C

module 3

Subject-Verb Agreement and Pronoun Agreement

Subjunctive Mood

  • Definition: Subjunctive mood is used for contrary to fact conditions and expressions of doubt, wishes, or regrets.

  • Examples:

    • If I were a rich man, I wouldn't have to work hard. (contrary to fact)

    • I doubt that more money would be the answer. (expression of doubt)

    • I wish it were possible to take back my words. (expression of wish)

  • Context Usage:

    • Use subjunctive for unlikely contingencies.

      • If I were to marry a millionaire, I wouldn't have to worry about money.

    • Use indicative for likely facts.

      • If the bill passes as expected, it will provide an immediate tax cut.

Relative Pronouns and Subject-Verb Agreement

  • Definition: A pronoun that replaces a noun and connects details to the subject in a sentence.

  • Types of Relative Pronouns: Who, whom, whose, which, that.

  • Usage:

    • Example: Jenny lost her keys. Seth helped look for them.

      • Keys is the antecedent replaced by the pronoun them.

    • Relative clauses can provide additional information about a noun:

      • Gossip is a form of communication that is a waste of time and energy. (where that) connects gossip to additional information.

Agreement with Nouns and Antecedents

  • Relative Pronouns as Subjects: When a relative pronoun (who, which, that) serves as the subject of an adjective clause, it takes a singular or plural verb depending on the antecedent.

    • Singular Example: A vegetable that contains DDT can be harmful.

    • Plural Example: Vegetables that contain DDT can be harmful.

  • Examples of Agreement:

    • Mary is 1 of the students who have done honor to the college.

    • Mary is the only 1 of our students who has achieved national recognition.

Non-Restrictive vs. Restrictive Clauses

  • Essential Clauses: Add necessary information; cannot be omitted.

    • This is the house that had a great Christmas decoration.

    • Use relative pronouns to maintain clarity and specificity in sentences.

Special Cases in Subject-Verb Agreement

  • Nouns like civics, mathematics, measles, news: require singular verbs.

    • Example: The news is on at six.

  • Dollar amounts: singular when referring to the amount; plural when discussing dollars generally.

    • Example: $5 is a lot of money.

    • Example: Dollars are often used instead of rubles in Russia.

  • Expressions of Quantity:

    • Fractions, percentages, and indefinite quantifiers (all, few, many) must agree with the noun they describe.

    • Singular example: One third of this article is taken up with statistical analysis.

    • Plural example: One third of the students have graduate degrees.

  • Adjectives Used as Plural Nouns: Require a plural verb.

    • Example: The rich get richer.

Pronoun Agreement

  • Definition: Pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition, ensuring concise writing.

  • Types of Pronouns:

    • Subject pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)

    • Object pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them)

    • Possessive pronouns (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs)

Common Errors in Pronoun Agreement

  • Ensure agreement in number (singular vs. plural):

    • If a student wants to return a book, he or she must have a receipt.

    • If students want to return books, they must have receipts.

  • Indefinite Pronouns: Such as everybody, anyone, etc., are singular and require singular pronouns.

    • Example: Everyone ought to do his or her best.

  • Clarity: Avoid vague references; ensure pronouns clearly refer to specific nouns.

    • Example of vague: Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged.

    • Improved clarity: Although it hit the tree, the motorcycle wasn't damaged.

Compound Subjects and Pronoun Agreement

  • Use subject pronouns with compound subjects correctly.

    • Incorrect: My dad and me went to the store.

    • Correct: My dad and I went to the store.

Gender Neutral Pronouns

  • Recent usage: They, them, their as singular pronouns is becoming accepted for gender neutrality.

    • Example: The person feared for their safety.

Verbs with Relative Pronouns

  • Relative pronouns (who, which, that) must agree in number with their antecedent.

    • Example: Emily picked all of the flowers that were growing in the back garden. (Antecedent: flowers - verb: were)

Distinction Between Convince and Persuade

  • Convince: To cause someone to believe in the truth of something.

    • Example: He convinced her that the earth is round.

  • Persuade: To cause someone to do something through reasoning or argument.

    • Example: He persuaded her to join the club.

  • Key Distinction: Convincing involves changing belief, while persuading involves prompting action.