MODULE 8: AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT OF SUBJECT AND VERB

Number is the form of a word that indicates whether the word is singular or plural.
8a When a word refers to one person, place, thing, or idea, it is singular in number.
When a word refers to more than one, it is plural in number.
8b A verb agrees with its subject in number.
Two words agree when they have the same number. The number of a verb must always agree
with the number of its subject.
(1) Singular subjects take singular verbs.
EXAMPLE The flag flies on holidays. [The singular verb flies agrees with the singular
subject flag.]
(2) Plural subjects take plural verbs.
EXAMPLE Some trees change color in the fall. [The plural verb change agrees with the
plural subject trees.]
When a sentence contains a verb phrase, the first helping verb in the verb phrase agrees with the
subject.
EXAMPLES The turtle is racing. The flight has been postponed.
The turtles are racing. The flights have been postponed.

EXERCISE 1 Recognizing Words as Singular or Plural

On the line before each of the following sentences, classify each italicized word by writing sing.
for singular or pl. for plural.
EX. sing. 1. Our library offers a huge selection of fiction.
___PL__ 1. Invented by an American minister in 1869, rickshaws now are banned in many
Asian cities.
__SING___ 2.________________________In the summer, the sun rises too early for me.

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_SING____ 3.________Inés spends her summer vacations on the Greek island of Aegina.
___PL__ 4. The musicians brought their own music to the tryouts.
__SING___ 5.____________The average porcupine has more than thirty thousand quills.

EXERCISE 2 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
For each sentence below, underline the subject of the sentence and the form of the verb in
parentheses that agrees with the subject.
EX. 1. The clouds (fill, fills) the sky.
1. It is amazing that oysters (create, creates) beautiful pearls.
2. They (join, joins) the choir for the holiday pageant.
3. In the spring, trees (sprout, sprouts) leaves quickly when it rains.
4. The Humane Society (has, have) worked for decades to protect animals.
5. Some canned foods (contain, contains) no salt.
6 Every morning my little brother (ask, asks) for oatmeal.
7. In India, they (serve, serves) chicken biriyani on special occasions.
8. I (like, likes) fish for lunch.
9. You (is, are) what you eat.
º 10. Alicia’s missing hamster (run, runs) out of the closet.
º 11. Eric (make, makes) a delicious salad with spinach and apples.
º 12. Tomorrow’s championship game (has, have) been rescheduled.
º 13. Each volunteer (promise, promises) six hours of service.
º 14. Concerned parents (is, are) encouraging their children to wear sunscreen.
º 15. The candles (glow, glows) brightly in the darkened room.

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
INTERVENING PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

8c The number of a subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject.

EXAMPLES The winner of those ribbons is the spaniel. [The verb is agrees with the subject
winner.]
The seventh-grade teacher, along with a few of her students, walks to school.
[The verb walks agrees with the subject teacher.]
Musicians from Peru and Ecuador have played in our auditorium. [The helping
verb have agrees with the subject Musicians.]

EXERCISE 3 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
In each of the following sentences, draw a line through the prepositional phrase or phrases
between the subject and verb. Underline the subject. Then underline the verb in parentheses that
agrees with the subject.
EX. 1. The city of Amsterdam (has, have) almost ninety islands.
1. Children from all over the neighborhood (wants, want) to attend the birthday party.
2. The library near the White House (contains, contain) more than twenty million books.
3. Derrick’s speech during the lunch period (was, were) heard down the hallway.
4. The Statue of Liberty in Paris, like the one in New York City, (stands, stand) on an island.
5. Loretta, along with her two friends, (eats, eat) tacos for lunch almost every day.
6. Those books next to the window (needs, need) dusting.
7. One of the wheels on my in-line skates (sticks, stick) when I skate.
8. Sheila, but not her brother, (is, are) working tomorrow.
9. The mountains in the distance (belongs, belong) to Italy.
º 10. The gentleman with the red bow tie (looks, look) like my father.

EXERCISE 4 Proofreading Sentences for Subject-Verb Agreement

Most of the sentences below contain errors in subject-verb agreement. If a verb does not agree
with the subject, write the correct form of the verb on the line before the sentence. Write C if a
sentence is correct.
EX. surrounds 1. A large sheet of ice surround the South Pole.
__is_____ 1. A continent of ancient forests are buried beneath the ice.
___live____ 2.__________Killer whales, along with leopard seals, lives in the Antarctic.

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__lies_____ 3.________The sea elephant, a good-natured creature, lie in the sun all day.
___weigh____4._______________These giants of the South Pole weighs a couple of tons.
____C___ 5. Sources of food are plentiful in the South Pole.
___C____ 6. The sea around the icecap is rich in fish and shrimp.
___live____ 7.____________________Penguins at the South Pole lives in huge groups.
____C___ 8. Penguins, with their black and white feathers, resemble men in tuxedos.
___grows____9.______The killer whale, among the largest animals, grow to be as long as
twenty-seven feet.
___remains____ 10._____________Many mysteries of the South Pole remains unsolved.

EXERCISE 5 Using Correct Subject-Verb Agreement

You are the manager of a toy store. You want to present your boss with a list of improvements
that could be made throughout the store. Create a list of comments that you have heard from the
customers about the toys, the employees, and the store itself. Then, on your own paper, write five
of these comments as complete sentences. Underline each subject once and each verb twice.
EX. 1. music too loud
1. The music in the store is too loud.

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
SINGULAR AND PLURAL INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Personal pronouns refer to specific people, places, things, or ideas. A pronoun that does not refer
to a definite person, place, thing, or idea is called an indefinite pronoun.

Personal Pronouns I we you it he she them

Indefinite Pronouns anyone both somebody each everyone

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

8d The following indefinite pronouns are singular: each, either, neither, one, everyone,
everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody.
EXAMPLES Each of the players wears a different hat.
Does anybody have the correct time?

EXERCISE 6 Choosing Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
In each of the sentences below, underline the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with the
subject. Remember that the subject is never part of a prepositional phrase.
EX. 1. Nobody in my classes (looks, look) like that!
1. One of the firefighters (have, has) the frightened dog.
2. Everyone in the front row (gets, get) wet on that ride.
3. Don’t take these lamps, because neither of them (works, work).
4. When I call that number, no one at your house (answers, answer).
5. Someone among the crowd of spectators always (catches, catch) those foul balls.
6. Each of the soldiers (guards, guard) a different door.
7. Somebody with good handwriting (writes, write) on the board.
8. Next time, everybody in both families (gets, get) a set of pictures.
9. Because those coins are gold, either of them (is, are) still valuable.
º 10. Anyone with scissors (is, are) able to learn origami.

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Plural Indefinite Pronouns
8e The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many, several.
EXAMPLES Few of my friends read science fiction.
Many of them like science-fiction movies, though.

EXERCISE 7 Choosing Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
In each of the sentences below, underline the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with the
subject. Remember that the subject is never part of a prepositional phrase.
EX. 1. Both of the countries (is, are) in Central America.
1. Very few of the streets (is, are) wide enough for automobiles.
2. Many of the boys (has, have) been to the science museum.
3. Several of the pictures (is, are) by Georgia O’Keeffe.
4. Few of the students in the contest (has, have) won a ribbon before.
5. Many of the newer kits (is, are) made of polyester film.
6. Several of the candidates (want, wants) to speak to you.
7. Both of the oil spills (was, were) finally cleaned up.
8. Several in my class (has, have) families in Mexico City.
9. Few of the workers (knows, know) when we will go to the new building.
º 10. Many of the blocks in the building (was, were) made of granite.
º 11. Few of these old books (is, are) still in print.
º 12. Many of the chairs (match, matches) this sofa.
º 13. Several of my friends (attends, attend) summer school.
º 14. Both of the notebooks (belong, belongs) to me.
º 15. (Does, Do) many of the students go home for lunch?

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
ALL, ANY, MOST, NONE, AND SOME

8f The indefinite pronouns all, any, most, none, and some may be either singular or
plural.

The number of the pronouns all, any, most, none, and some is determined by the number of the
object in a prepositional phrase following the subject. If the pronoun refers to a singular object, it
is singular. If the pronoun refers to a plural object, it is plural.
EXAMPLES Most of the meal is cooked. [Most is singular because it refers to one thing—the
meal. The verb is is singular to agree with the subject Most.]
Most of the dishes are already washed. [Most is plural because it refers to more
than one thing—dishes. The helping verb are is plural to agree with the subject
Most.]

EXERCISE 8 Choosing Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
In each of the sentences below, underline the form of the verb in parentheses that agrees with the
subject.
EX. 1. Some of the parks (looks, look) like gardens.
1. Most of the nearby cities (offers, offer) space for community gardens.
2. Some of my neighbors (works, work) on plots there.
3. All of my plot (has, have) sun most of the day.
4. Most of the families (raises, raise) food.
5. None of the parkland (is, are) wasted.
6. Some of the gardeners (grows, grow) flowers.
7. Today, all of the ground (seems, seem) to be covered with plants.
8. (Do, Does) any of these plants produce tomatoes?
9. Luckily, none of the plants (needs, need) extra care.
º 10. All of our tools (helps, help) us work quickly and easily.

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EXERCISE 9 Proofreading Sentences for Subject-Verb Agreement
Many of the sentences below have errors in subject-verb agreement. Draw a line through each
verb that does not agree with its subject. Write the correct verb form on the line before the
sentence. Write C if the sentence is correct.
EX. are 1. None of the instruments is brass.
_______ 1. Any of the songs sounds better on quality equipment.
_______ 2. Most of the hall get too warm in July and August.
_______ 3. None of the stage are used during our performance.
_______ 4. Some of the piano is painted with black enamel.
_______ 5. When it rains, all of the chairs stays dry under the canvas tent.
_______ 6. All of the piccolos join in with the other woodwinds.
_______ 7. Any of the music played on the flute are beautiful.
_______ 8. None of the students wants to leave early.
_______ 9. Most of the people likes summer concerts.
_______ 10. Some of my friends is here from Germany.

EXERCISE 10 Choosing Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
For each sentence below, underline the verb form in parentheses that agrees with the subject.
EX. 1. (Does, Do) any of those chairs seem ready to be painted?
1. All of your help at the church fair (was, were) appreciated.
2. Some of the clothes (is, are) dirty.
3. All of the actors (plays, play) more than one part.
4. Some of the water damage (appears, appear) on the ceiling.
5. None of the guests (writes, write) poetry.

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
REVIEW EXERCISE
A. Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their Subjects
For each sentence below, underline the verb form in parentheses that agrees with the subject.
EX. 1. One of Argentina’s most popular dance forms (is, are) the tango.

1. Most of Argentina (has, have) a mild climate.

2. Most of the people in my class (knows, know) that the early Spanish explorers gave
Argentina its name.
3. The Chaco, the north-central part of Argentina, (produces, produce) lumber.
4. One of the Chaco’s most important trees (is, are) the quebracho tree.
5. Many of the people in Argentina (vacations, vacation) at the beach.
6. Several of the beaches (extends, extend) for miles.
7. Some of the swimmers (enjoys, enjoy) riding the waves in the surf.
8. Because there are lifeguards on the beach, everyone (worries, worry) less about safety.
9. Does everybody (knows, know) that Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina?
º 10. Most of the southern tip of South America (is, are) occupied by Argentina.

B. Proofreading a Paragraph for Subject-Verb Agreement

In the following paragraph, draw a line through each verb that does not agree with its subject. In
the space above each incorrect verb, write the correct form. If a verb is correct, write C above it.
cover
EX. [1] Mountains covers a large part of the earth.
[1] Many people throughout history has been attracted to mountaintops. [2] Some of the

world’s most famous landmarks is mountains. [3] One of the most beautiful mountains are

Fujiyama in Japan. [4] Every summer, many men and women aim for the summit. [5] My aunt

want to climb it next summer. [6] Also, everyone in Ito’s family visit the top [7] Most of the

early climbers was men, because women were forbidden to climb the mountain until 1868.

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[8] The trip in the old days were difficult. [9] Now, however, several of the earlier problems no

longer exists. [10] For example, today many of the climbers can buy food along the way instead

of having to bring it.

C. Writing Background Information About Past Presidents

You are a television reporter covering the most recent presidential inauguration. Your job is to
provide background information about the last four presidents. This information will be used to
introduce the program.
1. First, use the internet, biographies, or reference books to learn some details about the past
four presidents. You may want to record some of these details on a chart like the one
below.

Presidents

Term of Office

Political Party

Background

Accomplishments

2. On your own paper, use the information you have gathered to write five sentences about these
past presidents. Think of ways to organize the information. For example, one way to organize is
to point out similarities and differences. Write complete sentences, and underline the subjects
once and the verbs twice.

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
COMPOUND SUBJECTS

8g Subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb.

EXAMPLE Justine and her brother like to paint. [Two people like to paint.]
8h A compound subject that names only one person or thing takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLE Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish. [One combination is meant.]
Law and order is a major concern for the city. [One topic is a concern.]

EXERCISE 11 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
For each of the sentences below, underline the correct form of the verb in parentheses. If you
choose a singular verb with any of these compound subjects, be prepared to explain why.
EX. 1. Photography and birds (is, are) two of my interests.

1. Josh and I (wants, want) to join the photography club at school.

2. My friend and his neighbor (is, are) giving a demonstration next week.
3. Mr. Tchong and his wife (is, are) both professional photographers.
4. Using digital cameras, he and she (takes, take) beautiful pictures of birds.
5. They recommend using a good telephoto lens because this (is, are) best for close-ups.
6. (Does, Do) Mr. Tchong and the students display their photographs at a gallery?
7. Mr. Tchong and his wife say that patience and practice (is, are) key to taking good
photographs.
8. Locks and alarms (is, are) needed to protect expensive equipment.
9. During field trips, Lien and I (watches, watch) birds at the feeders.
º 10. A robin and her babies (lives, live) in a nearby tree.

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8i Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. Plural subjects joined by
or or nor take a plural verb.
EXAMPLES Neither Talasi nor her sister is in my class. [Both subjects are singular.]
Either the doctor or the physician’s assistant is available. [Both subjects are
singular.]
Neither storms nor floods are forecast. [Both subjects are plural.]
Either buses or subways take you there. [Both subjects are plural.]
8j When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb
agrees with the subject nearer the verb.
EXAMPLES Popcorn or sunflower seeds make a good snack. [The verb agrees with the
nearer subject, seeds.]
Sunflower seeds or popcorn makes a good snack. [The verb agrees with the
nearer subject, popcorn.]

EXERCISE 12 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
For each of the sentences below, underline the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
EX. 1. Either the artist or his assistant (is, are) shown in this picture.
1. Neither fruits nor vegetables (was, were) on the table.
2. Models or their props (is, are) sketched first.
3. Either the dishes or the cook (was, were) later added to the picture.
4. Neither Atul nor Cassie (is, are) responsible for that pastel.
5. Either a ticket or a pass (allows, allow) you to enter the museum.
6. (Has, Have) either Diego Rivera or Candido Partinari painted a mural in this city?
7. A camera or a sketchbook (helps, help) you remember the artwork.
8. Either the clerks or a guard (has, have) the correct time.
9. Neither our museum nor our galleries (sells, sell) that print.
º 10. Neither the catalog nor the bulletin board (mentions, mention) the museum.

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
COLLECTIVE NOUNS AND INVERTED SENTENCES

8k Collective nouns may be either singular or plural. A collective noun takes a singular
verb when the noun refers to the group as a unit. A collective noun takes a plural
verb when the noun refers to the individual parts or members of the group.
A collective noun is singular in form but names a group of persons, animals, or things.
Common Collective Nouns
audience committee group swarm
class family herd team
club flock jury troop

EXAMPLES The team has earned the award. [The team as a unit has earned the award.]
The team have arrived in separate cars. [Individual team members are in separate
cars.]
81 When the subject follows the verb, find the subject and make sure that the verb
agrees with it. The subject usually follows the verb in sentences beginning with here
or there and in questions.
EXAMPLES Here is my computer.
There are new programs on the streaming service.
What were those noises?
Does lightning strike twice?
NOTE When the subject of a sentence follows the verb, the word order is said to be
inverted. To find the subject of a sentence with inverted order, restate the sentence in
normal word order.
INVERTED In the city live several famous authors.
RESTATED Several famous authors live in the city.
INVERTED Were the Bennetts with you?
RESTATED The Bennetts were with you.

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EXERCISE 13 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their
Subjects
On your own paper, write the correct form of the verb in parentheses in each of the sentences
below.
EX. 1. The committee (was disagreeing, were disagreeing) about the first speaker.
1. were disagreeing
1. A flock of Canada geese (lives, live) in our city’s park.
2. During the trial, the jury (stays, stay) at a nearby hotel.
3. Only one herd (has appeared, have appeared) at this water hole.
4. Now the majority (is voting, are voting) in the election.
5. The audience (likes, like) to applaud those actors.
6. The class (perform, performs) next weekend.
7. Visitors must be quiet when the Senate (debates, debate).
8. The squad (does, do) not agree with its captain.
9. That swarm of bees (lives, live) across the meadow.
º 10. The orchestra (was, were) magnificent.

EXERCISE 14 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
Underline the subject in each of the sentences below. Then underline the correct form of the verb
in parentheses.
EX. 1. There (is, are) many summer holidays.
1. There (is, are) a special day each June.
2. (Is, Are) the summer solstice here yet?
3. There (is, are) two solstices each year.
4. (Was, Were) the longest day of the year special?
5. Around the world, there (is, are) many celebrations on this day.
6. Here on the table (lies, lie) the key to the house.
7. Around eight o’clock, here (comes, come) my brothers.
8. (Is, Are) there any tomatoes left?
9. There (is, are) three reasons for doing that.
º 10. What (is, are) your excuse?

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
AMOUNTS, TITLES, AND DON’T AND DOESN’T

Amounts and Titles

8m Words stating amounts are usually singular.
A word or phrase stating a weight, a measurement, or an amount of money or time is usually
considered one item. Such a word or phrase takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLES Ten grams is a decagram.
Fifty cents is not much money today.
8n The title of a book or the name of an organization or a country, even when plural in
form, usually takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLES Black Folktales was written by Julius Lester. [one book]
American Youth Hostels has headquarters in Washington, D.C. [one
organization]
The Sandwich Islands is the old name for Hawaii. [one place]

EXERCISE 15 Identifying Verbs That Agree in Number with Their

Subjects
In each of the following sentences, underline the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
EX. 1. The Friends of the Library (has, have) a book sale Saturday.
1. Animal Fables from Aesop (is, are) a book for readers of all ages.
2. Two hours sometimes (seems, seem) like a very long time.
3. The United States (is, are) full of public libraries.
4. (Is, Are) Great Deeds of Superheroes available in paperback?
5. Six feet (is, are) the average length of our tables.
6. One third plus two thirds (equals, equal) one.
7. Yes, The ABC’s of Stamp Collecting (has, have) pictures of many colorful stamps.
8. The Canary Islands (seems, seem) like a good setting for a mystery.
9. Sixty-one dollars (does, do) seem like too much to pay.
º 10. On Monday, the Austin Volunteers for Neighborhood Libraries (receives, receive)
donated books.

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Don’t and Doesn’t
8o Don’t and doesn’t must agree with their subjects.
The word don’t is a contraction of do not, and doesn’t is a contraction of does not. Use don’t
with all plural subjects and with the pronouns I and you.
EXAMPLES The clouds don’t look threatening.
I don’t believe it!
You don’t need a coat.
Use doesn’t with all singular subjects except I and you.
EXAMPLES The skateboard doesn’t need paint.
She doesn’t have kneeguards.
It doesn’t work.

EXERCISE 16 Writing Original Sentences with Don’t and Doesn’t

You are taking two young cousins to a country fair. Your cousins are frightened by most
animals, including dogs. They have never seen live chickens, cows, horses, pigs, or rabbits
before. They are asking you lots of questions. You are trying to explain that they have nothing to
fear. On the lines below, write five sentences about some of the animals. Explain why they are
not to be feared or to be fed certain foods. Use don’t and doesn’t to agree with a different subject
in each sentence.
EX. 1. The chickens don’t eat bananas, Otis.
2. No, the horse doesn’t kick children.
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________________________

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

A pronoun usually refers to a noun or another pronoun called its antecedent.

8p A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number and gender.
Some singular personal pronouns have forms that indicate gender. Feminine pronouns refer to
females. Masculine pronouns refer to males. Neuter pronouns refer to things (neither masculine
nor feminine) and usually to animals.

Feminine she her hers

Masculine he him his

Neuter it it its

EXAMPLES Julie wondered if she would need her umbrella. [She and her are both feminine.
They agree with the feminine antecedent Julie.]
Ruben asked if his friend could drop him at the corner. [His and him are both
masculine. They agree with the masculine antecedent Ruben.]
The pan with the chili in it has lost its lid. [It and its are both neuter. They agree
with pan, which is a thing.]
(1) Use a singular pronoun to refer to each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no
one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, or somebody.
EXAMPLES Everyone in the class took her or his project home. [Her and his are singular.
Because Everyone may be either masculine or feminine, both forms are used.]
One of the exhibits lost its tag.

NOTE In conversation, people often use a plural personal pronoun to refer to a singular
antecedent that may be either masculine or feminine. This plural form is also
becoming more common in writing, and it may someday be considered standard
written English.
EXAMPLE Everybody brought their pets to the pet fair.
(2) Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or.
EXAMPLES Either my mother or my aunt will bring her map.
Shane or Clay will lend us his travel guide.
(3) Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and.
EXAMPLES Lono and Nick called their parents from the theater.
Hanako and her friend left early so that they could stop at the school.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 8 17

EXERCISE 17 Identifying Antecedents and Writing Pronouns That
Agree with Them
On the line in each sentence below, write a pronoun that will complete the meaning of the
sentence. Then underline the antecedent, or antecedents, for that pronoun.
EX. 1. Each of the women in the audience waved her hand.

1. Kitty and Bruno worked together on _____ scenes.

2. Either Vern or Mr. Park will lend me _____ jacket.
3. One of the curtains is falling off _____ rod.
4. Vern and Kitty laughed at _____ lines in the first scene.
5. Dawn or Sabrena will bring _____ books from home.
6. Each of the actors should say _____ lines slowly and clearly.
7. Mrs. Park and my mother saved _____ programs from last year.
8. Anyone can try out if _____ enjoys acting.
9. Neither script has marks in _____ margins.
º 10. The actors took _____ bows in front of a cheering crowd.

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MODULE 8: AGREEMENT
MODULE REVIEW
A. Proofreading Sentences for Subject-Verb Agreement
Most of the sentences below contain agreement errors. For each error, draw a line through the
incorrect verb. Write the correct form on the line before the sentence. Write C if the sentence is
correct.
EX. has 1. Either the library or your teacher have the book.

_______ 1. Here is the photographs of sod houses.

_______ 2. The bricks of this house is made from grass-covered ground.
_______ 3. First, a man or a woman have to cut the prairie grass short.
_______ 4. Each person then dig out a strip of earth.
_______ 5. Where was those sod houses built?
_______ 6. Sod House Memories are about houses in Nebraska.
_______ 7. People in the United States don’t build with sod much today.
_______ 8. Boards and bricks are available in most parts of the country.
_______ 9. Gene and Mai is working on a model of a sod house.
_______ 10. Paper bags or cloth are being used for windows.

B. Proofreading a Paragraph for Pronoun-Antecedent

Agreement
Find the errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement in the following paragraph. Draw a line through
each pronoun that does not agree with its antecedent. In the space above the incorrect pronoun,
write the correct form or write C if the sentence is correct.
his or her
EX. [1] Everybody gave their suggestions to Mr. Asari.
[1] Everyone was supposed to suggest ideas for how their class dues should be spent.

[2] Jodi and Brian wanted his money spent on a class trip. [3] Neither Isaac nor Theodore felt

that their idea was better. [4] Each of the aquariums needs a new hose for their air system.

[5] However, no one said that they wanted their money spent to replace the hoses. [6] Either

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 8 19

Tom or Mario gave their suggestion next. [7] Both thought that his class should buy something

permanent. [8] Jodi and Brian nodded their heads to this suggestion. [9] Each of the students

voted for their choice. [10] Tom and Mario were happy to see that their idea pleased most of

their classmates.

C. Writing About Animal Camouflage

You have been asked to conduct a class for the Young Rangers Club. Your topic will be how
various animals protect themselves with camouflage.
1. First, do some research on animal camouflage. You might check encyclopedias, books
about animals, and other reference books.
2. Find information about two kinds of camouflage, color matching and shape matching, and
the animals that use them. Take notes on your own paper, and write at least two sentences
about each kind of camouflage. Be sure to use subject-verb agreement and pronoun-
antecedent agreement.
color matching: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
shape matching: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Module 8 20