Identify and correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement
Key Notes:
Understanding Indefinite Pronouns:
- Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific persons or things. Common examples include: everyone, everyone, someone, anyone, nobody, each, all, some, many, few, and several.
Subject-Verb Agreement:
- The verb must agree with the subject in number (singular or plural).
- Indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural, affecting verb agreement.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns:
- Pronouns such as everyone, someone, anyone, each, and nobody are singular and require singular verbs.
- Example: Everyone is invited to the party. (not “are”)
Plural Indefinite Pronouns:
- Pronouns such as many, few, several, and both are plural and require plural verbs.
- Example: Many are coming to the concert.
Context Matters:
- Some indefinite pronouns can be both singular and plural depending on the context.
- Example: “All” can be singular when referring to a singular noun (“All of the cake is gone.”) and plural when referring to a plural noun (“All of the cookies are gone.”).
Collective Nouns:
- When using collective nouns (e.g., group, team), the verb can be singular or plural based on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
- Example: The team is winning. (singular) vs. The team are arguing among themselves. (plural)
Avoiding Common Errors:
- A common mistake is to match the verb to a noun in a prepositional phrase rather than the indefinite pronoun.
- Example: Some of the cake was eaten. (Correct: “Some” is the subject, not “cake,” which is part of the prepositional phrase.)
Practice Exercises:
- Provide students with sentences to correct, focusing on the agreement between indefinite pronouns and verbs.
- Example exercise: Identify and correct errors in the following sentences:
- Everyone are excited about the event.
- Many has volunteered for the project.
let’s practice!🖊️
