statues representing servers.

8. (Does/Do) the restaurant owners ever cook and bake?

9. (Is/Are) expert chefs brought in to create mouth-watering specialties to please the demanding clientele?

10. There (is are) a pleasant decor in all three of these restaurants.

11. Into the restaurants (crowds/crowd) the hungry customers.

12. Here (comes/come) the people who want to eat before they go to the theater.

13. There (gathers gather) the people waiting to be seated.

14. On one menu (is are) a picture of an unusual animal.

15. On the sign there (is/are) three pictures of the food served.

16. In the lap of one statue in a comer of the restaurant (rests/rest) a knife.

17. How (does/do) the owner find all the foods for the menus?

18. There (is are) special menus for children in each restaurant.

19. On each table (is/are) a vase of flowers.

20. On a table in the center of the restaurant (is/are) dishes from other countries.

21. There (is/are) a line of three young men outside the door.

22. Does/Do) the three men have reservations?

23. Here (comes/come) the third delivery of food for today.

24. (Is/Are) all of the kibbutzim entirely agricultural?

25. (Has/Have) none established manufacturing industries?

26. (Does Do) all of the children attend school?

27. (Does Do) all of the moshav belong to its residents?

28. In many a rock musician (beats beat) the heart of a blues musician from the region of the United States known as the Mississippi Delta.

29. There (was were) a dozen or more influential blues musicians born in the Mississippi Delta in the first two decades of this century.

30. In the group work songs of cotton-field workers (lies lie) the roots of the Delta blues.

31. On the plantations of the Delta (was were) heard the music of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker, among others.

32. (Do/Does) these names seem familiar to you?

33. Unfortunately, there (is/are) few recordings of the very early musical pieces of some of these blues artists.

34. There (was were) several musicians who carried the blues north, especially to Chicago, in the 1940s and 1950s.

35. (Was/Were) blues singers Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters performing in Chicago then?

36. In the blues (lives live) a sense of hope, strength, and survival.

37. In the debt of Delta blues musicians (is/are) artists as diverse as the Rolling Stones, Robert Cray, and Whitney Houston.

38. (Does/Do) your friend from school own any of these new computer games?

39. There (is are) hundreds of computer games available from software developers and amateur programmers.

40. In even the simplest games (lies lie) the challenge of outwitting a "smart" machine.

41. There (is are) more complex games with both challenge and colorful, high resolution graphics.

42. Here (is are) a list of adventures in some of the most popular commercial games.

43. Before you (stretches/stretch) a valley full of magical hazards that your character must master.

44. Down a well (is are) falling shapes that you must catch and position on a grid.

45. Within a maze of clues (hides hide) the identity of the time-travelling thief who has stolen napoleon’s hat.

46. (Does Do) these games sound familiar to you?

47. With the advent of new technology, there (is are) a strong probability that games will become even more exciting.

48. The village buildings (clusters/cluster) near the sea.

49. A gentle hill (rises/rise) above the houses.

50. Green pastures (stretches/stretch) beyond the village.

51. The little steamer (sails/sail) on the clear blue waters.

52. Sad farewells (comes/come) with summer's end.

53. In the forest (burns burn) three types of fires: ground fires, surface fires, and crown fires.

54. Within the humus layer (blazes blaze) the ground fire.

55. Amid the surface litter and forest undergrowth (flames/flame) the surface fire.

56. Through the tops of shrubs and trees (reaches reach) the crown fire.

57. During a common forest fire (rages rage) two or more types of fires.

58. Here (is/are) two prevalent causes of forest fires: human negligence and intentional arson.

59. There (is are) fewer fires ignited by lightning than by humans.

60. Here (is are) the role that weather plays in influencing the start of a forest fire.

61. There (is are) factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity.

62. There (is/are) means by which the flammability of a forest can be predicted.

63. Why (does do) people continue to study and explore the sea?

64. There (is are) numerous reasons for this persistent interest in the sea.

65. From our oceans (comes/come) information about Earth's climate

66. From our knowledge of the sea (stems stem) an ability to increase our food supply.

67. Here (is/are) another compelling reason for the universal curiosity about the sea.

68. In the ocean's depths (lies lie) great wealth.

69. On the reefs off Bermuda (rests rest) many sunken ships.

70. There (is are) often a chest of gold coins waiting to be discovered in an ancient shipwreck.

71. There (is/are) sometimes many problems in the raising of a sunken ship.

72. (Doesn't Don't) the discoverer of underwater treasure get to keep the treasure?

73. Why (have has) past explorers been unable to study the luxury liner Titanic that sank?

74. There (was were) numerous changes in rules for passenger ships after the Titanic sank.

75. With reforms (come/comes) a measure of safety Titanic passengers never had.

76. (Have/Has) recent efforts been made to remove artifacts from the sunken ship?

77. Into the icy waters (plunge/plunges) robot submersibles equipped with television cameras.

78. Behind the robot submersibles (follow/follows) a three-person United States submersible.

79. There (has have) also been a salvage effort conducted by the French.

80. (Does Do) the United States and France have to share whatever they find

81. There (is/are) much power within the sea as well as climate information and a food supply.

82. (Is/Are) we technologically equipped to harness the sea's strength and utilize it for energy?

83. Here (is, are) the letter I mentioned to you.

84. Why (is, are) all three outfielders looking the wrong way.

85. There (is, are) many possible reasons for their behavior.

86. Crawling behind the sofa (was, were) two loudly giggling children.

87. Here in this box (is, are) several toys from my childhood.

88. How often (does, do) he manage to take a break from his responsibilities?

89. How silently and softly (falls, fall) the rain.

90. There (is, are) no excuse for such table manners.

1.

Rule 6: Linking Verbs

2. Identify the subject and the appropriate verb.

3. For many people the joys of the circus (is, are) a pleasure that they never outgrow.

4. Circuses (remains, remain) a popular form of entertainment in many countries.

5. The circuses of ancient Rome (was were) actually a group of chariot races performed in a ring.

6. Perhaps the first of the modem circuses (was were) a one-ring show by Philip Astley,

7. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, circus performers (was were) the elite among popular entertainers.

8. The most exotic part of all circuses (is are) wild animals.

9. The feats of an acrobat or a trapeze artist (seems seem) an impossibility to most of us.

10. A clown’s acrobatic leaps (appears appear) an easy trick, but in fact they are quite difficult to perform.

11. The strains of the calliope (is are) a joyous sound, don’t you think?

12. To me, an irresistible temptation ( is are) the aromas of popcorn and roasted peanuts.

13. Our Endangered Forests and Wildlife. Write/Circle the subject and the appropriate verb.

14. The growing threat to America's wild animals (is are) a national problem.

15. Another problem (is/are) the many acres of forest land we lose each year.

16. Wildlife (remains remain) a rich and vital part of our national heritage.

17. Animals (is/are) also an important part of our world.

18. Research on plant and animal life (is/are) the means of much scientific discovery.

19. Our forests (is/are) also a wonderful resource for recreation.

20. Not long ago our forest land (was were) millions of acres more extensive.

21. Growing cities (is/are) part of the problem.

22. By the 1990s one result of deforestation (was were) high numbers of endangered species.

23. Adequate food (is/are) a necessity for animals.

24. The cost of deforestation (is/are) years of floods and damaging soil erosion.

25. Harmful effects on the wild animals that depend on the forest (is are) a result of deforestation.

26. The long-term effects of excessive hunting and fishing (is are) another problem.

27. State governments (is/are) important agencies in protecting our endangered forests.

28. The destructive results (is/are) a disturbance in the balance of nature.

29. Our land (is/are) our home, our heritage, and our gift to the future.

30. Protected lands (seem/seems) the only hope for wildlife.

31. Our forests (remains/remain) an important part of their survival.

32. Efforts by government and private citizens (seems/seem) the solution.

33. We (is/are) all part of the solution.

Find the simple subject in each sentence. Then circle/write the verb that agrees with each subject.

34. As evidenced by Eskimo art, the central element in the life of Eskimos (is are) the splendors of nature.

35. The lifelike carvings of animals such as birds, seals, and bears (is are) a popular art form.

36. A popular theme in Eskimo art (has been have been) creatures from the spiritual world.

37. 4. A favorite medium for carvings (is are) ivory tusks from walruses.

38. The smooth surfaces of each ivory carving (seems seem) an invitation to hold each object.

39. Chunks of wood, to (becomes become) a delight to the senses!

40. Carved by a skilled Eskimo artist, even ordinary combs or fish hooks (is are) something

41. A more exotic kind of carving (is are) the masks used in ceremonial dances.

42. Eskimo artifacts from the ancient past (remains remain) a beautiful and mysterious treasure today.

43. Elegant carvings (has become have become) part of the proud heritage of the Eskimos.

44. A translation of the name Hong Kong (is are) the words "fragrant harbor."

45. For many visitors the diverse aspects of Hong Kong (has become/have become) its charm.

46. The contrasting examples of ancient and modern architectural design there (seems seem) a challenge to the senses.

47. The bustling streets of Hong Kong (appears appear) a blend of nineteenth-century culture and contemporary commerce.

48. On famous Ladder Street a modem thoroughfare (becomes/become) winding steps without warning.

49. Actually, Hong Kong (is/are) three separate districts: Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island, and the New Territories.

50. The border points between Hong Kong and mainland China (remains remain) an attraction for both natives and tourists.

51. An interesting sight (is/are) the Chinese junks skimming the harbor.

52. A special feature for gourmet diners (is/are) the foods prepared at the fine restaurants.

53. The galleries in the Museum of Art (is are) a repository of antiquities, including precious jade, paintings, sculpture, and ceramics.

Rule 7: Compound Subject, And Items thought of as one item.

1. Peanut butter and jelly (are, is) my favorite type of sandwich.

2. His best friend and companion (are, is) George.

Rule 8: Collective Nouns

1. The football team (A. is having B. are having) their physicals.

2. The hedge clippers (seems, seem) to work now.

3. Family genetics (was, were) an important consideration in choosing therapy.

4. His family (are, is) from Italy.

5. His family (are, is)getting haircuts today.

6. The committee (submit, submits) its report.

7. The committee (signs, sign) their names.

8. The team (is, are) on a winning streak.

9. The high school varsity team (is, are) going to five different colleges next year. (multiple members in the group)

10. This audience (is, are) one of the most enthusiastic we’ve had.

11. The orchestra (performs, perform) tonight at the hall.

12. The audience (is, are) entering the theater through three doors now.

13. The crowd (cheer cheers).

14. The crowd (rushes, rush) to find their seats.

15. The team (was were) victorious in the state finals.

16. The audience (is are) expressing their opinions about the play.

17. After two hours the audience at this demonstration of Japanese sports still (wears wear) expressions of interest on their faces.

18. In traditional Japanese sports, each team (obeys obey) strict rituals and rules.

19. More than 1,000 years (has have) passed since Japanese men began to wrestle in the style known as sumo.

20. Statistics (confirms/confirm) that the average weight of a sumo wrestler is 300 pounds.

21. Fifteen feet (is/are) too far for the average person to throw or push a man weighing several hundred pounds, yet sumo wrestlers routinely perform this feat.

22. Graceful Giants (is are) a good title for a sumo-wrestling film.

23. My binoculars (helps help) me to appreciate the precise movements of the judo wrestlers.

24. While watching the sword game called kendo, a crowd of American spectators (is are) apt to wonder at the significance of the stylized gestures.

25. Now a family of five (presents present) individual demonstrations of kyudo, or Japanese archery.

26. The whole family (has have) extraordinary poise and skill.

27. The first baseball team to hire Roberto Clemente (was were) the Santurce Cangrejeros of Puerto Rico.

28. When Clemente became a professional ball player with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954, 50 thousand dollars (was were) considered a princely salary.

29. Clemente's family (was were) proud of his career.

30. Roberto Clemente's impressive offensive and defensive statistics (shows/show) that he was a versatile player.

31. Professional athletics (is are) a demanding field.

32. Clemente's 18 years in major-league baseball (is are) considered a long career.

33. Five hours (is are) a long time for a professional baseball game to last.

34. On December 3 1, 1972, his team (was were) shocked to hear that Clemente had died in a plane crash while taking supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

35. Sometimes a professional athlete's second family (is are) his or her teammates.1.

Rule 9: Depends on the PP

1. Half of this melon (A. is, B. are) yours.

2. One-fourth of the cookie dough (is, are) in the bowl.

3. One-fourth of the cookies (is, are) in this box.

4.

Rule 10: Money and Time

1. Five dollars (A. is, B. are) the price of the picture frame.

2. Seventy-five percent of my classmates (A. agrees, B. agree)

3. Twenty-five millimeters (A. equals, B. equal) one inch.

4. On the frontier, fifty percent of the workers’ food (was, were) made from flour.

5. Five thousand six hundred eighty feet (equals, equal) one mile.

6. Three dollars (is, are) not too much.

7. Three dollars (is, are) on the table.

8. Four dollars (is are) a fair price. (one amount)

9. Four dollars (lie, lies) on the sidewalk. (four individual bills)

10. Two months (is are) the waiting period. (one unit of time)

11. Two months (have has) gone by. (two individual time periods)

Rule 11: A Number or The Number1. There (is, are) a number of homeless cats at the Humane Society.

Rule 12: Ends in S but is always singular (Civics, economics, mathematics, politics aeronautics, measles, mumps, molasses and news are always singular because they refer to one thing.)

1. Politics (A. is B. are) one of my dad’s greatest interests.2. Mathematics (are, is) my favorite subject.3. The news (is, was) good. 4. Measles (are, is)a childhood disease.5. Measles (covers, cover) the sick child’s body.6. The media (pools, pool) their resources at times.7. Diabetes (is are) a disorder of the body’s insulin production.

8.

Rule 13: Always Plural scissors, pincers, pliers, trousers, clothes, overalls, glasses, trumps, statistics, athletics, , gymnastics, thanks, wages, alms, riches, proceeds, oats, ashes, plastics, and goods.

1. The cleaners promised that his trousers (was, were) going to be cleaned, pressed, and delivered in time for the award ceremony.

2. The scissors (is, are) still missing.

3. The scissors (was were) sharp.

4. Your eyeglasses (needs need) cleaning.

5. Your pants (is, are) too short.

6. His ethics (was were) questioned by the local newspaper.

7.

8.

Rule 14: Title of Books

1. Linda’s “Sequoias” (A. is, B. are) her best work so far.

Rule 15: These indefinite pronouns are always singular and take a singular verb and a singular antecedent. Each, Every, Neither, One, Body, Thing. Many A

1. Many a senator (A. has, B. have) introduced legislation.

2. Every student in the classroom (A. is, B. are) important.

3. Each of the children (A. receives, B. receive) a balloon.

4. Every child (A. has, B. have) his or her own unique qualities.

5. Many a town in the Wild West (was abandoned, were abandoned) when gold or silver mines were depleted.

6. Everyone (seems, seem) to be flying kites these days.

7. Either of the McIntyre twins (is, are) available for tutoring.

8. Accidents happen, but nobody ever (seems, seem) to know anything about them.

9. Everybody in the arena (has enjoyed, have enjoyed) the spectacle.

10. Nobody in the races (wants, want) to risk injury.

11. Every note, gesture, and facial expression (is are) crucial to the success of a performance.

12. Many a performer and audience member (feels feel) excited when the lights in a theater dim.

13. No one on the kibbutzim (work works) for personal profit.

14. Everything on a kibbutz, except personal possessions, (is are) collectively owned.

15. Each of the members (labors labor) to capacity.

16. Everyone (receives receive) according to need.

17. Not one of the wolves (kills, kill) cattle.

18. (Does, Do) anyone prefer chocolate to strawberry?

19. Doesn’t anyone (know, knows) the password?

20. Many a singer, comedian, and playful bandit (has have) boarded the steam train in Williams to accompany the passengers.

21. One of many famous monuments (stands stand) above Boston's Charlestown waterfront.

22. Perhaps the most famous one of the Revolutionary War monuments (is are) this one on Bunker Hill.

23. Many a human hope and dream (focuses focus) on finding life on other planets.

24. Many a student (live, lives) in this dorm.

25. Everyone (wants want) to save money.

26. No one (expects expect) poor quality products.

27. Despite all the new products manufactured each year, few (is are) recalled.

28. Anyone with complaints (has have) the opportunity to write or call the better business Bureau.

29. (Has, Have) anyone seen Ramona today?

30. Either of the McIntyre twins (is, are) available for tutoring.

31. Accidents happen, but nobody ever (seems, seem) to know anything about them.

32. Many a man, woman, and child (has have) visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Rule 16: These indefinite pronouns are always plural and take a plural verb and a plural antecedent. Both Many Several Few Others

1. Of all the students in Holy Cross, few (A. goes, B. go) to the opera.

2. Several of my friends (A. likes, B. like) broccoli.

3. Others (snoozes, snooze) for ten hours.

4. Both the toy and the candy bar (is, are) fro you.

5. Both of the editors (has, have) proofread the nest chapter.

6. Few of the wolves (kills, kill) cattle.

7. Several patriotic songs and my favorite poem (is are) based on the story of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

8. Both of these agencies (protects protect) consumers.

9. Several of today’s advertising claims (is are ) credible.

10. Both of you (write, writes) well enough to enter the essay contest.

11. Few of those classroom television sets (works, work) properly.

12. Few of the soloists (was were) needed for this particular work

13. Both of these (is/are) true butterflies.

14.

Rule 17: The following indefinite pronouns rely on the prepositional phrase to determine whether they are singular or plural. All, Most, Any, None, More, Some

1. Many of these birds (avoids avoid) some butterflies.

2. Almost all of these insects (has have) some means of protection from enemies.

3. Many of them (excels/excel) at the art of imitation.

4. Some insects, like the tree hopper, (looks look) like inanimate objects when they rest on a plant stem.

5. Some butterflies, like this one, (has have) special coloration to startle would-be predators.

6. Some of the members of one group (has have) subdued colors and fly at night.

7. Most of the books we read (expands, expand) our knowledge of the world.

8. Any of the audience who came late (was were) handed a program by the usher.

9. Most of the audience members (was were) pleased by the performance.

10. (Does, Do) any of them play on the junior high field hockey team?

11. Some of the bread (feels, feel) stale.

12. All of the subjects in the paper (has, have) been researched thoroughly.

13. Most of the students (comes, come) to every session.

14. Some of the tourists (doesn’t, don’t) speak English.

15. All of the performers of the opera (knows know) their parts.

16. Some of the students (drives, drive) to school.

17. Some tribes in Africa (uses, use) it every day.

18. Some of the adults I know (needs, need) only six hours a night.

19. Most of my adult friends (requires, require) at least eight hours a night.

20. Someone (has, have) a kite with a giant flower on it.

21. I have some pencils, but there (is, are) not enough for all of you.

22. Where are all the prizes? Most (has, have) already been won.

23. Not all of the athletes (has been, have been) professionals.

24. Most of the participants (trains, train) hard for their events.

25. All of the water polo players (is, are) good swimmers.

26. Some of the runners (had been, have been) injured by racing.

27. Most of the rooms in the kibbutz (is/are) communal.

28. Most of each community (is/are) cooperatively owned.

29. None of the 3-D movies (is, are) much fun without the special glasses.

30. Some of Highway 12 (passes, pass) through vast open spaces.

31. All the data (proves, prove) I’m right.

32. None of the content in these ten sentences (is, are) familiar to all Americans.

33. Someone (needs need) to inform consumers aout product safety and quality.

34. Some of the people (says say) we need better standards and more product regulation.

35. A good-sized piece of watermelon is left, but (is, are) there enough for four people?

36. I have some pencils, but there (is, are) not enough for all of you.

37. Lisa found five books, and some of them (is are) on our reading list.

38. Where are all the prizes? Most (has, have) already been won.

39. Most of the movie (was, were) shown at the wrong speed and couldn’t be seen.

40.