TECHNICAL RULES IN GRAMMAR

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too.

Example: She writes every day.

2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Example: They write every day.

Sometimes, however, it seems a bit more complicated than this.

3. When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns
connected by and, use a plural verb.

Example: The doctoral student and the committee members write every day.

Example: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of
employees who left their jobs within 2 years are are reflective of the level of job
satisfaction.

4. When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence
must agree with the subject.

Example: Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-
depth understanding of participants.

Example: An assumption is something that is generally accepted as true and is an

important consideration when conducting a doctoral study.

5. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still
agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of
the sentence.

Example: The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.

Example: The student with all the Master’s degrees is very motivated.

Example: Strategies that the teacher uses to encourage classroom participation

include using small groups and clarifying expectations.

Example: The focus of the interviews was nine purposively selected participants.
6. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a
singular verb.

Example: The chairperson or the CEO approves the proposal before proceeding.

7. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun
joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to
the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.

Example: The student or the committee members write every day.

Example: The committee members or the student writes every day.

8. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody,
nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.

Example: Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.

Example: Neither alternative hypothesis was accepted.

Example: I will offer a $5 gift card to everybody who participates in the study.

Example: No one was available to meet with me at the preferred times.

9. Noncount nouns take a singular verb.

Example: Education is the key to success.

Example: Diabetes affects many people around the world.

Example: The information obtained from the business owners was relevant to
include in the study.

Example: The research I found on the topic was limited.

10. Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings,
proceeds, contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.

Example: The earnings for this quarter exceed expectations.

Example: The proceeds from the sale go to support the homeless population in the
city.

Example: Locally produced goods have the advantage of shorter supply chains.

11. In sentences beginning with there is or there are, the subject follows the verb. Since
there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the verb.

Example: There is little administrative support.

 Example: There are many factors affecting teacher retention.

12. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered
singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are group, team, committee, family,
and class.

Example: The group meets every week.

Example: The committee agrees on the quality of the writing.

However, the plural verb is used if the focus is on the individuals in the group. This is
much less common.

Example: The committee participate in various volunteer activities in their private

lives.

Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete
sentences) are connected improperly.

Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.

There are two complete sentences in the above example:

Sentence 1: I love to write papers.

Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.

One common type of run-on sentence is a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two
independent clauses are joined with just a comma.

Example of a comma splice: Participants could leave the study at any time, they needed to
indicate their preference.
Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study at any time.

Sentence 2: They needed to indicate their preference.

Some comma splices occur when a writer attempts to use a transitional expression in the
middle of a sentence.

Example of a comma splice: The results of the study were inconclusive, therefore more
research needs to be done on the topic.
Sentence 1: The results of the study were inconclusive

Transitional expression (conjunctive adverb): therefore

Sentence 2: More research needs to be done on the topic

To fix this type of comma splice, use a semicolon before the transitional expression and add a
comma after it. See more examples of this on the semicolon page.

Revision: The results of the study were inconclusive; therefore, more research needs to be
done on the topic.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its parts correctly. There are several ways to
connect independent clauses.

1. Use a period. The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence into smaller
sentences using a period. This revision works especially well with longer sentences.
Check, however, to make sure that this solution does not result in short, choppy
sentences.

Revision example: I love to write papers. I would write one every day if I had
the time.

2. Use a semicolon. Inserting a semicolon between independent clauses creates a

grammatically correct sentence. Using a semicolon is a stylistic choice that establishes
a close relationship between the two sentences.

Revision example: I love to write papers; I would write one every day if I had
the time.

3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. A comma, paired with a

coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or or), corrects a run-on sentence. This
method emphasizes the relationship between the two clauses.

Revision example: I love to write papers, and I would write one every day if I
had the time.

4. Use a subordinating conjunction. Turn one of the independent clauses into a

dependent clause. A subordinating conjunction (such as because, unless, and
although) connects two clauses to create a complex sentence. This option works to
cement the relationship between the two parts of the sentence and may improve the
flow of the clauses.

Example: Because I love to write papers, I would write one every day if I
had the time.
However you decide to revise for run-on sentences, remember that maintaining sentence
variety helps to keep the writing clear and interesting for your readers.

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is a string of words that does not form a complete sentence; there is
a necessary component of a complete sentence missing. This missing component may be a
subject (usually a noun) or a predicate (verb or verb phrase) and/or when the sentence does
not express a complete idea.

Here is an example of a fragment with a missing subject.

Example of a fragment: Shows no improvement in any of the vital signs.

The sentence above is a fragment since there is no subject (Who shows no improvement?).
Fragments can be corrected by identifying the missing element and including it.

Revision: The patient shows no improvement in any of the vital signs.

Here is an example of a fragment with a missing predicate, or action:

Example of a fragment: The doctors, who were using peer-reviewed research articles that
contributed to the body of knowledge in their fields, which was obstetrics.

Notice here that although the sentence is quite long, it still contains no action (What are the
doctors doing?). Once identified, the sentence can be corrected easily.

Revision: The doctors, who were using peer-reviewed research articles that contributed to the
body of knowledge in their field, improved their knowledge of obstetrics.

Parallel Construction

Between and And

Incorrect: We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the

winter and how hot it is in the summer.

Correct: We debated the difference between the weather in Minnesota in the

winter and the weather in Minnesota in the summer.

Both and And

Incorrect: The films were enjoyable to watch and discuss.

Correct: The films were enjoyable to watch and to discuss.

Neither and Nor; Either and Or

Incorrect: Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor what we asked on the survey
were answered.

Correct: Neither the responses to the questionnaire nor the responses to the survey were
answered.

Not Only and But Also

Incorrect: It was surprising not only that the house sold, but also it sold well over the
asking price.

Correct: It was surprising not only that the house sold but also that it sold well over the
asking price.

Parallel in series

Sentences with series, or lists, require particular attention to parallel construction.

Example 1:

Incorrect: This paper will address No Child Left Behind, how to teach effectively, and
instructing with multimedia aids.

Correct: This paper will address No Child Left Behind benchmarks, effective teaching
strategies, and multimedia instructional aids.

Now, the series has parallel elements (benchmarks, strategies, and aids are all plural nouns).

Example 2:

Incorrect: The students were unprepared, poorly behaved, and disrupted the class.

Correct: The students were underprepared, poorly behaved, and disruptive.

Now, the series has parallel elements (underprepared, behaved, and disruptive are all
adjectives).

Check on

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/

Now, revise the following text by identifying S-V Agreement, run-on

sentence, sentence fragment.
The Beaver
The beaver Canada’s national animal has some unusual
characteristics. One unusual fact about beavers is their large size.
The beaver is the largest rodent in North America, weighing from 13
to 35 kg. It spends a lot of time in the water its feet are large and
webbed for swimming. The beaver’s tail which is wide and flat like a
paddle also helps it to swim. Thick underfur keeps the beaver warm
and dry, even in very cold water. In fact, beavers have been known
to stay under water in icy ponds for as long as fifteen minutes.
Beavers also have long teeth which growth all their lives. They use
these powerful teeth to cut down trees which they use for food and
shelter. Another unusual fact about the beaver is that it is one of the
few animals that changes its own environment. Beavers create
ponds by building dams with roots, sticks, mud and stones. Each
family of beavers builds a lodge, or nest, in a riverbank or in the
middle of a pond. They build an underwater entrance to the lodge.
Having the entrance underwater protects them from their enemies.
Beavers are also very social animals. They not only communicate
with each other by making sounds with their mouths but also by
slapping their big flat tails on the water. The beaver’s social life is
complex and focused around the female. These very special animals
are found in every province in Canada.