English Composition

English Composition Study Guide

Nouns Subject/predicate agreement: The number indicated by the subject and predicate have to agree. A singular noun gets a singular verb, while a plural noun gets a plural verb. For most verbs, the plural and singular forms are the same. However, in some cases, the verb takes the plural form. • The monkeys have escaped their cage. • The monkey has escaped his cage. Be particularly alert to number agreement when proofreading sentences where the subject and verb are separated by other words or phrases. • The monkeys , who are always causing trouble, have escaped their cage again. Some nouns cause confusion because they are singular but refer to a group (committee, family, or team). These nouns take the singular form of the verb. • The family of monkeys has escaped. Noun/pronoun agreement: A pronoun needs to agree in number with the noun it replaces. • The Smiths live next door to me. I have known them all my life. Be careful with singular nouns that refer to groups. • The committe e made a decision. It went home for the day immediately afterward. Possessive versus plural form: Writers are often confused about when to use -‘s. The plural form of a noun is formed by adding –s. The possessive form is formed by adding –‘s. • The boys ran down the street. • The boy’s mother yelled at him for running. Verbs Verb tense agreement: Within a sentence or paragraph, all verbs must agree in tense. Consistency in verb tense can prevent confusion. The following chart clarifies the different verb tenses. Tense Simple Progressive Perfect Perfect Progressive Present I dance I am dancing I have danced I have been dancing Past I danced I was dancing I had danced I had been dancing Future I will dance I will be dancing I will have danced I will have been dancing

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