What is “subject/verb agreement”?

2014-04-24T15:51:13Z

Tarabrose: /* Compound Subjects */

What is “subject/verb agreement”?

2014-04-24T15:49:51Z

Tarabrose: /* Intervening Expressions */

Making sure that the subject and verb agree in a sentence is important. When they agree correctly they will make the essay or report easier to read and understand. There are a few techniques that will need to be taken to ensure the subject and verb are in agreement.The verb in every independent or dependent clause must agree with its subject in person or number.

'''The two numbers are:'''
*'''singular'''- indicating one person or thing
*'''plural'''- indicating more than one person or thing

For the subject and verb to agree in singular or plural subjects, they must have a singular or plural verb <ref>Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell., ''The Concise Wadsworth Handbook''. Instructor's Ed. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005, p.240. [http://www.amazon.com/Concise-Wadsworth-Handbook-Laurie-Kirszner/dp/142829192X]</ref>. The subject takes the base form of the verb in all but the third person singular to make the subject and verb agree in person. The subject and verb must comply in number. In third person singular add an ''s'' or ''es'' to the base form of the verb to make both the subject and verb agree.

'''Example:''' The dog jumps the fence.
*The subject is: '''dog'''
*The verb is: '''jumps'''

'''Example:''' The dogs jump the fence.
*The subject is: '''dogs'''
*The verb is: '''jump'''

==Compound Subjects==

Eugenia Butler states in her book ''Correct Writing'', "Compound subjects joined by "and" normally require a plural verb" <ref>Butler, Eugenia, et al., ''Correct Writing''. 6th Ed. Lexington: D.C. Hath and Company, 1995, p.143-145. [http://www.amazon.com/Correct-Writing-Eugenia-Butler/dp/0669340731]</ref>. The only instance when this is not applicable and the subjects are considered singular is when the subjects refer to the same individual or object.

'''Remember:''' "Nouns joined by '''"and"''' are thought of as a unit or actually refer to the same person or thing, the verb is normally singular".

*'''Example:''' My friend Jenn and colleague Sarah are going on vacation.

*'''Example:''' The restaurant owner and head chef is coming to the party. (referring to the same person, '''singular''')

When compound subjects joined by '''“or”''' or '''“nor”''', the verb follows the nearest subject.

*'''Example:''' My brother or sister is throwing me a party. (nearest subject, sister, is '''singular''')

*'''Example:''' Neither my boss or co-workers are feeling well today. (nearest subject, co-workers, is '''plural''')

==Verb Preceding the Subject==

Verbs sometimes come before the subject. This change in order can lead to error in agreement. It is sometimes difficult to remember when the verb comes before the subject.
Below you will find some guidelines and examples to help you.

In normal everyday English, verbs precede the subject.

'''To make questions''' "Does he?" "Can you?"

'''After 'so' 'neither', 'nor'''' "So do I", "Neither do I", "Nor do I"

In written English, as well as in a very formal style, the verb precedes the subject is in the following cases:

'''After negative adverbial expressions'''

*Under no circumstances ''can we'' accept cheques.

*In no way ''can he'' be held responsible.

*At no time ''did she say'''' she would come.

'''After adverbial expressions of place''' :

*Round the corner came the postman.

*On the doorstep was a bunch of flowers.

'''After 'seldom', 'rarely', 'never', in comparisons''' :

*''Seldom'' have I seen such a beautiful view.

*''Rarely'' did he pay anyone a compliment.

*''Never'' had I felt so happy.

'''After 'hardly', 'scarcely', 'no sooner', when one thing happens after another.''' :

*''Hardly had I begun'' to speak when I was interrupted.

*''Scarcely had we started our meal'' our meal when the phone rang.

*''No sooner had I arrived'' than they all started to argue.

'''After adverbial expressions beginning with 'only'''' :

*''Only'' after the meeting ''did I realize'' the importance of the subject.

'''After exclamations with 'here' and 'there'''' :

*''Here comes'' the winner!

*''There goes'' all our money!

==Intervening Expressions==

An intervening expression is an expression that describes the subject and should not affect the verb. These expressions are often mistaken for being the subject of the sentence. Verbs are sometimes separated by words that describe the subject. This can make it difficult to make sure that the subject and verb agree. The key is to make sure that the verb agrees with the subject and not with the word in the modifying phrase. When intervening words ending in "s", such as sometimes and always, the "s" ending still must appear on a present tense verb if the subject is singular.

'''Example:''' The evidence that they submitted to the judge was convincing.
*The subject is: '''evidence'''

*The verb is: '''was'''

The singularity of a subject is not changed by the introduction of phrases or clauses that appear to change the number of the subject.[http://www.bukisa.com/articles/89756_recognize-intervening-phrases-and-clauses]

'''Example:''' Exercise, along with proper rest, is vitally important.
*The subject is: '''exercise'''

*The Verb is: '''is'''

When intervening words ending in "s", such as sometimes and always, the "s" ending must be present on a present tense verb if the subject is singular.

'''Example:''' Her driver always makes wrong turns.

Other Common expressions that sometimes appear to change the number of the subject and verb include: ''in addition to'', ''accompanied by, ''as well as, ''plus'', and ''together with''.[http://dcpspublic.oncoursesystems.com/school/webpage/documents/G52aPC99cfTGA9dfPD/307078-420292/downloadFile.aspx]

==Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns==
Some pronouns are definite in the fact that they can replace a specific noun or another pronoun. But sometimes things aren’t so clear-cut. So what do we do for a pronoun when we find ourselves in this predicament? We will use indefinite pronouns. "Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things" <ref>Hacker, Diana. ''A Writer's Reference''. New York, Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2003. [http://books.google.com/books?id=g489u9j0XAMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Hacker,+Diana.+A+Writer%E2%80%99s+Reference&hl=en&sa=X&ei=U_1GU4yDO6vnsASEoIHQDw&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Hacker%2C%20Diana.%20A%20Writer%E2%80%99s%20Reference&f=false]</ref>.Some of these indefinite pronouns are always singular or always plural. But some can change their number—they can be either singular or plural, depending on the context.
There are two categories of indefinite pronouns. The first category includes pronouns that refer to a nonspecific noun. These pronouns are:
''anything'',''somebody'', ''no one'', and ''something''. An example sentence using the first category of indefinite pronouns is:

*Somebody is at the door

The second category of indefinite pronouns are those that point to a specific noun whose meaning is easily understood only because it was previously mentioned or because the words that follow the indefinite pronoun make it clear. These pronouns are: ''both'', ''all'', ''few'', and ''either''. An example sentence using the second category of indefinite pronouns is:

*Both do well at taking tests.

==External Links==

*[http://www.dianahacker.com/writersref Diana Hacker's Companion Site].
*[http://college.cengage.com/english/raimes/digitalkeys/keyshtml/subject3.htm Subject Verb Agreement: Intervening Words].
*[https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/599/01/ Purdue University Online Writing Lab].
*[http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm Guide to Grammar and Writing: Subject Verb Agreement].
*[http://www.towson.edu/ows/moduleSVAGR.htm Self Teaching Unit: Subject Verb Agreement].
*[https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcoschools.us/rosado-grammar-expert-site/subject-verb-agreement-1--indefinite-pronouns Rosado Grammar Expert Site].

==References==
<references/>

What is “subject/verb agreement”?

2014-04-24T15:48:44Z

2014-04-18T19:01:12Z

Tarabrose:

Hypertext Fiction is a [[genre]] of interactive literature that uses hypertext links to direct the reader into sometimes complex passages throughout a story. These hypertext links can also lead the reader to analogous images. Some hypertext fiction stories are scripted in a fashion that allows the reader to have a different encounter each time the story is read. The reader does not follow a continuous path, but, instead, experiences the story on an interactive basis, as one trying to solve a puzzle or follow a map. The reader is given links to explore, creating a new experience when new directions are chosen.

== '''History''' ==
Hypertext Fiction began circulating in the late 1980’s via floppy disk through a small community of writers, before the existence of the World Wide Web. The author considered to have written the first hypertext fiction literature is English Professor Michael Joyce of Vassar College. The title of this piece is called, "[[Afternoon, a Story]]".

== '''Examples''' ==

From the story [http://www.glasswings.com.au/GlassWings/modern/24hours/ "24 Hours"] by Philippa J Burne

<blockquote>Trams clack past; cars jerk by, stopping, starting. The street is a mixture of dirt and slick. Sculptures sit on corners and hang over shop doors. Posters fill their spaces on pillars and walls advertising bands and readings and political action. Cafes and clothes racks spill onto the pavement, immersed in car fumes. Locals with somewhere to be weave past tourists gazing into shop windows; learnt stares of contempt meet glances of curiosity. You wander through it all; wonder about Jess. For two or so blocks you absorb the street without seeing, then get sucked in, you start looking, to be interested. To shop.

You pass a [http://www.glasswings.com.au/modern/24hours/bookshop.htm "bookshop"], a [http://www.glasswings.com.au/modern/24hours/candleshop.htm "candle shop"], a [http://www.glasswings.com.au/modern/24hours/cafe.htm "cafe"] , a [http://www.glasswings.com.au/modern/24hours/flowershop.htm "shop full of flowers".] </blockquote>

[http://www.sunshine69.com/noflash.html “Sunshine 69”] by Bobby Rabyd

[http://collection.eliterature.org/1/works/joyce__twelve_blue.html “Twelve Blue”] by Michael Joyce

=='''Software'''==

Hypertext fiction pieces were written using such softwares as Cosmic Book and Storyspace. These softwares were designed for the sole use of creating and navigating hypertext fictions. Currently, almost all hypertexts fictions are written in the HTML language.

=='''Works Cited'''==

* Basaraba, N. (2013, October 23). Examples of hypertext fiction – how to write hypertext narratives?. [http://nicolebasaraba.com/examples-hypertext-fiction-write-hypertext-narratives/ Retrieved from]
* Clark , L. Hyper-what?: Some views on reader discomfiture with hypertext fiction. [http://kairos.technorhetoric.net/4.1/coverweb/clark/ Retrieved from]
* Montecino, V. (2002, May). What is hypertext?. Retrieved from [http://mason.gmu.edu/~montecin/hypertext.htm Retrieved from]
* O’Connell, L. (2012, March 21). Hypertext fiction. Retrieved from [http://diginarrate.net/2012/03/21/hypertext-fiction-by-liamorourke/ Retrieved from]