CHAPTER 5 Subject-Verb Agreement

1. CHAPTER 5 Subject-Verb Agreement Wedding Traditions

2. Every region and culturehas its own traditions. A popular wedding tradition in the United States involves the wedding guests cheering as the newlyweds get in their car and drive away. Decorating the married couple’s getaway car hasbeen a popular tradition for many years. The couple’s friends and family typically writethe words “Just married” on the back windshield of the car. Floral arrangements on the cararealso quite common. Thereisalso an interesting custom that involves tying aluminum cans to the back of the car. The origin of tying cans to wedding carsisnot known, but there are many differenttheories. According to one suggestion, the tradition comesfrom the 13th and 14th centuries in England. As the bride and groom went away in their carriage, wedding guests threw their shoes at them.Hittingthe vehicle with a shoe was good luck. Later, people began tying shoes to the car instead of throwing them. No one wantsto destroy a good pair of shoes, so instead of shoes, people began tying cans to the getaway car.

3. Basic Subject-Verb Agreement For third person singular verbs in the present tense, use verb + -s/-es. The tradition comesfrom the 13th and 14th centuries in England. Two or more subjects connected by and require a plural verb. The couple’s friends and family typically write“Just married” on the car. Expressions with every and each are followed by singular nouns. Even when there are two or more nouns connected by and, the verb is singular. Every region and culturehas its own traditions.

4. More Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Sometimes a phrase or clause separates a subject from its verb. These interrupting structures do not affect basic agreement. A popular wedding tradition that is found in many different cultures involves the wedding guests cheering as the newlyweds leave. Floral arrangements on the cararealso quite common. A gerund used as the subject of the sentence requires a singular verb. Hittingthe vehicle with a shoe was considered good luck.

5. A lot of modern brides are choosing to drop some of these old-fashioned wedding traditions from their ceremonies. One of the traditions is throwing the bride’s bouquet. According to superstition, when the bride tosses her bouquet to a crowd of single women, the one who catches it will be the next to get married. There areseveral alternatives to this tradition. A number of brides are ignoring the tradition completely and keeping the bouquet. Some brides prefer to split the bouquet into smaller arrangements and give them to important women, such as their mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. The number of times that the bride splits the bouquetis her decision.

6. With most expressions of quantity, the verb is determined by the noun that follows of. A lot of modern brides are choosing to drop old-fashioned traditions from their wedding ceremonies. (brides = plural) Some of the flowersarepink. (flowers = plural) (bouquet = singular) Some of the bouquetispink.

7. A number of is an expression of quantity. It is always followed by a plural noun + plural verb. The number refers to one specific number. It takes a singular verb. A number of brides are ignoring the tradition. (A number of brides = A lot of brides) The number of times that the bouquetis split is up to the bride. (The number = a specific number)

8. The subject follows be when there is used. There is a “Just Married” sign on the back of the car. a sign = singular There are severalcanstied to the car. several cans = plural

9. PRACTICE 1 – Complete the sentences with the simple present form of the verb in parentheses. 1. There ______ (be) many different ways to celebrate a wedding. 2. A number of couples _________ (choose) to blend traditional wedding customs with modern ones. 3. There _____ (be) often a multi-layered cake at wedding celebrations. 4. The number of guests ________ (vary) from wedding to wedding. 5. At some weddings, each of the guests ____________ (receive) a party favor, such as a box of chocolates or a candle. 6. A popular wedding tradition in some Middle Eastern countries __________ (involve) the bride painting her hands with henna. are choose is varies receives involves

10. PRACTICE 2 – Ask Your Partner. 1. What are some important wedding traditions in your culture? 2. How much does a wedding usually cost? 3. Who is responsible for paying for the wedding expenses? 4. Who is responsible for planning the wedding? 5. What do all weddings have in common? 6. How is each wedding unique? 7. What is the typical number of guests at a wedding? 8. Are there any new wedding traditions in your culture?