Session 2 homework assignment - Subject Verb agreement

[sri_wcupa]

Hello,

I had some questions about the homework assigned from MGMAT SC Guide (Chapter 3, p. 49). The Problem set asks us to identify the subject as well. However, a lot of the answer choices have not mentioned the subject.

I have solved almost all of them and would like to confirm my answers. I was not very clear with the answers given in the book especially the subjects of the answers. Can you please help with the below questions?

1) The travelling salesman was dismayed to learn that neither his sons nor his daughter were interested in moving

was - Verb
neither his sons nor his daughter - subject?

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?

Correct Answer:
I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks WAS fine with me.


3) A venemous snake designated the emblem of the rebellion by the insurgency.

was - Verb

subject - Snake ?

Correct Answer:
A venemous snake WAS designated the emblem of the rebellion by the insurgency.


4) A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

Verb - have
Subject - players?

5) Jack, along with some of his closest friends, is sharing a limo to the prom.

Verb - is
Subject - Jack

The above sentence is correct.


6) The recent string of burglaries, in addition to poor building maintenance, have inspired the outspoken resident to call a tenants meeting.

Verb - have
Subject - String of burglaries ?

Correct Answer:

The recent string of burglaries, in addition to poor building maintenance, HAS inspired the outspoken resident to call a tenants meeting.

7) There is, according to my doctor, many courses of treatment available to me.

Verb - Is
Subject - Many courses of treatment

There ARE, according to my doctor, many courses of treatment available to me.

8) After all the gardening we did, the sun shining on the flowerbeds make a beautiful sight.

I thought that shining is the verb here? Can you please tell me how to identify the correct verb i.e. make?

9) The placement of the unusual artwork in the mansion's various rooms was impressive.

was - verb
placement - subject ?

The above sentence is correct

10) (My solution here is in-correct)
A new textbook focused on recent advances in AI assigned by our instructor

assigned - verb
textbook - subject

A new textbook assigned by our instructor focused on recent advances in AI.


11) Subject is clearly given in the book


12) Planting all the seeds is more involved that I thought
is - verb

Not sure about the subject


13) Whoever rented these movies has to take them back before midnight.

has - verb

Not sure about subject.

Not clear with the given answer as well.


14) Tired of practising, the orchestra decide to walk out on their astonished conductor.

Is orchestra the subject? Book says that it is the noun


15) Not clear with the answer given in the book i.e. what the subject and verbs are?


Thanks for your valuable time and help.

Regards,
Sri

[RonPurewal]

1) The travelling salesman was dismayed to learn that neither his sons nor his daughter were interested in moving

was - Verb
neither his sons nor his daughter - subject?

yes

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?

yes

3) A venemous snake designated the emblem of the rebellion by the insurgency.

was - Verb

subject - Snake ?

yes, provided you change "designated" to "was designated".

note that the verb is "was designated", not just "was". (this is a verb in passive form.)

4) A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

Verb - have
Subject - players?

here, i would think of "a number of players" as the subject -- i wouldn't bother breaking up that expression.
same with "two players", "three players", etc.

5) Jack, along with some of his closest friends, is sharing a limo to the prom.

Verb - is
Subject - Jack

yes

6) The recent string of burglaries, in addition to poor building maintenance, have inspired the outspoken resident to call a tenants meeting.

Verb - have
Subject - String of burglaries ?

yes

7) There is, according to my doctor, many courses of treatment available to me.

Verb - Is
Subject - Many courses of treatment

yes

8) After all the gardening we did, the sun shining on the flowerbeds make a beautiful sight.

I thought that shining is the verb here? Can you please tell me how to identify the correct verb i.e. make?

-ing forms are never verbs. they are either nouns (Swimming is fun) or modifiers (The woman swimming in the lake is an Olympic athlete).

in this case, shining s clearly not a noun, so it's a modifier. therefore, you can ignore it in finding the main verb.

9) The placement of the unusual artwork in the mansion's various rooms was impressive.

was - verb
placement - subject ?

yes

10)

(My solution here is in-correct)
A new textbook focused on recent advances in AI assigned by our instructor

assigned - verb
textbook - subject

A new textbook assigned by our instructor focused on recent advances in AI.

textbook = subj
assigned... = modifier
focused = verb

12) Planting all the seeds is more involved that I thought
is - verb

Not sure about the subject

the subject is "planting", which is a noun here. it's like Swimming is fun.

13) Whoever rented these movies has to take them back before midnight.

has - verb

Not sure about subject.

the subject is the pronoun Whoever...

i don't think i have ever seen this sort of thing on the actual gmat, but it's certainly a legitimate construction.

14) Tired of practising, the orchestra decide to walk out on their astonished conductor.

Is orchestra the subject? Book says that it is the noun

yes

15) Not clear with the answer given in the book i.e. what the subject and verbs are?

i don't have the book in front of me, so either (a) post the sentence here or (b) bring the book to class. thanks.

[sri_wcupa]

1) The travelling salesman was dismayed to learn that neither his sons nor his daughter were interested in moving

was - Verb
neither his sons nor his daughter - subject?

yes

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?

yes

3) A venemous snake designated the emblem of the rebellion by the insurgency.

was - Verb

subject - Snake ?

yes, provided you change "designated" to "was designated".

note that the verb is "was designated", not just "was". (this is a verb in passive form.)

4) A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

Verb - have
Subject - players?

here, i would think of "a number of players" as the subject -- i wouldn't bother breaking up that expression.
same with "two players", "three players", etc.

5) Jack, along with some of his closest friends, is sharing a limo to the prom.

Verb - is
Subject - Jack

yes

6) The recent string of burglaries, in addition to poor building maintenance, have inspired the outspoken resident to call a tenants meeting.

Verb - have
Subject - String of burglaries ?

yes

7) There is, according to my doctor, many courses of treatment available to me.

Verb - Is
Subject - Many courses of treatment

yes

8) After all the gardening we did, the sun shining on the flowerbeds make a beautiful sight.

I thought that shining is the verb here? Can you please tell me how to identify the correct verb i.e. make?

-ing forms are never verbs. they are either nouns (Swimming is fun) or modifiers (The woman swimming in the lake is an Olympic athlete).

in this case, shining s clearly not a noun, so it's a modifier. therefore, you can ignore it in finding the main verb.

9) The placement of the unusual artwork in the mansion's various rooms was impressive.

was - verb
placement - subject ?

yes

10)

(My solution here is in-correct)
A new textbook focused on recent advances in AI assigned by our instructor

assigned - verb
textbook - subject

A new textbook assigned by our instructor focused on recent advances in AI.

textbook = subj
assigned... = modifier
focused = verb

12) Planting all the seeds is more involved that I thought
is - verb

Not sure about the subject

the subject is "planting", which is a noun here. it's like Swimming is fun.

13) Whoever rented these movies has to take them back before midnight.

has - verb

Not sure about subject.

the subject is the pronoun Whoever...

i don't think i have ever seen this sort of thing on the actual gmat, but it's certainly a legitimate construction.

14) Tired of practising, the orchestra decide to walk out on their astonished conductor.

Is orchestra the subject? Book says that it is the noun

yes

15) Not clear with the answer given in the book i.e. what the subject and verbs are?

i don't have the book in front of me, so either (a) post the sentence here or (b) bring the book to class. thanks.

Hello Ron,

Thank you very much for answering the questions.

Best Regards,
Sri

[tim]

:)

[Jabgars]

The post seems to be super old but I'll still give it a try to see if someone can answer my question as to why the sentence below is correct after replacing were to was? The book doesn't have much explanation too. The only rule I can relate to is the one where we are supposed to look at the singular and plural noun and decide based on that. Am I thinking correct?

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?


yes
Correct Answer:
I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks WAS fine with me.

[jnelson0612]

The post seems to be super old but I'll still give it a try to see if someone can answer my question as to why the sentence below is correct after replacing were to was? The book doesn't have much explanation too. The only rule I can relate to is the one where we are supposed to look at the singular and plural noun and decide based on that. Am I thinking correct?

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?


yes
Correct Answer:
I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks WAS fine with me.

Hi,
It's because the word "either" is a singular noun. It implies "either one". Thus, the sentence is really "either (one) WAS fine with me". It's a subject/verb agreement issue.

[yizhu.feng]

1) The travelling salesman was dismayed to learn that neither his sons nor his daughter were interested in moving

was - Verb
neither his sons nor his daughter - subject?

yes

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?

yes

3) A venemous snake designated the emblem of the rebellion by the insurgency.

was - Verb

subject - Snake ?

yes, provided you change "designated" to "was designated".

note that the verb is "was designated", not just "was". (this is a verb in passive form.)

4) A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

Verb - have
Subject - players?

here, i would think of "a number of players" as the subject -- i wouldn't bother breaking up that expression.
same with "two players", "three players", etc.

5) Jack, along with some of his closest friends, is sharing a limo to the prom.

Verb - is
Subject - Jack

yes

6) The recent string of burglaries, in addition to poor building maintenance, have inspired the outspoken resident to call a tenants meeting.

Verb - have
Subject - String of burglaries ?

yes

7) There is, according to my doctor, many courses of treatment available to me.

Verb - Is
Subject - Many courses of treatment

yes

8) After all the gardening we did, the sun shining on the flowerbeds make a beautiful sight.

I thought that shining is the verb here? Can you please tell me how to identify the correct verb i.e. make?

-ing forms are never verbs. they are either nouns (Swimming is fun) or modifiers (The woman swimming in the lake is an Olympic athlete).

in this case, shining s clearly not a noun, so it's a modifier. therefore, you can ignore it in finding the main verb.

9) The placement of the unusual artwork in the mansion's various rooms was impressive.

was - verb
placement - subject ?

yes

10)

(My solution here is in-correct)
A new textbook focused on recent advances in AI assigned by our instructor

assigned - verb
textbook - subject

A new textbook assigned by our instructor focused on recent advances in AI.

textbook = subj
assigned... = modifier
focused = verb

12) Planting all the seeds is more involved that I thought
is - verb

Not sure about the subject

the subject is "planting", which is a noun here. it's like Swimming is fun.

13) Whoever rented these movies has to take them back before midnight.

has - verb

Not sure about subject.

the subject is the pronoun Whoever...

i don't think i have ever seen this sort of thing on the actual gmat, but it's certainly a legitimate construction.

14) Tired of practising, the orchestra decide to walk out on their astonished conductor.

Is orchestra the subject? Book says that it is the noun

yes

15) Not clear with the answer given in the book i.e. what the subject and verbs are?

i don't have the book in front of me, so either (a) post the sentence here or (b) bring the book to class. thanks.

Hi Ron,
this maybe a silly question but in the 5th sentence here, "Jack, along with his friends, IS sharing...", does "IS" make sense since it needs at least two people to "share"?

Please advice. Thank you!

[yizhu.feng]

1) The travelling salesman was dismayed to learn that neither his sons nor his daughter were interested in moving

was - Verb
neither his sons nor his daughter - subject?

yes

2) I was so thirsty that either of the two drinks were fine with me

were - verb
either of the two drinks - Subject ?

yes

3) A venemous snake designated the emblem of the rebellion by the insurgency.

was - Verb

subject - Snake ?

yes, provided you change "designated" to "was designated".

note that the verb is "was designated", not just "was". (this is a verb in passive form.)

4) A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

Verb - have
Subject - players?

here, i would think of "a number of players" as the subject -- i wouldn't bother breaking up that expression.
same with "two players", "three players", etc.

5) Jack, along with some of his closest friends, is sharing a limo to the prom.

Verb - is
Subject - Jack

yes

6) The recent string of burglaries, in addition to poor building maintenance, have inspired the outspoken resident to call a tenants meeting.

Verb - have
Subject - String of burglaries ?

yes

7) There is, according to my doctor, many courses of treatment available to me.

Verb - Is
Subject - Many courses of treatment

yes

8) After all the gardening we did, the sun shining on the flowerbeds make a beautiful sight.

I thought that shining is the verb here? Can you please tell me how to identify the correct verb i.e. make?

-ing forms are never verbs. they are either nouns (Swimming is fun) or modifiers (The woman swimming in the lake is an Olympic athlete).

in this case, shining s clearly not a noun, so it's a modifier. therefore, you can ignore it in finding the main verb.

9) The placement of the unusual artwork in the mansion's various rooms was impressive.

was - verb
placement - subject ?

yes

10)

(My solution here is in-correct)
A new textbook focused on recent advances in AI assigned by our instructor

assigned - verb
textbook - subject

A new textbook assigned by our instructor focused on recent advances in AI.

textbook = subj
assigned... = modifier
focused = verb

12) Planting all the seeds is more involved that I thought
is - verb

Not sure about the subject

the subject is "planting", which is a noun here. it's like Swimming is fun.

13) Whoever rented these movies has to take them back before midnight.

has - verb

Not sure about subject.

the subject is the pronoun Whoever...

i don't think i have ever seen this sort of thing on the actual gmat, but it's certainly a legitimate construction.

14) Tired of practising, the orchestra decide to walk out on their astonished conductor.

Is orchestra the subject? Book says that it is the noun

yes

15) Not clear with the answer given in the book i.e. what the subject and verbs are?

i don't have the book in front of me, so either (a) post the sentence here or (b) bring the book to class. thanks.

Hi Ron,
this maybe a silly question but in the 5th sentence here, "Jack, along with his friends, IS sharing...", does "IS" make sense since it needs at least two people to "share"?

Please advice. Thank you!

[RonPurewal]

It's a weird sentence. Perhaps Jack and his friends are sharing the limo with other people, too.
In informal English, you'll often hear people say "I'm sharing a room", without mentioning a specific roommate. In formal English, though, I think you're always going to see the person with whom the subject is "sharing".

The point, though, is that "along with xxxx" is a modifier, and so can be ignored when you consider the surrounding grammar.
That sentence is ... not the best example in the world, but that's what you should learn from it.