Get a Grip on Grammar Lesson 3

GRAMMAR EXERCISE
For each sentence, identify the subject and choose the correct verb form (from the two in the parenthesis after the sentence) that agrees with the subject to fill in the blank.
1. Diane, as well as Lee, __ that women should participate more in professional sports. (thinks -)
2. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” __ a children’s story which was made into a delightful move by Walt Disney. (- are)
3. Fifteen pounds __ a lot of weight to lose. (- are)
4. I simply cannot study when there __ radios, CD players, or television sets blaring. (- are)
5. Measles __ common among children in elementary school. (- are)
6. Taxes __ a problem facing the governor. (- are)
7. Not one of the teachers __ to help us with the decorations. (intends -)
8. The basketball team __ handicapped by injuries in its last game. (- is)
9. __ either of them know the lyrics to the songs in Rent. (Does -)
10. In every detective story, there __ usually a motive, suspects, clues, and discovery and punishment. (is -)
11. Ulysses S. Grant, along with Zachery Taylor, __ probably better as a general than as a President. (was -)
12. Every student in the city schools __ going to take the examination. (is -)
13. The performer’s jovial manner and her ability to improvise __ to the merriment. (- add)
14. Neither the captain nor the coach __ to attend the pep rally. (- plans)
15. Both of the paintings by Michelangelo __ angelic beings. (- contain)
16. According to Aristotle, nobody except malicious people __ at the misfortune of others. (- rejoice)
17. Sound of Music __ the first musical I saw. (- is)
18. When I am on the stage, neither my memory nor my voice __ reliable. (is -)
19. Why __ that well-read lady join the book discussion group? (doesn't -)
20. A few of us __ a perfect attendance record. (- have)

WRITING EXERCISE
Create a short piece that has two characters: one speaks correct English, but the other does not. First, write the piece with both characters and the narrator speaking correct English. Second, revise the piece and allow one of the characters to speak incorrectly.

“Hey, Joe, what do you know? I haven’t seen you around lately. Is your family still having the flu problem?”
I am still looking in on my mother in the mornings and I eat with her at noon so I can fix her lunch. She is doing better, but is quite weak yet.
“It’s so pitiful the way you have to play nursemaid every time you turn around, Man.  Why don’t you open a private practice so you will collect payments for what you’re doing?”
“Brady, it’s not what you think. This is family and I don’t mind taking care of my family.”
“Still buddy, you need to have more down time just for you to enjoy.”
I walked on by these two as I was helping myself to the milk in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.  It brought back memories of my earlier days working among the teens in my home town civic center. I would hear varied language barriers that at the time bothered me greatly, because I knew these kids were educated and they didn’t care to use what they had learned to better themselves. I am glad to hear that not every teen grows up with such bad habits.


“Hey, Joe, what you know?  I hasn’t seen you around lately. Are your family still having the flu problem?”
“I am still looking in on my mother in the mornings and I eat with her at noon so I can fix her lunch. She is doing better, but is quite weak yet,” said Joe.
It are so pitiful the way you have to play nursemaid every time you turn around, Man.  Why is you not opening a private practice so you can collect payments for all you does.
“Brady, it’s not what you think. This is family and I don’t mind taking care of my family,” said Joe.
“Still buddy, you needs to have more down time just for you to enjoy.”
I walked by these two as I was helping myself to the milk in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.  It brought back memories of my earlier days working among the teens in my home town civic center. I would hear varied language barriers that at the time bothered me greatly, because I knew these kids were educated and they didn’t care to use what they had learned to better themselves. I am glad to hear that not every teen grows up with such bad habits.