Agreement

Subject and Verb Agreement

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SUBJECT-VERB RULE #1 – Two or more singular (or plural) subjects joined by and act as a plural compound subject and take a plural verb (singular + singular = plural).

You can check the verb by substituting the pronoun they for the compound subject.

                        

Or and nor as joiners work somewhat differently from and.  While the word and seems to ADD things together, or and nor do not.  They suggest a CHOICE.

                    

Look at this sentence.

                   

This sentence makes use of a compound subject (two subject nouns joined together by or).  Each part of the compound subject (ranger, camper) is singular.  Even though both words function together as subject (joined by or), the subject still remains SINGULAR (ranger or camper) since a CHOICE is implied.

This compound subject, therefore, requires a singular verb to agree with it.

SUBJECT-VERB RULE #2 – Two or more SINGULAR subjects joined by or (or nor) act as a singular compound subject and, therefore, take a singular verb to agree.

Note:  Two or more plural subjects joined by or (or nor) would naturally take a plural verb to agree.

                          

  If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by and, always use a plural verb.

                        

  If the individual parts of the compound subject are joined by or or nor, use the verb form (singular or plural) which will agree with the subject closer to the verb.

       

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Taken from:https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/moduleSVAGR.htm

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Worksheet to print

Comparison & Contrast

Restaurant Review

RESTAURANT REVIEW

You start with Paragraph 1- Introduction

In the introduction you :

give some basic info about the restaurant e.g. name, location, reason you decided to visit it, maybe you heard something about the place before you actually visited it, who visits the restaurant most often.

* it’s located/ situated in

* in the heart of / in the suburbs of

* it was recommended by/ it is a favourite hangout spot for people…/

 In the 2nd and 3rd Paragraph you :

– provide more details about food / prices

– you can also add comments about service / atmosphere

Phrases you can use to in the 2nd and 3rd paragraph:

Writing about food

* a wide variety of mouth- watering starters/ main courses/ deserts

* I ordered steak sirloin accompanied by side dish of roasted asparagus

* main course consisted of 

* to be starving hungry / to be dying of hunger

* poor quality/ overpriced/ reasonably priced/ good value for money/ pricy

* stodgy/ bland/ tasty/ delicious/ exquisite/ processed food

* home-made / take-away / ready meal

* large selection of …

Writing about staff 

* attentive/ friendly/ charming/ helpful/ caring

* forgettable/ accetable

* can hardly get a smile/ inattentive / slow/ disappointing

If you’re writing a restaurant review you’d also need to learn the vocabulary describing dishes e.g types of fish/ meat/ etc.

In the last paragraph you :

– include an overall opinion/or a recommendation, usually with justification

– you may also be asked to give reasons  how it has influenced you, etc.

Phrases you can use to end the review

Making a recommendation

*I would highly / strongly recommend …

* I certainly wouldn’t recommend …

* I strongly advise you (not) to …

* Everyone should see / do / read this … immediately!

* … is not to be missed!

* You should give … a miss!

* Don’t bother reading / seeing / going …

* It is a classic of its kind/ It is sure to be a hit/ best -seller

Your review should include both positive and negative comments, however it’s also crucial to state your overall opinion. 

Expressions for say you liked something: 

– I was pleasantly surprised by….

– …. would appeal to ….

– the thing I like most was…

Expressions to say you disliked something:

– What I disliked most was…

– I was quite/rather/bitterly disappointed by/ with…

– I was extremely dissatisfied with…

News Report

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Report

REPORT LAYOUT

Introduction	background to the subject reasons for carrying out the work review of other research in the area
Methods	how you did your research description of the tools / materials used
Results	what is discovered comments on likely accuracy of results
Discussion	of your main findings comments on the effectiveness of your research
Conclusion	summary of your work suggestions for further research

Bibliography

https://www.writing.ie/resources/crime-writing-prompts-invaluable-advice-via-writerswebtv/

Cause and Effect Linkers

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Pdf board game

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So and Such 

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Grammar Bank 
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Problem and Solution

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• The structure of a Problem & Solution essay is as follows:
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• Situation
• Problem
• Solution
• Evaluation


• Model thesis statements for problem/solution essays 

  
  
  1. The _____ _____________ to _____ are to ________, _______, and ______. 
  
  
  The three most effective methods to get rich are to save regularly every month, to invest in real estate, and to eliminate frivolous expenses. 
  
  
  The best ways to make up with your wife or girlfriend after a fight are to buy her flowers, take her out to dinner, and sincerely apologize over and over again. 
  
  
  The easiest means to stop your parents from nagging at you are to agree with everything they say, do the things that need to be done before they tell you, blame your siblings for everything that happens. 
  
  
  2. ______ solutions for __________________ are ___________, _________, and _________.
  
  
  Possible solutions for the elimination of the budget deficit are increasing taxes, curtailing social programs, and eliminating government waste. 
  
  
  Potential solutions for reducing teenage smoking are increasing the cost of cigarettes, massive educational programs, and increased punishment. 
  
  
  Three prospective solutions for high medical costs are limiting frivolous malpractice lawsuits, a national health care program, and increased use of medical practitioners for routine medical problems. 
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• Use Cause and Effect Linkers
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  Problem and Solution Vocabulary
  
  
  The following words can be used as synonyms for problem and solution
  
  
  

  three main difficulties have arisen…. The main challenge faced by nurses … One of the concerns during the recession…. the new process created two questions… the team faced six issues …. our principal worry / dilemma was….

  the best remedy for this may be …. two answers have been put forward… another suggestion is … Matheson’s proposal was finally accepted. this was finally rectified by ...

  
  

Signal Words

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Cause and Consecuence

Title

Intro:
Topic information: background knowledge.
Thesis sentence: make it clear that you are pondering the causes and consequences

Air pollution is caused by the following factors: exhaust gases from cars, uncontrolled factory releases, and burning of low-quality coal for heating.

Using deodorants with chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end of world.

we are now trying to overcome its physiological and psychological adverse effects on human beings.

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Conclusion

Restate (do not repeat) the thesis

Consider the implications

EXERCISES

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PRINTING EXERCISES

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Body Paragraphs

Main Idea:  your topic sentence, identifying one of the many causes (or effects) supporting the thesis.

Evidence:  facts, expert opinion, or anecdotal evidence proving the causal relationship described in the topic sentence.

Analysis:  explaining how the evidence supports the topic sentence.

Link:  a transition from one paragraph to the next, as well as back to the thesis.

Link to unit

Opinion Essay

Blog link
Opinion Funtcions exercises
Teach this pdf
B1 worksheet

How to paraphrase

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Strong verbs

Lesson on strong verbs
Another one
The third one
One with synonims

Formal Letter

Addresses

Letter to the Editor

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Application Letter

LETTERS OF APPLICATION

- A letter o application may be written when we apply for a permanent/temporary job or educational course

- It is important to include only the information that is relevant, and to use a suitable style, formal or semi-formal

- The first paragraph mentions the

reason for writing. It can also include the

name of the job/course you are applying for and

where you saw it advertised

- The main body paragraphs can include:

what you are doing now,

what work experience you have,

your academic qualifications, and

the personal qualities which make you suitable for the job or course

- In your final paragraph, you can:

summarise the points in the main body

thank the person for considering your application

ask the person to consider you for the job/course

mention the possibility of further communication

Present tenses are normally used but some past tenses canbe used to describe your past experience. You may also use future constructions.

FOR AND AGAINST

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases

to list and add points: In the first place, To start/begin with, Secondly, Thirdly, finally, In addition (to this), Furthermore, Moreover, Besides, etc.

• to introduce or list advantages: The main/first/most important advantage of..., One/Another /An additional advantage of..., One point of view in favour of..., It is often suggested/believed/argued that..., Some/Many people suggest/feel argue that..; Some/Many people are in favour of are  convinced that.. etc.

• to introduce or list disadvantages: The main/most important disadvantage/drawback of..., One/Another/An additional disadvantage of..., One point/argument against.; Some/Many people are against... , etc.

• to introduce examples/reasons/results: for example/instance, such as, like, in particular, therefore, for this reason, because, as, since, as a result. etc.

• to show contrast: On the other hand, However, still, but, Nonetheless, Nevertheless, Although, Even though, Despite/In spite of(the fact that), etc.

• to introduce a conclusion: In conclusion, To conclude/sum up, All in all, Finally, Lastly, All things considered, Taking everything into account/consideration, etc.

Complete this exercise online

Advantages and Disadvantages Vocabulary

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benefit advantage a positive aspect pro (informal) plus (informal) one major advantage is ...	drawback disadvantage a negative feature con (informal) minus (informal) a serious drawback is ….

FEELINGS

Listening on TED TALKS

Advantages and Disadvantages essay

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 You can use the following words and expressions: 

To talk about advantages and disadvantages 

A further / major advantage… 

Another positive / negative aspect of… 

The greatest advantage/disadvantage… 

The most serious disadvantage… 

The strong point of… 

The weak point of … 

To show contrast 

But… 

Despite… 

In spite of.. 

Even though… 

However.. 

Nevertheless… 

Notwithstanding… 

On the one hand /on the other hand… 

Still… 

Whereas… 

While… 

Whilst… 

However,… 

Yet… 

To criticize a point made 

As this argument is not very convincing… 

As, in my opinion, this point has not been made clear enough… 

I cannot believe that… 

I find too many week points… 

Nobody could even consider…

Serious doubts can be raised against this… 

Other useful sentences to express your opinion: 

I firmly believe… 

In my view 

I’m convinced… 

It’s a matter of opinion… 

I share your opinion on the matter… 

To show the results of scientific evidence: 

Someone has published his/her research on … 

His/her theory provides evidence to support… 

Someone’s paper clearly shows/ proves that…