SAMUEL MATSINHE

ELT-DAY SHIF-II-SEMESTER

Grammar exercises

I. Subject-verb agreement

A. Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.

The correct option is the verb bolded.

1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.

2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.

3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.

4. Either my shoes or your coat is, are) always on the floor.

5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.

6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.

7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.

8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.

9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.

10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.

11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.

12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.

13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.

14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?

15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's favorite
subject.

16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.

17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?

18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.

19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!

20. The committee (debates, debate1) these questions carefully.

21. The committee members (leads, lead) very different lives in private.

22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.

23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.

B. For each of the following, choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.

1.

A)  Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

B)  Every one of the shirts have a green collar.

2. 

A)  This singer, along with a few others, play the harmonica on stage.
B)  This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.

3. 

A)  Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach.
B)  Sandals and towels is essential gear for a trip to the beach.

4. 

A)  The president or the vice president are speaking today.

B)  The president or the vice president is speaking today.

5. 

A)  Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.

B)  Either Cassie or Marie pay the employees this afternoon.

6. 

A)  Either the sculpture or the paintings are in the museum

today.
B)  Either the sculpture or the paintings is in the museum today.

7. 
1
In British English you can also use it with plural verb.
A)  The coat or the hats are in that closet.
B)  The coat or the hats is in that closet.

8. 

A)  Neither she nor I is getting the lunch special.

B)  Neither she nor I am getting the lunch special.
C)  Neither she nor I are getting the lunch special.

9. 

A)  Each of the dancers twirls brilliantly.

B)  Each of the dancers twirl brilliantly.

10. 

A)  Mustard greens are my favorite vegetable.

B)  Mustard greens is my favorite vegetable.

11. 

A)  Everybody at the party was enjoying the food.

B)  Everybody at the party were enjoying the food.

II. Sentence fragments

A. The sentences below appeared in papers written by students. Act as their editor,
marking a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the
sentences in the group is a fragment. Could you tell these writers why the fragments are
incomplete sentences?

__F__ 1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad experience.

__F__ 2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to the
earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in the wind.

_C___ 3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other teachers
in that department, he did not encourage students' questions.

__F__ 4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was difficult to
distinguish between them.

___C_ 5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a steak dinner and a few
glasses of beer. After this meal, they were ready for anything.

__C__ 6. It can be really embarrassing to be so emotional. Especially when you are on your
first date, you feel that you should be in control.
__C__ 7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated, prestigious, and elite group of
readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true premise.

__F__ 8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football. To prove to himself and
his parents that he is a man.

__F__ 9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that we
would never enter that door in her home again.

_F___10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days at
fun-filled times of snowball fights. To think about this makes me happy.

__F__11. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife. Hoping
she would accept his apology.

__C__12. They were all having a good time. Until one of Joe's oldest and best friends had a
little too much to drink.

_F___13. Although it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour. My old rowboat
with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me.

__C__14. With my brother standing by my side, I reached for the pot handle. Tilting the pot
way too much caused the boiling water to spill.

__C__15. The small, one-story houses are all the same size and style. With no difference
except the color.

B. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.
1.
a. Mrs. Blanco gone to visit her mother at the hospital.
b. Finding a parking space there is usually easy during the week.
c. Driving in the city during the evening rush hour.

2.
a. To apply for a job at the new store in the mall.
b. Asking the interviewer how often he would have to work on weekends.
c. Shaking his new boss's hand, Tony knew he would like working there.

3.
a. By the time Frances found out how expensive the wallpapering job would be.
b. After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work herself.
c. Before picking out an interesting wallpaper pattern that went well with her furniture.

4.
a. Who borrowed Stefanie's car Saturday night.
b. The nineteen-year-old car looked out of place next to the new models.
c. Which the salesman was surprised to find in such good shape.

5.
a. While waiting for her neighbor to move the car that blocked the driveway.
 b. To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn.
c. By making sure that no one will park across the driveway again.

6.
a. Because Manuel was sure he had heard the same strange story many months ago.
b. Although I will never forget how cold we were when we lost our heat last winter.
c. Since Anna wasn't at the meeting, I took notes so that she wouldn't miss
anything.

7.
a. When my cousin moved to Troy, New York, after he finished school.
b. After he went to all the trouble of fixing up his apartment.
c. While living there, he made very few friends.

8.
a. My brother has been running a charter fishing boat for five years.
b. Many of his customers coming back three or four times over the summer.
c. His business been so busy that he has very little time for anything else.

9.
a. In the hiding place that Carl had been using for years to get away from the noisy
house.
b. By the time that everyone had quieted down, my favorite television show was
over.
c. Before planning another family get-together at the already crowded park.
10.
a. Although I knew she might wear something outrageous, I was still shocked by
her dress.
b. Because she didn't want to tell where she had bought the strange outfit.
c. When we finally heard that she had made the dress herself.

III. Run-ons

A. Read the following sequences, and decide if they are run-ons or not. If they are run-ons,
suggest a solution.

1. Judy leads a charmed life She never seems to have a serious accident.
2. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if the plane doesn't
land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
3. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.
4. Marcelino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could
always depend on.
5. Having prepared himself well for the realtor exams and having exhausted
everyone in the family with his requests that someone help him with the true-
and-false drills, Jeffrey, who had never been a particularly good student in
high school, knew he was ready to take on the greatest challenge of his life.
Throughout history money and religion were closely linked there was little
distinction between government and religion.
 6. The head of state and the religious leader were often the same person all
power rested in one ruler.
7. These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money their
backing encouraged public faith in the money.
8. Coins were minted of precious metals the religious overtones of money were
then strengthened.
9. People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in money
intensified its allure.

1. Judy leads a charmed life. She never seems to have a serious accident.
Judy leads a charmed life as she never seems to have a serious accident.

2. The show begins at 7:30, so make sure you're there before 7:15.
The show begins at 7:30. Make sure you're there before 7:15.

3. Marcelino always knew his way around the woods. This is something he could always
depend on.
Marcelino always knew his way around the woods, and this is something he could
always depend on.

4. Throughout history money and religion were closely linked. There was little
distinction between government and religion.
Throughout history money and religion were closely linked, bacause there was little
distinction between government and religion.

5. The head of state and the religious leader were often the same person. All power
rested in one ruler.

Although the head of state and the religious leader were often the same person, all
power rested in one ruler.

6. These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money. Their backing
encouraged public faith in the money.
These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money. Their backing
encouraged public faith in the money.

7. Coins were minted of precious metals, and the religious overtones of money were
then strengthened.

Coins were minted of precious metals. The religious overtones of money were then
strengthened.

B. Each sentence below is a run-on. Choose the answer that corrects the run-on so that the
run-on becomes a complete sentence.
1.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I regret I
didn't listen to her.
 a.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours this semester,
and now I regret not having listened to her.
b.) When my academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours this
semester, and I now regret not having listened to her.
c.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours this semester,
now I regret that I did not listen to her.

2.) My cat was upset all day he didn't get canned food for breakfast.
a.) My can was upset all day. Because he did not get canned food for
breakfast.
b.) My cat was upset all day because he did not get canned food for
breakfast.
c.) Because my cat was upset today and did not get canned food for breakfast.

3.) The student fell asleep in class everyone thought this was rude behavior.
a.) The student fell asleep in class, and everyone thought this was rude
behavior.
b.) The student was falling asleep in class, and although everyone thought this
was rude behavior.
c.) Even though the student fell asleep in class, and everyone thought this was
rude behavior.

4.) Ron was chopping the vegetables Ginny was boiling the rice.
a.) Ron was chopping the vegetables, and Ginny was boiling the rice.
b.) When Ron was chopping the vegetables and Ginny was boiling the rice.
c.) Ron was chopping vegetables and while Ginny was boiling the rice.

5.) When we wanted to drive to the park we followed the direction from our neighbors we
ended up in Canada instead.
a.) When we wanted to drive to the park, we followed the directions we
received from our neighbors and ended up in Canada instead.
b.) We wanted to drive to the park as we followed the directions we received
from our neighbors we ended up in Canada.
c.) Because we wanted to drive to the park and got wrong directions and
ended up in Canada.

6.) Peggy is a writing instructor she knows how to write a brilliant essay.
a.) Because Peggy is a writing instructor and knows how to write a brilliant
essay.
b.) Peggy who is a writing instructor and knows how to write an essay.
 c.) Peggy is a writing instructor. She knows how to write a brilliant essay.

7.) I prefer walking riding the bike hurts my knees.

a.) I prefer walking. So riding the bike hurts my knees.
b.) I prefer walking for riding the bike hurts my knees.
c.) Since riding the bike hurts my knees and I prefer walking.

8.) The anatomy test was very hard Joann got an A.

a.) Just as Joann got an A in the very hard anatomy test.
b.) Because the anatomy test was hard, and Joann got an A.
c.) Although the anatomy test was very hard, Joann got an A.

9.) The ability to write a good essay is essential you need to take writing intensive English
classes.
a.) Due to the fact that the ability to write good essays is essential and you
need to take writing intensive English classes.
b.) You need to take writing intensive English classes due to the fact that the
ability to write a good essay is essential.
c.) Since you need to take writing intensive classes, and the ability to write a
good essay is essential.

10.) My friend is in jail, but he is not a dangerous criminal he is an undercover agent.

a.) Because my friend is an undercover agent who is in jail right now and not
a dangerous criminal.
b.) My friend who is in jail right now is not a dangerous criminal, but an
undercover agent.
c.) My friend is in jail because he is an undercover agent he is not a dangerous
criminal.

IV. Comma splices

Decide if the sentence is a comma splice or a complete sentence

1.) John is always late for work, nobody seems to care.

a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

2.) Hot summer weather is nice, high temperatures are dangerous for certain people.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence
3.) Emily broke her ankle on the weekend; now she is in a great deal of pain.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

4.) Driving the car is fast and comfortable, riding the bicycle is better for one's
health.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

5.) When a student likes his class, he is more likely to achieve good grades.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

6.) Jarod had an interview with a television company, I might get a job as his
assistant.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

7.) After I was paid last week, I was able to do the grocery shopping.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

8.) Due to the fact that I am busy this week, I don't have time for sports.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

9.) Whenever Janis does not sleep enough, she gets a horrible migraine.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

10.) The air conditioner is too loud, Cleo can't sleep.

a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence