SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Singular Verb (-s /-es)
à singular nouns (education, Joe, writing, the burrito)
1. The burrito looks terrible.
à 3rd person singular pronoun (he, she, it)
1. She goes to Trader Joe’s instead of regular supermarkets.
2. It looks terrible.
Plural Verb (no -s)
à plural nouns (chickens, my parents, noodles)
1. Noodles cook quickly and easily.
à two or more subjects connected by and:
1. Pizza and Soda form a perfect combination.
2. Stan, Kyle, and Kenny live in
EXCEPTION – Every and Each
1. Every man, woman, and child needs food.
2. Each dog and cat in the pound needs a good home.
The Comma
Main Uses:
1. Separate two independent clauses (along with a coordinating conjunction)
Ex. I would go with you, but I am violently ill.
2. Introductory Elements
Ex. During the film’s climax, Terrence fell asleep.
Ex. Because I am an only child, I expect extra gifts for my birthday.
Ex. To get a degree, you must first pass this class.
3. Items in a series
Ex. For the party I will need cheese, sausages, grapefruits, and cinnamon.
Ex. The couple strolled down the boulevard, through the park, and into the Del Taco.
4. Multiple adjectives
Ex. The skinny, ragged cat searched the dumpster for something to eat.
5. Parenthetical Expressions
Ex. The tacos were, in my opinion, delicious.
Ex. The three-bean salad, however, was not.
The Semicolon ;
6. Separate two independent clauses (no coordinating conjunction)
Ex. The students all came to class on time; there was no need to wait for anyone.
7. Between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb
Ex. I want to go on a road trip this summer; however, the high price of gas might force me to stay home.
Modal-thon 
Introduction (9-1)
Modals are used to express speakers’ attitudes.
Basic Modals:
can, could, had better, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, would
Phrasal Modals (more than one word):
be able to, be going to, be supposed to, have to, used to
**Note: Modals do not take final –s when subject is he/she/it
Correct: She can do it
Incorrect: She cans do it.
Polite Requests
“I” as subject:
1. May I take a bite of your sandwich?
2. Could I borrow your shoe for a minute?
*3. Can I get that five dollars I let you borrow? (less polite)
“You” as subject:
1. Would you hold my purse for a second?
2. Will you accompany me to the dance?
3. Could you pick me up from Yoga class tomorrow?
*4. Can you take out the trash, please?
Polite Request: Would you Mind
Asking Permission: use simple past tense
1. Would you mind if I used your phone?
Asking someone to do something: with –ing
2. Would you mind closing the door?
Necessity
Must, have to, have got to
1. All students must pass the GWT to graduate.
2. She has to go to a meeting.
3. I have got to* eat something before I perish. (informal)
Lack of Necessity and Prohibition
Do not have to = lack of necessity
Must not = prohibition
1. You don’t have to yell. I can hear you.
2. You must not tell anyone my secret.
Advisability
Should, ought to, had better*
1. You should pay for parking tickets before they go up.
2. You ought to repay your friends if they lend you money.
3. *You had better stop to get gas. You’re almost out! *(sometimes used for threats, such as “You’d better give me some money, or else!”)
Past Form of Should
Should Have + past participle: Often used to express past regret
1. We should have seen a different movie
2. Scotty should have studied more for the test.
*3. They should not have remade The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
(often used as a conjunction “shouldn’t have”)
Expectations
Be Supposed To: Expresses ideas about scheduled events
1. I am supposed to write a paper this weekend.
2. The show is supposed to start at ten.
3.
Making Suggestions
Could: make suggestions
Should: Gives definite advice.
1. We could go to
ADVICE: 2. We shouldn’t go to
ADVICE: 3. We could go to
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