Locate and correct sentence fragments.

Sentence fragments are not complete sentences. They lack a subject or verb. Correct sentence fragments by adding the information that has been omitted or by combining sentences.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:
  1. The consultant was described as an expert. In the field of concrete work.
  2. The new computer system installed by the firm.
  3. Five of the ten items promised in the contract were delivered. Leaving five in dispute.

Correct:
  1. The consultant was described as an expert in the field of concrete work.
  2. The new computer system installed by the firm was not functioning properly.
  3. Five of the ten items promised in the contract were delivered, leaving five in dispute.

 

A singular subject must have a singular verb. A plural subject must have a plural verb.

The subject and verb must agree in number: singular (one) or plural (more than one). In English, we use one form of a verb when the subject is one person, place, or thing and another form when it is more than one. You must always make sure the correct verb form is used with the subject. Singular subjects require singular verbs. Plural subjects require plural verbs. That is called "subject/verb agreement."

Examples:

My dog is purebred. Singular subject: dog, Singular verb: is

Carey's dogs are all American. Plural subject: dogs, Plural verb: "are"

If you aren't sure about whether a subject or verb is singular or plural, look it up. Don't always trust your ear to tell you whether the right verb form is being used. Selecting the verb that agrees with the subject cannot be left to instinct. Learn these rules about subject/verb agreement:

  1. Always use singular verbs with these subjects:
    1. Indefinite pronouns: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, every, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something

      2. Examples:

      Everyone has done his or her homework.
      Somebody has left her purse.

    2. Pronouns and nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning: civics, dollars, mathematics, Research and Development, news
    3. Subjects connected by the word "and" but preceded by each, every, many a, or many an

      4. Examples:

      Every man, woman, and child is discriminated against in our store.
      Many an engineer has been fired for less than what you've done.

    4. These phrases: together with, as well as, along with, in addition to, rather than, including, and accompanied by. They are NOT the same as "and."

    Examples:

    The mayor, as well as his brother, is running. (not "are running")
    The senator, together with the committee chairperson, was at the public meeting. (not "were at")

  2. Always use plural verbs with these subjects:
    1. Two or more subjects connected by "and."
    2. The indefinite pronouns both and many.
    3. Words such as glasses, pants, and pliers (unless they are preceded by pair, as in "a pair of green pants is on the chair").
    4. Nouns plural in form and plural in meaning.

    Examples:

    The premises have been thoroughly inspected
    His savings were depleted years ago.

  3. For some words, decide whether to use singular or plural verbs based on content.

    4. Generally, the verb must agree with the word it refers to: "Some of the water is gone," and "Some of the beads are missing." The content decides the number for these words:

    1. the indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, some, and none (for none, use a singular verb when it means "not one" or "no one")
    2. collective nouns: group, team, committee, family, staff, management, company, firm, and other such words

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:
    1. The total number of clients handled by our offices in one year are around one thousand.
    2. His income, without the fines that he had to pay the county, total $13,234.
    3. We interviewed twenty specialists looking for one with experience in this area who write well.

Correct:
    1. The total number of clients handled by our offices in one year is around one thousand.
    2. His income, without the fines that he had to pay the county, totals $13,234.
    3. We interviewed twenty specialists looking for one with experience in this area who writes well.

 

Two or more subjects joined by "and" usually require a plural verb. However, when they are a unit, they require a singular verb.

EXAMPLE

Incorrect:
    1. Mr. Franks and Miss Eadel does not have to attend the meeting.
    2. Sarah and Frieda, who work as cashiers in a bank with their mother, takes the medication on a daily basis.
    3. His attorney and financial advisor, Tim Weeks, have advised him not to file the complaint.

Correct:
    1. Mr. Franks and Miss Eadel do not have to attend the meeting.
    2. Sarah and Frieda, who work as cashiers in a bank with their mother, take the medication on a daily basis.
    3. His attorney and financial advisor, Tim Weeks, has advised him not to file the complaint.

 

 When two or more subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the subject nearest the verb.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:
    1. Neither the manager nor the three associates is willing to compromise.
    2. Mr. Lewis or his assistant have picked up the papers.
    3. Either the president or she have to be present.

Correct:
    1. Neither the manager nor the three associates are willing to compromise.
    2. Mr. Lewis or his assistant has picked up the papers.
    3. Either the president or she has to be present.

 

When a sentence begins with "there" or "here," a form of "to be" will follow: am, are, is, was, were, be, been or being. The form of "to be" must agree with the subject, not with "there" or "here."

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:
    1. Here is an example and an illustration of this type of judgment.
    2. There is three good reasons for following this course of action.
    3. There are a total of 35 cars involved in the theft.

Correct:
    1. Here are an example and an illustration of this type of judgment.
    2. There are three good reasons for following this course of action.
    3. There is a total of 35 cars involved in the theft.

 

Collective nouns stand for groups. When the group acts as a unit, use a singular verb. (Also see below for people acting as individuals.)

EXAMPLES:

Incorrect:
    1. The committee were not willing to change the decision.
    2. Our staff are available for calls by 8:30 a.m. every day.
    3. The couple's family are going to leave on vacation.

Correct:
    1. The committee was not willing to change the decision.
    2. Our staff is available for calls by 8:30 a.m. every day.
    3. The couple's family is going to leave on vacation.

 

 If the members of the group represented by the collective noun act as individuals, then use a plural verb.

EXAMPLES

Incorrect:
    1. The committee is back home working on their individual projects.
    2. Our staff is each trained in a specialized area of finance.
    3. The family is going to be in several different cities on their vacation.

Correct:
    1. The committee are back home working on their individual projects.
    2. Our staff are each trained in a specialized area of finance.
    3. The family are going to be in several different cities on their vacation.