TOEFL Test: Section 2 - Part A

LOS CURSOS DE INGLES GRATIS PREFERIDOS POR LOS HISPANOHABLANTES

 

SECTION 2: STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION
 PART B: WRITTEN EXPRESSION

LESSON # 81

Agreement of modified subject and verb

REMEMBER:

In all patterns, there must be agreement of subject and verb.

Avoid using a verb which agrees with the modifier of a subject instead of with the subject itself.

Check these examples:

EXAMPLE # 1:

Incorrect:

Their knowledge of languages and international relations help them in their work.

Correct:

Their knowledge of languages and international relations helps them in their work.

EXAMPLE # 2:

Incorrect:

Everyone in the family, including the children, are going to the beach.

Correct:

Everyone in the family, including the children, is going to the beach.

 PLEASE NOTE: Children is plural and it is the noun closest to the verb, but children is not the subject of the sentence. Everyone is the singular subject of the sentence and are is the plural verb, so they are not in agreement. The verb should agree with the subject, no matter what modifying words or phrases come in between.

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