SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENTThe subject and the verb of a sentence must match in person (I, we, you, they, etc) and in number (singular or plural form of the verb be [am/are/is/was/were] and base form or 3rd person singular form with-s or es on all other verbs).Singular: The service desk is always busyPlural: The service desks are always busy

In the example below, specialist is plural, but team is singular. The verb must agree with team, which is the real subject of the sentence

Correct: A team of specialists is coming to our cliniccIncorrect: A team of specialists are coming to our clinic

Some nouns that are really singularSome nouns that are really plural

The united statesMeaslesHam and eggsNational autosPeopleThe policePhenomenacattle

Here are three nouns in question. Both the singular and plural verb forms are acceptable to many native speakers.Datum (singular), data (plural, but now considered singular by many English speaker)The data is/are ready to be analyzed nowMedium (singular), Media (plural, but now considered singular by many English speaker)The media has/have covered that story in detailBacterium (singular), bacteria (plural, but now considered singular by many English speaker)Bacteria exists/exist everywhere on our planet

Part 5: Incomplete SentencesChoose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence1. The manager from headquarters_________________us this afternoon(A) are visiting(B) is visiting(C) to visit(D) visiting

2. Everyone in these departments_________________assigned to the programming team(A) be(B) are(C) is(D) will

3. The police__________________ when the alarm goes off(A) arrive quickly(B) is arriving(C) arrives quickly(D) has arrived

4. International Communications_____________merging with ERI(A) is(B) are(C) are being(D) have

5. Every employee______________his own desk(A) get(B) gotten(C) getting(D) gets

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSCoordinating Conjunctions are used to join words, phrases and clauses of equal importance and whose functions are grammatically similarCoordinating Conjunction: andnorsoButforOryetPaired coordinating/conjunction:Either orNeithernorNot onlybut alsoBothand

Example: - The conference was long, but interesting - The keys are on the desk or in a drawer - She attached the file and she sent the e-mailProblem: The wrong coordinating conjunction may be usedSolution: Pay attention to the meaning of the conjunction

Incorrect: The meeting was interesting or productive Correct : The meeting was interesting and productive

Problem: The joined items may not be alikeSolution: Make them alike

Incorrect: The boss likes to type and proofreading her own lettersCorrect : The boss likes to type and to proofread her own letters The boss likes to type and proofread her own letters The boss likes typing and proofreading her own letters

Part 5: Incomplete sentenceChoose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.1. Would you like a room overlooking the park_______________the river?(A) but(B) so(C) or(D) that

2. My letters____________my phone calls have not been answered(A) or(B) and(C) but(D) so

3. Mr. Dairova will work the morning shift,____________he prefers to work in the evenings(A) but(B) or(C) when (D) and

4. Our hotel is located between the business district_______________the historical district(A) or(B) if(C) but(D) and

5. Dr. Corso can see you at 10.00________________at 10.30(A) or(B) and(C) but(D) though

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSSubordinating conjunctions are used to join clauses (not words or phrases) that have grammatically different functionsAfterbeforethatwhenAlthoughifthoughwhereAsonceuntilwhileBecausesince

Problem: The subordinating conjunction may be in the wrong clauseSolution: put the subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the subordinate clause

Incorrect: The mail arrived after the clerk stored itCorrect : After the mail arrived, the clerk stored it

Incorrect: While the copier broke, wewere typing the reportCorrect: The copier broke while we were typing the report

Problem: The wrong subordinating conjunctionmay be usedSolution: pay attention to the relationship between the two clauses

Incorrect: Because Ms. Do worked very hard, she did not receive a promotionCorrect : although Ms. Do worked very hard, she did not receive a promotion.

Part 5: Incomplete SentencesChoose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence1. ____________the team worked very hard, their proposal was not accepted(A) Because(B) Although(C) before(D) where

2. Mr. Atari started his company in the town___________he grew up(A) although(B) that(C) where(D) if

3. _________ Mr. Lafer joined our company, he had worked for our competitor(A) After(B) During(C) Before(D) While

4. Please sign for the package________it arrives(A) because(B) until(C) although(D) when

5. _____________Ms. Belazi missed her connection, she had to take a later flight(A) Although(B) Because(C) if(D) Where

CONDITIONAL SENTENCEProblem: The if clause of a real condition may not be in the present tenseSolution: Change the verb in the if clause to the present tense

Incorrect: I will call if the plane will be lateCorrect: I will call if the plane is lateCorrect: If the plane is late, I will call

Problem: The verb in the if clause is not in the past or past perfectSolution: Change the tense of the verb in the if clause. Pay attention to the form of would in the other clause

Incorrect: If I supervise the department, I would hire an assistantCorrect: If I supervised the department, I would hire an assistantCorrect: I would hire an assistant if I supervised the department

Problem: were is not usedSolution: Change the verb to were

Incorrect: If I am you, I would give the speechCorrect: If I were you, I would give the speech.

Part 5: Incomplete SentencesChoose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentences1. If the speaker____________ her presentation, she will have more confidence(A) prepared(B) prepares(C) had prepared(D) were preparing

2. If Mr. Muso____________the information with him, he would have given it to you(A) would have(B) had had(C) had(D) has

3. Ask me for help if you________________ the questionnaire(A) do not understand(B) Would not understand(C) Did not understand(D) Had not understood

4. If I____________ you, I would accept the position(A) am(B) were(C) would be(D) could be

5. _____________a message if you cant transfer the telephone call(A) take(B) will take(C) taken(D) would take