Nursing Preparation Study Guide

Nursing Preparation Study Guide • Collective nouns are plural – Some collective nouns such as poultry, gentry, cattle, vermin etc. are considered plural and require a plural verb. o Example: The poultry are sick. -- The cattle are well fed. § Note: Collective nouns involving people can work with both plural and singular verbs. o Example: Nigerians are known to be hard working Europeans who live in Africa • Nouns that are singular and plural – Nouns like deer, sheep, swine, salmon etc. can be singular or plural and require the same verb form. o Examples: The swine is feeding. (singular) -- The swine are feeding. (plural) -- The salmon is on the table. (singular) -- The salmon are running upstream. (plural) • Collective nouns are singular – Collective nouns such as Army, Jury, Assembly, Committee, Team, etc. should carry a singular verb when they subscribe to one idea. If the ideas or views are more than one, then the verb used should be plural. o Examples: The committee is in agreement in their decision. -- The committees were in disagreement in their decision. -- The jury has agreed on a verdict. -- The jury was unable to agree on a verdict. • Subjects links by “ and ” are plural – Two subjects linked by “and” always require a plural verb o Example: David and John are students. § Note: If the subjects linked by “and” are used as one phrase, or constitute one idea, then the verb must be singular. o Example: The color of his socks and shoe is black. § Note: Here “socks and shoe” are two nouns; however, the subject is “color” which is singular. 2.1.3 Formal and Informal Language Formal language and informal language are both two sets of language that are used to help us communicate and express our ideas. Formal language is typically used when writing, speaking with people we do not know well, or speaking about a serious topic. Formal language may also be used a sign of respect for others. Formal language does not use slang or contractions and the difficulty of the vocabulary is often increased. Informal language is used in more casual or personal settings. Vocabulary words are usually easier to comprehend and slang is acceptable. Look at the two sentences written below. Both sentences convey the same message, but the first sentence is formally written and the second sentence is informal. • We would love to request your presence at dinner this Friday. • We’d love it if you could come to dinner on Friday.

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