Lesson 2.3: Usage: Agreement, Verbs, and Pronouns

Introduction

In this lesson, students will explore the important concepts of subject-verb agreement, verb tense and form, and pronoun agreement and case. These are pivotal areas in English usage that are tested frequently on the ACT. By the end of this lesson, you will be equipped to identify common pitfalls and apply the rules of grammar correctly in various contexts. Our objectives include:

Understanding subject-verb agreement, verb tense and form, pronoun agreement and case.
Identifying common usage traps, including ambiguous pronoun references.
Matching verbs and pronouns to their correct subjects and antecedents across intervening text.
Selecting consistent and grammatical verb tense and pronoun forms.
Explaining the main ideas and terminology behind these concepts.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the verb of a sentence must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third person). This rule ensures clarity and precision in communication.

Understanding the Basics

A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example:

Singular: The cat (singular subject) runs (singular verb).
Plural: The cats (plural subject) run (plural verb).

In more complex sentences, the subject may not be immediately next to the verb, which can lead to confusion. For example:

Correct: The list of items is on the table.
Incorrect: The list of items are on the table.

In the above example, “list” is the subject and is singular, so “is” must be used instead of “are.”

Working Example

Consider the following sentence:

Sentence: The team of players (is/are) winning the game.

Step-by-step reasoning:

Identify the subject: “team” is the subject, not “players.”
Determine if it is singular or plural: “team” is singular.
Select the correct verb: “is” is the appropriate choice.

Correct Sentence: The team of players is winning the game.

Common Misconceptions

Many students mistakenly think that a compound subject is always plural.

Example: My friend and I (is/are) going to the concert.

Here, “my friend and I” is indeed a compound subject, but it is plural, and “are” is correct.

Verb Tense and Form

Verb tense indicates the time when an action takes place: past, present, or future. Correctly determining the appropriate tense helps in conveying the intended timeline of actions clearly.

Present, Past, and Future Tenses

Present: She walks to school.
Past: She walked to school.
Future: She will walk to school.

Working Example

Look at the following construction:

Sentence: By the time we get to the party, the guests (arrive/arrived) already.

Step-by-step reasoning:

Identify the time indicators: “by the time” suggests a future event relative to “get to the party.”
Use the correct form: The past participle is appropriate here: “will have arrived.”

Correct Sentence: By the time we get to the party, the guests will have arrived already.

Modifiers and Verb Forms

Verbs can also take various forms based on their function in a sentence. Misusing verb forms, such as gerunds and infinitives, can lead to grammatical errors.

Common Misuse Examples

Incorrect: I enjoy to play soccer.
Correct: I enjoy playing soccer.

Pronoun Agreement and Case

Pronouns are words that replace nouns in a sentence. Proper use of pronouns in terms of agreement with their antecedents and the right case is crucial for clear communication.

Pronoun Agreement

Pronouns must agree in number and gender with the nouns they refer to.

Example: Each student must submit his or her homework.

Here, “each” is a singular noun, so the pronouns “his or her” is used.

Case of Pronouns

Pronouns can function as subjects (nominative case), objects (objective case), or show possession (possessive case).

Nominative Example: I, you, he, she, we, they
Objective Example: me, you, him, her, us, them
Possessive Example: my, your, his, her, our, their

Working Example

Sentence: The teacher gave he and I a good grade.

Step-by-step reasoning:

Identify what case is needed: “he” and “I” are used incorrectly in the object position.
Choose the correct pronoun: “him” and “me” should be used instead.

Correct Sentence: The teacher gave him and me a good grade.

Ambiguous Pronoun Reference

An ambiguous pronoun reference occurs when it is unclear which noun a pronoun is referring to, leading to confusion.

Example: When the dog chased the cat, it jumped on the table.
Here, “it” is ambiguous: Did the dog or the cat jump?

To avoid ambiguity, be precise.

Revised: When the dog chased the cat, the cat jumped on the table.

Conclusion

In summary, this lesson has covered the critical aspects of subject-verb agreement, verb tense and form, and pronoun agreement and case. Understanding these concepts is essential for mastering the conventions of standard English that will be tested on the ACT. Regular practice will help reinforce these rules, enabling you to edit your writing effectively and make informed decisions on multiple-choice questions.

Study Notes

Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure verbs agree in number with their subjects.
Verb Tense: Choose the correct tense according to the timeline.
Pronoun Agreement: Pronouns must match their antecedents in number and gender.
Pronoun Case: Choose the right form (nominative, objective, possessive).
Avoid Ambiguity: Ensure pronouns clearly reference their nouns.