H Flashcards
What is Rule 1 of Subject Verb Agreement?
When the subject in a sentence is singular, the verb should also be singular. When the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.
Example: She (singular subject) goes (singular verb), not: She go (plural verb). The girls (plural subject) go (plural verb), not: The girls goes (singular verb).
What is Rule 2 regarding Subject and Object concord?
When everybody or everyone is used, the object must be singular, not plural.
Example: Everybody knows his or her name, not: Everybody knows their name.
What is Rule 3 about Mandative subjunctive concord?
When prayer, suggestion, wish, demand, recommendation, or resolution is used, the verb that follows must be plural, regardless of the subject’s number.
Examples: 1. It has been suggested that he go, not goes. 2. The board has recommended that the manager resign, not resigns. 3. I pray that God help me, not helps.
What does the Principle of Proximity state?
When there is a list of nouns or pronouns at the level of the subject, the nearest noun or pronoun to the verb determines the choice of the verb.
Example: If James fails his examination, his teachers, his parents, his friends blame. The correct option is ‘is’ not ‘are’ because the nearest subject is John.
