EXERCISES for CHAPTER 17. NOUNS INDICATING POSSESSION AND COMPOUND SUBJECTS
1. For each of the following phrases, change the noun indicating possession from the singular to the plural. For example:
the man’s experiences
the men’s experiences
the doctor’s office
the doctors’ office
1. the musician’s instruments
2. the child’s adventures
3. the animal’s habitat
4. the workman’s instructions
5. the ship’s passengers
6. the pilot’s vacation
7. the officer’s friends
Answers
2. For each of the following phrases, change the noun indicating possession from the plural to the singular. For example:
the owners’ permission
the owner’s permission
the mice’s nest
the mouse’s nest
1. the surgeons’ skill
2. the policemen’s warning
3. the directors’ decision
4. the secretaries’ correspondence
5. the eagles’ aerie
6. the women’s errand
7. the managers’ assistants
Answers
3. Show the relationships between the possessors and the things possessed by using the ending ‘s or the word of, as appropriate. For example:
Possessor Thing Possessed Indicating Possession
visitor map the visitor’s map
stairs top the top of the stairs
1. woman scarf
2. children answers
3. door color
4. concert beginning
5. instructor advice
6. deficit size
7. girl tricycle
8. building height
9. hen cackling
10. boy parents
11. chair arm
12. street length
Answers
4. For each of the following sentences, fill in the blank with either the singular or the plural verb form shown in brackets. Be prepared to explain why the form you have chosen is correct. For example:
The committee ____ put forward a new proposal. (has, have)
The committee has put forward a new proposal.
In this example the committee is acting as a whole. Therefore a singular verb is used.
The committee ____ disagreed on what policy to adopt. (has, have)
The committee have disagreed on what policy to adopt.
In this example, the members of the committee are acting as individuals. Therefore a plural verb is used.
Two tons of coal __ required. (is, are)
Two tons of coal is required.
In this example, the amount two tons is considered as a whole. Therefore a singular verb is used.
1. The crew ______ preparing the ship to go to sea. (is, are)
2. The crew ______ different levels of experience. (has, have)
3. Two pounds of butter _____ too much. (is, are)
4. The class _____ not agree on what should be done. (does, do)
5. The class _____ contributed eighty dollars to the cause. (has, have)
6. Three ounces of gold _____ worth more than three ounces of copper. (is, are)
7. The group _____ decided to hold a meeting once a month. (has, have)
8. The group _____ varied backgrounds. (has, have)
9. Fifty cents _____ the regular price. (was, were)
10. Six dollars _____ been collected. (has, have)
Answers
5. For each of the following sentences, fill in the blank with either the singular or the plural verb form shown in brackets. Be prepared to explain why the form you have chosen is correct. For example:
Both the sky and the water ___ blue. (is, are)
Both the sky and the water are blue.
The two nouns of a compound subject with and refer to two different things. Therefore a plural verb is used.
Wilson and Brothers __ a company dealing in antiques. (is, are)
Wilson and Brothers is a company dealing in antiques.
The two nouns of a compound subject with and refer to one thing. Therefore a singular verb is used.
Either Richard or his uncle __ sure to be there. (is, are)
Either Richard or his uncle is sure to be there.
A singular noun is nearest the verb in a compound subject with or. Therefore a singular verb is used.
Neither the main office nor the branch offices ___ open. (is, are)
Neither the main office nor the branch offices are open.
A plural noun is nearest the verb in a compound subject with nor. Therefore a plural verb is used.
1. Either a large jar or two small jars _____ required. (is, are)
2. Neither the road nor the highway ______ to Pictou. (leads, lead)
3. A duck and a heron _____ in the pond. (is, are)
4. Either spring or summer _____ a good time to visit our region. (is, are)
5. Both the bow and the arrows ______ to the instructor. (belongs, belong)
6. Neither the boats nor the raft _____ in good repair. (was, were)
7. Milk and porridge _____ a nutritious breakfast. (is, are)
8. Either his brother or his sister ______ here. (lives, live)
9. Both boys and girls _____ eligible to apply. (is, are)
10. Neither threats nor persuasion _____ proved effective. (has, have)
11. Bread and potatoes _____ staple foods in many parts of North America. (is, are)
12. Either the twins or their friend _____ in the class. (is, are)
13. The Picts and the Martyrs _____ a book I would like to read again. (is, are)
14. Both feathers and fur ______ to keep animals warm. (helps, help)
15. Rope or string _____ required. (is, are)
16. Either plates or saucers _____ suitable. (is, are)
17. Smith and Smith _____ a family business. (is, are)
18. Neither the apples nor the plums _____ ripe. (was, were)
Answers
6. For each of the following sentences, place brackets around the phrase which describes the noun subject. Then, using the Simple Present tense, fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb shown in brackets. For example:
The tools, including the hammer, ___ made of iron. (to be)
The tools, [including the hammer,] are made of iron.
The ferry, as well as the other boats, ___ at anchor. (to be)
The ferry, [as well as the other boats,] is at anchor.
1. The letter, as well as the postcards, _____ on the table. (to be)
2. The windows at the front of the house _____ to be repaired. (to need)
3. His friends, as well as his sister, _____ about to leave. (to be)
4. The meadow, filled with flowers, _____ a beautiful sight. (to be)
5. The children in the class _____ eager to learn. (to be)
6. The kettle, in contrast to the saucepans, _____ pitch black. (to be)
7. The books, although purchased only last year, already _____ worn. (to look)
8. The leader of the musicians _____ responsible for the arrangements. (to be)
9. The table, together with the chairs, _____ quite old. (to be)
10. The members of the club ________ attending the meetings. (to enjoy)
Answers
ANSWERS for CHAPTER 17. NOUNS INDICATING POSSESSION AND COMPOUND SUBJECTS
Answers to Exercise 1:
1. the musicians’ instruments 2. the children’s adventures 3. the animals’ habitat 4. the workmen’s instructions 5. the ships’ passengers 6. the pilots’ vacation 7. the officers’ friends
Answers to Exercise 2:
1. the surgeon’s skill 2. the policeman’s warning 3. the director’s decision 4. the secretary’s correspondence 5. the eagle’s aerie 6. the woman’s errand 7. the manager’s assistants
Answers to Exercise 3:
1. the woman’s scarf 2. the children’s answers 3. the color of the door 4. the beginning of the concert 5. the instructor’s advice 6. the size of the deficit 7. the girl’s tricycle 8. the height of the building 9. the hen’s cackling 10. the boy’s parents 11. the arm of the chair 12. the length of the street
Answers to Exercise 4:
1. is [acting as a whole] 2. have [considered individually] 3. is [considered as a whole] 4. do [acting individually] 5. has [acting as a whole] 6. is [considered as a whole] 7. has [acting as a whole] 8. have [considered individually] 9. was [considered as a whole] 10. has [considered as a whole]
Answers to Exercise 5:
1. are [or: noun nearest the verb is plural] 2. leads [nor: noun nearest the verb is singular] 3. are [and: subject refers to more than one thing] 4. is [or: noun nearest the verb is singular] 5. belong [and: subject refers to more than one thing] 6. was [nor: noun nearest the verb is singular] 7. is [and: subject refers to a single type of breakfast] 8. lives [or: noun nearest the verb is singular] 9. are [and: subject refers to more than one thing] 10. has [or: noun nearest the verb is singular] 11. are [and: subject refers to more than one thing] 12. is [or: noun nearest the verb is singular] 13. is [and: title of a book] 14. help [and: subject refers to more than one thing] 15. is [or: noun nearest the verb is singular] 16. are [or: noun nearest the verb is plural] 17. is [and: name of a company] 18. were [nor: noun nearest the verb is plural]
Answers to Exercise 6:
1. The letter, [as well as the postcards,] is on the table. 2. The windows [at the front of the house] need to be repaired. 3. His friends, [as well as his sister,] are about to leave. 4. The meadow, [filled with flowers,] is a beautiful sight. 5. The children [in the class] are eager to learn. 6. The kettle, [in contrast to the saucepans] is pitch black. 7. The books, [although purchased only last year] already look worn. 8. The leader [of the musicians] is responsible for the arrangements. 9. The table, [together with the chairs,] is quite old. 10. The members [of the club] enjoy attending the meetings.
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