1. Conversation and Discussion.

Tell the story of a camping trip or a long walk you have taken. First make an outline.

2. Written Exercise.

Write the opening paragraph of your story. Test your work by the form given on page 5.

LESSON 35-AGREEMENT OF VERB WITH SUBJECT
IN PERSON AND NUMBER

1. Development.

1. I am far from shelter.

2. You are far from shelter.
3. He is far from shelter.
4. We are far from shelter.
5. You are far from shelter.
6. They are far from shelter.

Select the subject of each of the sentences given above. Give the person and number of each subject.

Select the verb in each sentence. Each verb is one of the forms of the verb be. Each denotes present time, but the form of the verb is not the same in all the sentences.

1. I was far from shelter. 4. We were far from shelter. 2. You were far from shelter. 5. You were far from shelter. 3. He was far from shelter. 6. They were far from shelter. Give the person and number of the subject in each of the above sentences and select the verb.

The verb in each of these sentences is one of the forms of be and denotes past time. You notice, however, that the form of the verb is not the same in all the sentences.

Verbs make certain changes in form according to the person and number of the subject, and for this reason we say a verb has person and number.

Learn:

The person and number of a verb should be the same as the person and number of the subject.

If the subject is a noun, the verb is always in the third person.

2. Written Exercise.

Write ten sentences containing I, we, you, he, she, it, and they used as subjects.

LESSON 36— AGREEMENT OF VERB WITH SUBJECTS
CONNECTED BY OR OR NOR

Select the subjects and the word that connects them in each of the following sentences:

1. Neither David nor Alan was seen by the sentries.

2. Either David or Alan was keeping watch.

3. Does David or Alan tell this story?

4. Either a dove or a cuckoo was always in sight.

5. Neither John nor Frank is ever late.

6. Was David or Alan to blame?

7. Neither Alan nor David was lacking in perseverance.

8. Was either David or Alan watching?

9. Has Frank or Harry taken your book?

10. Neither your brother nor your sister is here.

11. One or the other is going to the city.

12. Tom or James has been here.

13. Neither he nor his sister was at the station.

14. Either the man or the boy has the rake.

15. Frances or Caroline goes once a week to the country. 16. Neither your father nor your mother is able to go. 17. John or Charles always mows the lawn.

18. Neither Mary nor Ruth plays the piano.

19. Either Harry or his brother rows the boat.

Tell the number of each subject in the above sentences. Select the verb in each sentence and tell what number it is.

Learn:

Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.

LESSON 37 - AGREEMENT OF VERB WITH SUBJECT WHEN A PHRASE COMES BETWEEN

Read each of the sentences given below, omitting the words inclosed in commas:

1. The pain, in addition to his fears, was the cause of David's faintness.

2. The darkness, together with the rocks, was their protection.

3. David's weariness, as well as his bruises, was making his progress difficult.

Tell the subject and the predicate of each sentence. What purpose do the words inclosed in commas serve? What number is the verb in sentence 1? With what does this verb agree?

What is the number of the verb in sentence 2? With what does this verb agree?

What is the number of the verb in sentence 3? With what does this verb agree?

Notice that the verb in each sentence agrees with its singular subject, even when the subject is modified by a phrase containing a plural noun.

Read each of the following sentences, omitting the words inclosed in commas.

Select the subject and the predicate of each sentence. Tell the person and number of each subject and the person and number of each verb.

1. A sentry, with his gun, was standing on the top of a

rock.

2. Alan, as well as David, was almost unable to climb

to the top.

3. The bright fire, together with the trout, was enough to make them forget their weariness.

4. David, with Alan's help, was able to scale the rock. 5. I, as well as he, was in danger.

6. David, in company with Alan, was glad to remain here several days.

7. Alan, as well as David, was exhausted.

8. The hot sun, together with the hardness of the rocks, was what made them leave their hiding place.

9. This story, like others by the same author, is very interesting.

10. George, as well as all the other boys, has enjoyed read

ing it.

LESSON 38- AGREEMENT OF VERB WITH AN

INDEFINITE PRONOUN AS SUBJECT

1. Indefinite Pronoun as Subject.

Tell the subject and the predicate of each of the following sentences:

1. Each was brave.

2. Neither was blameless.

3. Either was willing.

4. Everyone was on the alert.
5. Someone was guilty.

6. Each was eager.
7. Was everyone afraid?

8. Someone has done this.

9. Neither is here.

10. Either is capable.

11. Has each done his part?
12. Neither has yielded.
13. Everyone has heard it.

14. Someone was seen there.
15. Either is good.

16. Each knows his duty.

17. Does everyone respect him?

18. Someone has taken my book.

19. Neither enjoys this.

20. Either is interesting.

To what class of pronouns do the subjects of the above sentences belong? Tell the person and number of each pronoun; the person and number of each verb.

Notice that the indefinite pronouns used in the above sentences require singular verbs.

2. Written Exercise.

Write five sentences, each of which contains an indefinite pronoun used as subject.