ISL WEEK 1 SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

The subject and the verb must agree in number: both must be singular or both must be plural. Students have problems with subject verb agreement when the verb is a form of be or have, or when the verb is in present tense. Rules for subject verb agreement 1. When words like the following are used as subjects, they take singular verb. Everybody Everyone Everything Anybody Anyone Anything Somebody Someone Something Nobody No one Nothing Each Either Neither

Everybody knows the answer. Nobody speaks German here. Somebody was in the room.

2. When every and each come before a singular subject joined by and, the verb is singular. Every man and woman has the right to vote. Each student and teacher was aware of the difficulty.

3. Prepositional phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject. The teacher as well as the students was working on the problem. The mother together with her children is waiting. o o o o o Some examples of prepositional phrases that function like that are: As well as In addition to Together with Along with Except

4. When the verb comes before the subject as in there or here sentences, it agrees with the subject that immediately follows the verb. There is a tree in the garden. There are many trees in the garden. There is a pine tree and some oaks in the garden.

There goes the cat. There seems to be a relationship. There arise problems. There arises a problem.

5. Introductory it is always singular. It is my sister who works in the hospital. It is my cats which cause the trouble.

6. Subjects joined by and take a plural verb (except for number 2). My sister and brother live in Berlin. Both the teacher and the student were surprised.

7. Several, many, both, few are plural words and take a plural verb. Both are happy with the grades they got. Many were lost on the way. Few have done their homework.

8. Some nouns are always plural and always take a plural verb. Trousers, pants, slacks, shorts, briefs, jeans Glasses, sunglasses Scissors, pliers, tweezers

My jeans are old. This year shorts are in fashion. Where are my scissors?

9. Some words such as none, any, all, more, most, some, majority, half may take either singular or plural verbs depending on the meaning. All the money has been spent. All of the students know the answer.

10. When subjects are joined by words such as neither, either, not only the verb must agree with the closer subject. Either the man or his wife knows the answer. Either the man or his friends know the answer. Either the children or the man knows the answer.

11. Collective nouns are usually singular when regarded as a unit. My family lives in Ankara. Our team has won every game this year. Sometimes when the members are seen as functioning independently, these collectnouns may be plural. My family have a lot of money. (members of my family) Our team are working hard to win every game they play. (team members) Some collective nouns in this group are: Family, team, crew, class, government, committee

12. Some nouns have the same singular and plural form. They take singular or plural verb depending on the meaning. This species of monkeys lives only in India. There are many species of monkeys. Some nouns in this group are: Species, series, deer, fish, sheep

13. Expressions stating amount of time, money, weight, volume are plural in form but take a singular verb as in: Three weeks is a long time. Two hundred dollars is a lot of money.

14. Some nouns look plural with s but they take a singular verb.

Sciences Physics Mathematics Statistics Economics

Abstract nouns News Politics Ethics

Diseases Measles Mumps

Maths is found difficult by many students. Statistics requires complicated methods.

15. Generic references with the require plural verb. The rich are not always happy. The young like to listen to loud music. The old hate loud music. The English are distant and the French are humorous.

16.Note the use of foreign plurals. Singular Analysis Thesis Crisis Basis Parenthesis Curriculum Memorandum Datum Bacterium Medium Criterion Phenomenon Stimulus Radius Syllabus Plural Analyses Theses Crises Bases Parentheses Curricula Memoranda Data Bacteria Media Criteria Phenomena Stimuli Radii Syllabi

Dont forget that some common English words have irregular plurals.

Singular Plural Child Person Children People

18. A relative pronoun takes a singular or plural verb depending on which noun it modifies. Lisa is one of the students who have passed with an A. (Many students passed with an A, Lisa is one of them.) Lisa is the only one of my students who has passed with an A. (Only Lisa passed with an A.)

Some of the rules for subject verb agreement in this paper have been adapted from Building Skills for the TOEFL by C. King and N. Stanley, Nelson, 1989 Written by Zeliha Gulcat, July 2004 http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/grammar/writing%20guides/SUBJECT%20VERB%20AGREE MENT.htm

ISL WEEK 2 SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT (EXERCISES) Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence. Don't use the HINT buttons unless you really need them. 1. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator ____ going to have to make a decision. A. is B. are 2. ______ my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance? A.Is B.Are 3. Some of the votes __________ to have been miscounted. A. seem B. seems 4. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance. A. are B. is 5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time. A. have B. has 6. Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________ a formidable opponent on the basketball court. A.presents B. present 7. He seems to forget that there __________ things to be done before he can graduate. A. are B.is

8. There _______ to be some people left in that town after yesterday's flood. A.have B. has 9. Some of the grain __________ to be contaminated. A. appear B. appears 10. Three-quarters of the students __________ against the tuition hike. A. is B. are 11. Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike. A. is B. are 12. A high percentage of the population _________ voting for the new school. A. is B. are 13. A high percentage of the people _________ voting for the new school. A.was B. were http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/sv_agr_quiz.htm?cgi_quiz_form=1

Choose the correct verb in each sentence below. 1. Emily and Greg (comes, come) to my house every Friday for lunch.

2. There (is, are) time to watch the movie.

3. My friends who are in the band (wants, want) me to play a musical instrument.

4. My father or my brothers (is, are) coming with me to the ball game.

5. Everyone (needs, need) time to relax.

6. That bag of oranges (looks, look) fresh.

7. The lacrosse team (hopes, hope) to win the tournament next week.

8. Your trousers (needs, need) to be cleaned.

9. Some of the books on the shelf (is, are) dusty.

10. Even though the students like the class, a few (thinks, think) that it is too complicated. http://wwwnew.towson.edu/ows/_vti_bin/shtml.dll/exercisesub-verb.htm

ISL WEEK 3 PHRASAL VERB Verb

ask someone out

Meaning
invite on a date

Example
Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie. I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet. Your purchases add up to $205.32. You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out. My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job. The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence. We called around but we weren't able to find the car part we needed I called the company back but the offices were closed for the weekend. Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love with his fianc The professor called on me for question 1. We called on you last night but you weren't home. Give me your phone number and I will call you up when we are in town

ask around

ask many people the same question equal

add up to something

back something up

reverse

back someone up

support

blow up

explode

all around

phone many different places/people . return a phone call

call someone back

call something off

cancel

call on someone

ask for an answer or opinion

call on someone

visit someone

call someone up

phone

ISL WEEK 5 MOOD Types Declarative Forms Is also called a statement Functions States or tells information. Always ends with a period Asks a question. Always ends with a question mark Gives an order Ends with a period or exclamation point. Expresses strong emotion. Always ends with an exclamation point.

Interrogative

Is also called a question.

Imperative

Is also called a command

Exclamatory

Is also called an exclamation.

Identify and label each sentence as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. 1. Where is my shovel? A: interrogative

2. This is the most beautiful lawn I have ever seen. A: declarative

3. Please pass the lemonade. A: imperative

4. My arms ache from digging the flower beds! A: exclamatory

5. It takes hard work to plant all of these flowers. A: declarative

6. Could you please give me the hose? A: interrogative

7. I am going to climb that tree. A: declarative

8. The view from the top of this tree is amazing. A: declarative

9. I can't get down! A: exclamatory

10. Please help me to climb down this tree. A: imperative http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/types-of-sentences.html

Identify and label each sentence as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. Write the correct punctuation mark after each sentence. 1. This summer, my family will travel to Greece A: statement, period . 2. I am so excited A: exclamatory, exclamation mark ! 3. Do you know where Greece is A: interrogative, question mark ? 4. Greece is home to many archaeological monuments A: statement, period . 5. You should read Greek mythology A: statement, period . 6. Greek mythology is full of adventures and legends A: statement, period . 7. Hercules, Achilles, and Perseus are all heroes found in Greek mythology A: statement, period . 8. Reading mythology will get you excited about traveling A: statement, period . 9. Would you enjoy a trip to Greece A: interrogative, question mark ? 10. Come with us A: imperative, period . http://grammar.about.com/od/sentencecombining/a/Exercise-In-Identifying-SentencesBy-Function.htm

Use the pull-down menus to identify each sentence below as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. 1. Who was the first female astronaut?

A: interrogative 2. Buckle your seatbelt even for short trips.

A: imperative 3. Please put the stamped envelopes in this box.

A: imperative 4. You must be joking!

A: exclamatory 5. What a thrill that ride was!

A: exclamatory 6. In 1776, there were fifty-three newspapers in London.

A: declarative 7. Who were the first people to use paper money?

A: interrogative 8. Insert the diskette in this slot.

A: imperative 9. Insects outnumber people by millions to one.

A: declarative 10. What an amazing story that is!

A: exclamatory http://www.phschool.com/atschool/writing_grammar_08/grade6/exercise_bank/chapter 21/wag6_act_21-1a_ans.cfm

ISL WEEK 6 1. What are other coordinating conjunctions of English? 2. Why are they labelled coordinating conjunctions? Coordinating Conjunctions The short, simple conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions": and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar. A coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and structure: + Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]: I like [tea] and [coffee].

[Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee]. Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join. When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction: I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian at university.

However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential: She is kind so she helps people.

When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional: He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum. He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/conjunctions-coordinating.htm

Conjunctions are joining words and their main function is to link together two different parts of a sentence. And / but / or (coordinating conjunctions) And, but and or are the three main coordinating conjunctions. They join two clauses which are grammatically independent of each other and would make sense if they stood alone. Compare the following: She's already had two holidays this year and now she wants another one. She's already had two holidays this year. Now she wants another one. I had a terrible cold last week, but I still went to work. I had a terrible cold last week. I still went to work. You can sit at the front, or you can stand at the back. I don't mind. You can sit at the front. You can stand at the back. I don't mind.

But note they way in which conjunctions help to add meaning to the sentence. And indicates that we are listing items or ideas, or means that we are discussing alternatives and but means that we are contrasting facts or ideas. *Note also that in the second of the two coordinating clauses, the subject words and modal auxiliaries can often be left out: She's already had two holidays this year and now wants another one. I had a terrible cold last week, but still went to work. You can sit at the front or stand at the back. I don't mind. This is not normally possible in subordinate clauses. Compare the following: She was anxious and unhappy and didn't know where her husband was. She was anxious and unhappy because she didn't know where her husband was.

(NOT: She was anxious and unhappy because didn't know where her husband was.) If / when / because / since / even though / etc (subordinating conjunctions) Words like if, when, because, since, although, etc, are subordinating conjunctions which introduce subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses are dependent on the main clause in some way and do not normally stand alone. Note the way in which subordinating conjunctions also give meaning to the sentence: * if suggests a condition * when / whenever indicate time * while suggests time or contrast of surprising facts

* because points to reason * since suggests reason or time * as suggests reason or time * although / though / even though all indicate a contrast of surprising facts Compare the following examples of use and note the way the same conjunction (e.g. while, since, as) can be used for different purposes. Subordinating clauses of this kind can normally go first or last in the sentence, depending on what you want to emphasize: If you feel thirsty or hungry, help yourself to anything at all in the fridge or freezer. - Help yourself to anything at all in the fridge or freezer, if you feel hungry or thirsty. While they were away, I helped myself to an ice-cold beer and a pizza from the freezer. - I helped myself to an ice-cold beer and a pizza from the freezer while they were away. Whenever I babysit at their house, I am always very well looked after. - I am always very well looked after whenever I babysit at their house. When I babysat for the Robinsons last month, I was given nothing to eat or drink. - I was given nothing to eat or drink when I babysat for the Robinsons last month. While I am fond of their children, I think the parents are very mean. - (BUT NOT: I think the parents are very mean while I am fond of their children) Since I started working full-time, I don't have so much time now for babysitting. - I don't have so much time now for babysitting since I started working full-time. Because / since / as I work six days a week, I can't even find time to see my friends. - I can't even find time to see my friends as I work six days a week. As I was leaving work the other day, I bumped into an old friend. - I bumped into an old friend as I was leaving work the other day. Although I am happy with my life, I think I should try and get out more. - I think I should try and get out more, even though I am happy with my life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv231.shtml

ISL WEEK 7 1. What are subordinating conjunctions? 2. How do they differ from coordinating conjunctions. The Subordinate Conjunction Some sentences are complex. Such sentences have two clauses, one main [or independent] and one subordinate [or dependent]. These are the patterns for a complex sentence: main clause + + subordinate clause. subordinate clause + , + main clause.

The essential ingredient in a complex sentence is the subordinate conjunction: after although as because before even if even though if in order that once provided that rather than since so that than that though unless until when whenever where whereas wherever whether while why

The subordinate conjunction has two jobs. First, it provides a necessary transition between the two ideas in the sentence. This transition will indicate a time, place, or cause and effect relationship. Here are some examples: Louisa will wash the sink full of her dirty dishes once her roommate Shane cleans his stubble and globs of shaving cream from the bathroom sink. We looked on top of the refrigerator, where Jenny will often hide a bag of chocolate chip cookies. Because her teeth were chattering in fear, Lynda clenched her jaw muscle while waiting for her turn to audition.

The second job of the subordinate conjunction is to reduce the importance of one clause so that a reader understands which of the two ideas is more important. The more important idea belongs in the main clause, the less important in the clause introduced by a subordinate conjunction.

Read these examples: As Samson blew out the birthday candles atop the cake, he burned the tip of his nose on a stubborn flame. - Burning his nose > blowing out candles. Ronnie begins to sneeze violently whenever he opens the door to greet a fresh spring day. - Sneezing violently > opening the door. Even though Dana persevered at the calculus exam, she was only adding another F beside her name in Dr. Armour's grade book. - Adding another F > persevering at the exam.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subordinateconjunction.htm

Subordinating Conjunctions

The majority of conjunctions are "subordinating conjunctions". Common subordinating conjunctions are: after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while

A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause: +

Look at this example: main or independent clause Ram went swimming subordinate or dependent clause although it was raining. subordinating conjunction

A subordinate or dependent clause "depends" on a main or independent clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine that somebody says to you: "Hello! Although it was raining." What do you understand? Nothing! But a main or independent clause can exist alone. You will understand very well if somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram went swimming." A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can sometimes come after and sometimes before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible:

+ Ram went swimming although it was raining.

Although it was raining, Ram went swimming. http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/conjunctions-subordinating.htm

Subordinating conjunctions Introduce a dependent clause and link it to an independent clause. Use a subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause. Place the comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence. - Ex: Whenever Lynn has a break, she takes a walk around the block. Generally, do not use a comma before a dependent clause that appears at the end of a sentence. - Ex: Our company hired Jack because he has strong conflict resolution skills.

Coordinating conjunctions Use nor to make a second choice negative. Do not use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that links two words or phrases. Do not use a comma before a conjunction if the material following the conjunction is not a complete sentence. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. Include a comma before the coordinating conjunction. - Ex: Ways to reduce stress include yoga, meditation, and exercise. Do not place a comma after the last item in a series. - Ex: Joanne usually chooses soup, salad, or a pasta dish for lunch.

ISL WEEK 8 EXERCISES ON TYPES OF PHRASES 1. Houses are [unbelievably expensive] just now A: Adverb Phrase

2. We [met Paul] last week A: Verb Phrase

3. [A car that won't go] is not particularly useful A: Noun Phrase

4.

I enjoy eating [in Indian restaurants] A: Prepositional Phrase

5.

Don't you have to leave [early]? A: Adverb Phrase

6. Tell [him] not to worry A: Noun Phrase http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/phrases/ex4.htm

ISL WEEK 12

CLAUSES
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (main clause) DEPENDENT CLAUSE (subordinate clauses)

TIME CLAUSESE

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

NOUN CLAUSES

- act as simple nouns and -act as adverbs and

tell us when something happens. - They usually begin with words like : when before after as soon as until

-give information
about nouns (people, things, places, etc.) -They appear after the noun they describe -Adjective Clauses are also called RELATIVE CLAUSES.

identify persons, places, things, etc - They are introduced by words such as: how if that what when where whether which who whom whomever whose why

ISL WEEK 14 After she (had) came, she turned on the radio. After she comes, she will turn on the radio.

Before she came, she (had) turned on the radio. Before she comes, she will turn on the radio.

When he came, she was turning on the radio. When he came, she had already turned on the radio.

While she was listening to the radio, he knocked at the door. As she was listening to the radio, he knocked at the door.

By the time he came, she had already listened the news. By the time he comes, she will listen the news.

She listens to the radio whenever he comes. She hasnt listened to the radio since he came.

As soon as he knocks at the door, she will turn off the radio. Once he knocks at the door, she will turn off the radio.

He wont come as long as she smokes. He will never come so long as she doesnt call him.

Because he wanted to visit his friends, he went to Miami. He went to Miami because he wanted to visit his friends.

Because she was sick, she didnt come to attend the speech. Because of her sickness, she didnt come to attend the speech. Due to her sickness, she didnt come to attend the speech.

He worked very hard. Therefore, he passed his exams. He worked very hard. He, therefore, he passed his exams. He worked very hard. He passed his exams, therefore.

While Frank was reading, he felt very upset. While reading, Frank felt very upset.

ISL WEEK 15
Notes over Phrases and Clauses I. A phrase is a group of words that functions in a sentence as a single part of speech. Phrases do not contain a subject and a verb. II. Types of phrases A. Prepositional phrases: begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a pronoun B. Adjective phrase: a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun by telling what kind or which one. C. Adverb phrase: a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective or adverb. Adverb phrases point out where, when, in what manner or to what extent. D. Appositive phrase: a noun or a pronoun with modifiers. It is placed next to the word it is modifying to add information or details. E. Participial phrase: a present or past participle that is modified by an adverb or adverb phrase or that has a complement. The entire phrase acts as an adjective in the sentence. Note: A participle is a form of a verb that acts as an adjective. F. Gerund phrase: a gerund with modifiers or a complement all acting together as a noun. Note: A gerund is form of a verb that acts as a noun. G. Infinitive phrase: an infinitive with modifiers or a complement, all acting together as a single part of speech. Note: An infinitive is the form of a verb that comes after the word to and acts as a noun, an adjective or an adverb. III. A clause is a group of words within its own subject and verb. IV. Types of clauses: A. Independent clause: has a subject and a verb and can stand by itself as a complete sentence. B. Subordinate clauses: has a subject and a verb but cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence. C. Adjective clauses Modify nouns or pronouns Answer the questions: Which one? What kind? Usually starts with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) but can also start with an adverb such as when or where) D. Adverb clauses Modify verb, adjective or adverb Answer the questions: Where? When? In what manner? To what extent? Under what condition? or Why? Begin with a subordinate conjunction (Addams Family song) Classifying sentences by structure

A. B. C. D.

Simple sentence: has one independent clause Compound sentence: has two or more independent clauses Complex sentence: has one independent clause and one dependent clause Compound-Complex sentence: has two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/MrsStluka/english_notes.cfm?subpage=507208

A Background for Punctuation:

Understanding Clauses and Phrases A clause a phrase independent clause a group of words with a subject and a verb. a group of words that does not have both a subject and a verb An independent clause does not have a subordinator Kia gave Kierra help on the assignment. A dependent clause does have a subordinator. When Kia gave Kierra help on the assignment Obviously, a dependent clause is not complete by itself. subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun when, where, why, if, since, because, until, unless, how, before, after, that, than although, while, as, as if, as long as, once, whether who, whom, what, that, whose, which, whoever, whomever By the way, relative pronouns always have two functions in the clause. First, an RP functions like a conjunction, joined a dependent clause to an independent clause. Second, the RP will function as a pronoun would. As such, it could be a subject, a direct object, or anything else that a noun could be. Example: There is the dog that bit you. that joins the two clauses, and it functions as the subject of the second clause. that takes the place of dog in the second clause.

dependent clause

a subordinator subordinate conjunction

relative pronoun

Types of Phrases a prepositional phrase The most common type of phrase is the prepositional phrase. There are other types of phrases, however. A participle is a word that looks like a verb but acts like an adjective For example: Running down the street, Joe screamed a warning to the neighbors. Running is a participle because it describes Joe, just like an adjective. The participle Joe joined with the prepositional phrase down the street make up the whole participial phrase An infinitive is a verb with to in front of it: to run, to jump, to fly, to eat, to inquire. Infinitives(and participles for that matter) can have objects just like prepositions. Infinitives can function in many ways. The infinitive phrase in the next sentence is functioning as the direct object because it answers s + v + whom or what. I like to fly model airplanes. to fly is the infinitive. airplanes is the object of the infinitive. model is an adjective. A gerund is a verb that acts like a noun: Flying is Homer's ambition. Flying looks like a verb(it is), but it acts as the subject of this sentence. A gerund phrase can also have an object: Flying paper airplanes is Homer's ambition.

a participial phrase

an infinitive phrase

a gerund phrase

http://salem.k12.va.us/shs/moore/clausephrase.html

PHRASE
No subject or verb
Prepositional Phrase OR Infinitive OR

CLAUSES
Subject and verb

Dependent Claus

OR

Participle

acts

like

Independent Clause

Noun Adverb Adjective

Sentence
Composed of at least one independent clause