LESSON 3
Subject-Verb Agreement in Number (3) (Conjunction: liên từ) QUESTIONS:
1. How many types of conjunction in Lesson 3? What are they?
2. What type of verb (singular or plural) goes with each conjunction? I. Conjunctions
1.1. Coordinating conjunctions and & or: liên từ kết hợp S(and) + V(plural) S(or) + V(s2)
When the subjects in a sentence are joined by the conjunction and, a plural verb is
commonly used. When the subjects are joined by the conjunction or, their verb must agree
with the subject nearest to it.
The CEO and the manager are having a meeting now.
Three workers or one supervisor has to work on Saturdays.
1.2. Correlative conjunctions: liên từ tương quan
When the two subjects in a sentence are joined by correlative conjunctions, their verb
mostly takes the number of the subject nearest to it. In the following structures, the verb will agree with the subject B. Either A or B Neither A nor B
Either you or he needs to fill out this form. Not A but B
Neither he nor she is not coming to the seminar. Not only A but (also) B
Not only you but also Mr. Brown is responsible for the (as well) matter. B as well as A B along with A B with A B together with A B including/excluding A
SUMMARY: Correlative conjunctions:
A as well as (cũng như) B
Either A or B (hoặc A hoặc B) A along with (cùng với) B A or B (A hoặc B)
A together with (cùng với) B + V(A)
Neither A nor B (ko phải A cũng ko A with B (với) phải B) + V(B)
A including/excluding (cùng với/ trừ) B
Not A but B (ko phải A mà là B)
Not only A but (also) B as well (ko chỉ A mà còn B nữa)
Collective noun: couple, family, judge, council, staff, committee….
*singular noun (unit) + singular verb
*plural noun (members) + plural verb
A. Read the following sentences and correct the underlined parts in the space provided.
1. Jacky and Sam has agreed to extend the contract. ___HAVE_____
2. Neither she nor I commutes to work by subway. __ commute______
3. He or you is expected to do the presentation. ___ARE_____
4. His education and his work experience is suitable for this job. ___ARE_____
5. Either you or your boss have to take responsibility. ___HAS_____
6. Not only English but also French are necessary to do the job. ____IS____
B. Look at the hints given and choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1. The auditorium as well as the libraries ________ being renovated. A is B are C have D has 2. The directors
and the sales representatives ________ on a business trip every month. A B goes C go D is going going PRACTICE
I. Choose the correct option for each of the following sentences.
1. The piano as well as the pipe organ …………. to be tuned for the big concert. A has B have
2. The mayor together with his two brothers …………. going to be indicted for accepting bribes. A are B is
3. Neither of my two suitcases …………. adequate for this trip. A is B are
4. There …………. a list of committee members on the head-table. A are B is
5. Everybody in the class …………. done the homework well in advance. A has B have
6. The jury ………….their seats in the courtroom. A take B takes
7. Neither the teacher nor the students …………. to understand this assignment. A seem B seems
8. …………. either my father or my brothers made a down-payment on the house? A has B have
9. Hartford is one of those cities that …………. working hard to reclaim a riverfront. A is B are
10. Some of the grain …………. gone bad. A have B has
11. John or his brother …………. going to be responsible for this. A are B is
12. A few of the students …………. doing so well they can skip the next course. A are B is
13. Either the committee on course design or the committee on college operations …………. these matters. A decide B decides
14. One of my instructors …………. written a letter of recommendation for me. A have B has
15. Two thirds of the chocolate ................. been sold. A. have B. has
II. Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara (doesn't, ) want to see that movie. don't 6. Benito ( , don't) know the answer. doesn't
7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's favorite subject.
16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
S (measure: time, money, weight, depth, distance, temperature…): singular S
17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
21. The committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private.
22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.
23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.