Do You Agree?

GOAL:

To recognize that subject and predicate of a sentence must agree in number.

Objectives:

The student will be able to:

1. Identify the subject and predicate of a sentence.

2. Classify the subject of a sentence as singular or plural.

3. Select predicate forms to match singular or plural subjects.

Energy Objectives:

The student will be able to:

1. Describe some advantages of using natural gas in the home.

2. Discuss the four basic energy needs that natural gas can fulfill in the home.

Lesson Information:

Sentences are made of two basic parts: the subject and the predicate.

The simple subject refers to the noun or pronoun in the sentence causing the action or around whom/which the action is centered. The complete subject includes all words that help to describe the simple subject. See EXAMPLE 1.

EXAMPLE 1:

Mrs. Smith USES NATURAL GAS IN HER HOME.

Mrs. Smith of 129 Oak Street USES NATURAL GAS.

Mrs. Smith is the simple subject of both sentences. In the second sentence, however, it is part of a more descriptive complete subject.

The predicate of a sentence includes the verb and all words or phrases describing the verb. Look back at EXAMPLE 1. The predicate in each sentence is capitalized.

It is important that the subject and the predicate agree in number. This means that both the subject and predicate of a sentence must be singular or both must be plural. This is called subject-verb agreement. The basic steps to follow to insure that your sentence will have subject-verb agreement are:

1. Identify the subject as either plural or singular.

2. Choose a verb that agrees with the subject.

Step 1 in achieving subject-verb agreement is to determine if the subject is singular or plural Follow these guidelines to help you make that determination. Examples follow depicting each sentence type.

A. If only one noun or pronoun is used as the subject, is that noun singular or plural?

Natural gas is the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels. (singular)

Other fossil fuels are oil and coal. (plural)

B. If a compound subject is used and is joined by the conjunction "and":

- the subject is usually plural, unless,

- both nouns refer to the same person or thing.

Home heating and water heating are two uses for natural gas. (plural)

My neighbor and best friend uses natural gas for cooking. (singular)

C. If a compound subject is used and the nouns or pronouns are joined by the conjunction "or":

- the subject is singular if the nouns are singular.

- the subject is plural if the nouns are plural.

- if one noun is singular and one is plural, place the plural one last and the subject is plural.

Electricity or natural gas can be used for clothes drying. (singular)

The Smiths and the Jonses are big supporters of using natural gas in the home. (plural)

The gas company or energy consumers make the difference in our energy future. (plural)

Step 2 in achieving subject-verb agreement is to choose a verb that agrees with the subject. Use the following guidelines:

a. When using action verbs, verbs that end in an "s" are singular and verbs that do not are plural.

The gas furnace heats the home efficiently.

Gas furnaces heat homes for up to 20 years.

b. When using linking verbs, use the chart below.

Singular:									is									has									was									am									does
Plural:									are									were									have									do

Other linking verbs can be used with both singular and plural subjects. See EXAMPLE 2.

EXAMPLE 2:

The gas water heater is faster and more efficient than many electric models.

Water heaters today are better insulated than in the past.

Activity D-1:

Underline the complete subject in the following sentences. Identify each as singular or plural.

1. The newer models of gas clothes dryers do not need a pilot light. (__________)

2. Higher installation costs are usually offset by lower monthly bills. (__________)

3. The gas range costs 50% less to operate than the electric range. (__________)

4. Gas ranges allow more control over desired cooking temperatures. (__________)

5. The gas range lasts approximately 13 years. (__________)

Activity D-2:

Identify the following subjects as singular or plural and then complete the sentence with a predicate that exhibits agreement and discusses natural gas as an energy source.

1. The gas bill or the electric bill (_______) ____________

_______________________________________________________.

2. Mr. Lakey at the gas company and I (_______) ___________

_______________________________________________________.

3. The people that live on my street (_______) __________

______________________________________________________.

Word Order of Sentences

In sentences of natural order, the subject always comes before the predicate. These are the types of sentences you have worked with so far in this lesson.

In sentences of inverted order, the subject may come last. It is sometimes more difficult to locate the subject in these sentences and to check for agreement. Remember: The subject will always be the noun or pronoun around whom/which the action of the sentence is centered. See EXAMPLE 3.

EXAMPLE 3:

Included in the total gas bill for the month is a service charge.

Activity R-1:

Underline the complete subject in the following sentences.

1. Included under special considerations is possible carbon monoxide buildup due to faulty equipment or venting.

2. Among the possible problems are natural gas limitations.

3. Answering questions about the use of natural gas in the home is the company representative's job.

Activity R-2:

Refer back to Activity R-1. Below, state whether the subject-verb of each sentence is singular or plural.

1. _______________

2. _______________

3. _______________

RECOMMENDED READING:

American Gas Association. Go for the Best . . . Go for Gas Dryers, catalog no. B50220. 1988.

American Gas Association. Go for the Best . . . Go for Gas Heating Systems, catalog no. B50222. 1988.

American Gas Association. Go for the Best . . . Go for Gas Ranges, catalog no. B50224. 1988.

American Gas Association. Go for the Best . . . Go for Gas Water Heaters, catalog no. B50225. 1988.

INFORMATION CHECK

1. Define simple subject and complete subject.

2. What is the predicate of a sentence?

3. What is the difference between a sentence in natural order and in inverted order?

4. Read the sentences below. If the subject and predicate exhibit agreement, write "correct" in the blank. If they do not agree, write the correct form of the verb in the blank.

_______________a. Areas around gas appliances is free of dirt and clutter.

_______________b. The flames on gas appliances are checked periodically to be sure that the fuel is burning efficiently.

_______________c. A qualified service person check annually to see that all equipment are in proper operating condition.

5. List the four basic uses of natural gas in the home.

6. List three advantages of using natural gas as an energy source.

TEACHER'S NOTES

Activity D-1:

1. The newer models of gas clothes dryers (plural)

2. Higher installation costs (plural)

3. The gas range (singular)

4. Gas ranges (plural)

5. The gas range (singular)

Activity D-2:

Student sentences will vary. Examples follow.

1. (Singular) The gas bill or the electric bill will include the cost of home heating.

2. (Plural) Mr. Lakey at the gas company and I are looking into the cost of installing gas lines in our neighborhood.

3. (Plural) The people that live on my street are excited about having a choice of home energy fuels.

Activity R-1, R-2:

1. Included under special considerations is possible carbon monoxide buildup due to faulty equipment or venting. (Singular)

2. Among the possible problems are natural gas limitations. (Plural)

3. Answering questions about the use of natural gas in the home is the company representative's job. (Singular)

Answers to Information Check:

1. The simple subject refers to the noun or pronoun in the sentence causing the action, or around whom/which the action is centered. The complete subject includes all words that help to describe the simple subject.

2. The predicate of a sentence includes the verb and all words or phrases modifying the verb.

3. Natural order refers to sentences that have the subject first followed by the predicate. Inverted order refers to the subject being last and the predicate first.

4. a. are

b. correct

c. checks

5. home heating, water heating, cooking, clothes drying

6. Students answers may differ. Some include:

- burns clean

- costs less; lower utility bills

- can be used for up to four different home functions

- gas appliances last a long time

Comments or questions to: TechAsmt@LA.GOV

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