NAME

CLASS

for CHAPTER 26: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS

DATE

pages 458=72

Subject-Verb Agreement B
EXERCISE A Underline the verb in each of the following sentences. If the subject and verb do not agree,
write the correct form of the verb above it. If the subject and verb agree, write C above the verb.
Have
considered
Example 1. Has you considered the role of heroes in the lives of young people?

1. Not everyone nowadays have a personal hero.

2. Some people just hasnt thought about the subject.
3. Others have not found an ideal hero.
4. Either people from history or someone alive today make a good choice for a personal hero.
5. For example, Helen Keller or Anne Frank may inspire people in difficult circumstances.
6. On the other hand, one of your own classmates are also a good candidate for a hero.
COMMON ERRORS

7. Have someone in your school been an unsung hero?

8. Each day peoples decisions affect the lives of people around them.
9. Has someone affected your life in a positive way?
10. That are the sign of a hero!

EXERCISE B In each of the following sentences, underline the subject once and the verb twice. If the

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

subject and verb do not agree, write the correct form of the verb above the verb. If the subject and verb
already agree, write C above the verb.
was achieved
Example 1. The first of six successful lunar landings by the U.S. Apollo program were achieved
on July 20, 1969.

11. One of the Apollo astronauts, Neil Armstrong, were the first human on the moon.
12. None of the early Soviet Sputnik satellites was designed for a moon landing.
13. Both Orville and Wilbur Wright was responsible for the first airplane flight, in North Carolina
in 1903.

14. Computer-created images and touch sensations is often called virtual reality.
15. Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, were freed from British rule in 1947.
16. Neither Dan nor Jill know the capital of Canada.
17. The Philippines is an island system in the southwestern Pacific.
18. Qatar, one of many Middle Eastern countries, have made use of its oil resources.
19. Gu and Thy is planning a party for their uncles visit.
20. San Salvador, the largest of El Salvadors cities, have suffered from recurring earthquakes.
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics: Language Skills Practice

359

NAME

for CHAPTER 26: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS

CLASS

DATE

pages 475=78

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A
EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the word or word group in parentheses that
creates pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Example 1. The doll, forgotten in an attic for years, is in (their, its) original box.

1. Have you tried in-line skating? (It is, They are) a fun outdoor activity.
2. Either Darren or Marco will present (their, his) report in Spanish.
3. One of my cats uses (its, their) paws to eat.
4. Angela and Trisha enjoyed (her, their) soccer team practice.
5. Neither of the bicycles still has (its, their) original tires.
6. One of our neighbors played (their, her) sitar for us.

8. Everyone contributed (their, his or her) ideas during the brainstorming session.
9. Roys bedroom needs (his, its) walls repainted with a fresh, new color.
10. After a while, this chewing gum loses (its, their) flavor.

EXERCISE B In the following sentences, cross out each pronoun that does not agree with its antecedent.
Above it, write the correct pronoun. If a sentence is already correct, write C after the sentence.
its
Example 1. Here is the microscope, but where are their lenses?

11. Each science student is choosing their own project.

12. Both Jorge and Diana chose insect study as his or her projects.
13. Diana plans to study medicine when she is in college.
14. Jorge, unlike Diana, plans on making art their major in college.
15. Jorge will make sure that the photographs in their report provide good visual support.
16. Few of the other students are as sure about his or her career goals.
17. For many seventh-graders, choices about college are still far in their future.
18. Many students view the project as a way to explore his or her interests.
19. Perhaps someone in our class will realize their dream to become a scientist.
20. The idea of studying the world around me appeals to me. They would be an interesting career.

360

ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE | First Course

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

COMMON ERRORS

7. The smaller of the two tables needs (its, their) top polished.

NAME

CLASS

for CHAPTER 26: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS

DATE

pages 475=78

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B
EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the word or word group in parentheses that
creates pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Example 1. One of the sleds blades is loose, and (it, they) should be tightened.

1. Did someone that you know leave (their, his or her) umbrella at our house?
2. The roads are safe for travel because (its, their) surfaces have been cleared of ice.
3. Either Leona or Barbara can use these skis on (his or her, her) ski trip.
4. One of the girls, wearing (their, her) raincoat, splashed happily in the puddles of rain.
5. Because (its, their) surface is frozen, the small lake looks eerily motionless.
6. Josh and his brother Jake worked all morning to clear (his, their) driveway of snow.
COMMON ERRORS

7. No one enjoys having (their, his or her) car doors frozen shut.
8. Both Charlene and Kristin are spending (their, her) afternoon at the ice rink.
9. Icicles are beautiful, but (its, their) sharp points can be dangerous.
10. Winter is my favorite of all four seasons, and I always look forward to (them, it).

EXERCISE B On the line in each sentence below, write a pronoun that agrees with the antecedent.
Example 1. Is anyone able to share

his or her

encyclopedia with me?

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

11. Either Lucy or Maxine will lend you

12. Birds fascinate me because

encyclopedia.
have the freedom of flight.

13. Im sure the Wright brothers, who invented the first successful airplane, spent some of
time watching and envying birds.

14. Everyone has

own hobby; mine is ornithology, which is the study of birds.

15. Encyclopedias are great sources of information because

have interesting

articles and accurate drawings.

16. For example, I learned that penguins are birds, but

17. In

cannot fly.

oral presentation, Janice described a bird called the shoebill stork.

18. The shoebill stork has a distinctive bill;

19. Janice said that the bird looks clumsy on land, but
20. A few of my classmates asked Janice questions;

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics: Language Skills Practice

resembles a scoop or shovel.

is graceful in flight.
share my interest in birds.

361

NAME

CLASS

for CHAPTER 26: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS

DATE

pages 485=92

Verb Forms A
EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, write the correct past or past participle form of the verb
in parentheses.
seen

Example 1. Have you

1. LaShonda

the honor roll again this semester. (make)

2. Bright green leaves

after last weeks rain. (grow)

3. Yesterday I

sushi for the first time. (eat)

4. My uncle
5. Maria

me a harmonica for my last birthday. (give)

me a card for Hanukkah last week. (send)

6. Has Mr. Kung already

you the story about that Chinese vase? (tell)

highly of the seventh-graders charity work. (speak)

8. Last weekend, my family

10. I have

to the opera. (go)

in this race each year since he was nine. (run)

to my senator about the issue. (write)

EXERCISE B In the following sentences, cross out any incorrect past or past participle verb forms. Write
the correct form above the error. If a sentence is already correct, write C after it.
spoke
Example 1. Pamela speaked to me about her plans for earning money.

11. She is only thirteen years old, but she has begin to develop a good reputation for hair care.
12. For the past year, Pamela has run an informal hair salon in her kitchen on Saturdays.
13. She has ringed up enough sales to buy quality scissors and other equipment.
14. She says she has knowed for a long time that she will open her own salon after high school.
15. Pamela has builded up a strong base of knowledge about hair care.
16. She has always weared her hair in the latest fashion.
17. Last year, I taked her advice about cutting my bangs.
18. Pamela herself did the work.
19. I feeled great about the new look!
20. I gladly payed Pamelas reasonable charge for the haircut.

362

ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE | First Course

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

COMMON ERRORS

7. The principal has

9. Pedro has

any films made in Hong Kong? (see)