Agreement of the Predicate with the Subject

Ex. 649. Read the sentences and comment on the agreement of the verb with the subject

I. The dog barks. 2. The dogs bark. 3. A list of many things has been drawn up. 4. Agreement is one of those points in grammar that always confuse me. 5. Three months of my work were wasted. 6. The longest of modern epics is Joyce's Ulysses. 7. Ulysses is one of the most interesting books that have ever been written. 8. The cause of the typhoon is known. 9. One of the cats has scratched the children. 10. Charles is one of those experienced accountants who never fail to spot an error. II. Two ships of the Asiatic fleet are missing. 12. The theme of the novel is the experiences of a Hollywood writer.

Ex. 650. Choose the right verb form

1. Nora and I (am, are) great friends. 2. (Was, were) there three patients due today? 3. Laughing and giggling (irritate, irritates) John's Granny. 4. Here, in the desk, of all places, (was, were) the thermometer and the screwdriver. 5. Candlelight and wine (add, adds) a touch of romance to the party. 6. A black and white dog (is, are) guarding the house. 7. A black and a white dog (is, are) sitting on the porch. 8. The Dean and Lexicology lecturer (was, were) in the lecture theatre. 9. The director and the manager (has, have) signed the contract. 10. The cheese and the butter (is, are) in the shopping bag. 11. Whisky and soda (is, are) his favourite drink. 12. For supper there (was, were) fish and different vegetables to it. 13. There (was, were) cakes and tea for breakfast. 14. Cleopatra, as well as her entire retinue, (was, were) eager to meet Caesar. 15. Cleopatra and her entire retinue (was, were) eager to meet Caesar. 16. New York, together with all the other states, (vote, votes) for President. 17. Ellen, as well as her friends, (dislike, dislikes) classical music. 18. The soldiers, along with their commander, (enter, enters) the bivouac area. 19. The bacon and the eggs (is, are) in the fridge. 20. My cousin with his workmate (is, are) visiting us today. 21. David and his wife (has, have) just come. 22. All of the cake (was, were) eaten. 23. All the candidates (promises, promise) to do their best. 24. Every plant and animal (has, have) its own ecological niche.

 

Ex 651. Translate into English.

1. Женщина с ребенком на руках стояла у ворот.

2. Оба брата, также как и их сестра, учатся водить машину. 3. У Ирины и Кати много общего. 4. На сто­ле лежала раскрытая книга и несколько журналов. 5. Джин и тоник — его любимый напиток. 6. Первого сентября каждый студент получает студенческий би­лет. 7. Эта фотография моих школьных друзей напо­минает мне о школьных годах. 8. Качество этих то­варов прекрасное. 9. Рекламные ролики на телеви­дении становятся все более изобретательными. 10. У каждого из нас свои обязанности. 11. Я, также как и вы, удовлетворен результатами работы. 12. Все гото­во. 13. Все готовы начать опыт. 14. Алексей — один из тех сотрудников, которые всегда работают сверх нормы. 15. Фактически, Алик единственный сотруд. ник, который всегда работает сверхурочно. 16. В каж­дом городе, городке, деревушке имеется главная ули ца. 17. Вон там идут наши студенты и секретарша. 18. Вот и наш декан и преподаватели.

Ex. 652. Read and translate the sentences. Comment on the cases of agreement in them

I. The committee have not agreed on many points. 2. The committee has been appointed for a second term. 3. After consulting, the jury reports its verdict. 4. The jury still disagree on many points. 5. The data is all in. (informal) 6. The data are all in. (formal) 7. The team need time to learn to cooperate with one another. 8. The team wearing black and red controls the ball. 9. The crew have divided the loot among themselves. 10. The crew is well-trained.

II. The director chose this cast because they had experience in the roles. 12. This cast consists of twenty actors. 13. The family of ducklings scatter when the cat approaches. 14. His family now is rather big. 15. All is clear. 16. All were happy. 17. The staff of this bank is very competent. 18. Our staff are visiting theatres, restaurants, different presentations from time to time. 19. The public stop and stare. 20. The council have been promising to mend the fences, doors and windows for years. 21. A huge fire broke out near a farm. The country fire department were called out. 22. The school were happily anticipating their Halloween feast. 23. The public have the right to know.

Ex. 653. Choose the right verb form. Mind the ambiguous cases.

1. Visiting relatives (is, are) treacherous. 2. Flying planes (is, are) dangerous. 3. It (pains, plain) me to see so much misery in the world. 4. Walls of glass (characterizes, characterize) much modern architecture. 5. In many species, the male, as well as female, (cares, care) for the offspring. 6. A backpack, a canteen, and a rifle (was, were) issued to each recruit. 7. Drinking and driving (remains, remain) a major cause of highway fatalities. 8. Fried ham and grits (is, are) Diane's idea of a great breakfast. 9. His closest friend and political ally (was, were) his brother. 10. Laws, rules, or convention (governs, govern) most of our everyday decisions. 11. The football team (was, were) beginning to quarrel with one another when the manager arrived. 12. There (is, are) a table, four chairs, and a sofa in the room. 13. The committee (has, have) arranged a new series of programmes. 14. The jury (has, have) been unable to decide upon a verdict. 15. He inspected each of the cars which (was, were) in the garage. 16. Fiona, along with her friends, (is, are) planning a party. 17. Each generation (has, have) its own slang. 18. That generation (has, have) sold their souls for money. 19. The crew (was, were) experienced pilots. 20. This bunch (was, were) whispering excitedly.

Ex. 654. Translate into English

1. Эта команда— призер чемпионата. 2. Команда мыла палубу. 3. Семья сидела за столом. 4. — А ка­кая у него семья? — Они чудные люди. 5. Была об­разована комиссия для разработки нового проекта. 6. Комиссия придерживается мнения, что план может быть выполнен за два года. 7. Люди обычно любят, когда их хвалят. 8. Мой класс — 7Б. 9. Мой класс сегодня совершенно неуправляемый. 10. Жюри раз­делилось. Они были не в состоянии прийти к едино­му решению. 11. В моей семье все обожают шоколад (to be a chocoholic). 12. На площади была огромная толпа народа. 13. Труппа этого театра учит роли но­вого спектакля. 14. Наша школа закрывается на все лето. 15. Вся школа только и говорила об этом про­исшествии. 16. Совет состоит из одиннадцати чело­век. 17. Британский Совет работает со многими ре­гионами Российской Федерации. 18. Сотрудники со­бираются в конференц-зале.

 

Ex. 655. Say which of the following words agree with is and which with are

Clothes, money, customs, news, memoirs, pence, linen, leafage, glasses, advice, police, arms, information, scissors, weather, progress, knowledge, scales, jeans, furniture, work, equipment, pajamas, poultry, measles, cattle, mumps, the French, the rich, the mysterious.

Ex. 656. Use the right form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Measles still (strike) many Americans. 2. A pair of jeans (be) what I need to buy. 3. These trousers (be) very good. 4. (Be) your glasses expensive? 5. There (be) a lot of news in the e-mail. 6. The customs (be) at the end of the terminal. 7. Where your linen (come) from? 8. (Be) furniture sold here? 9. The cattle (be) in the fields now. 10. Diabetes (be) an illness caused by too much sugar in the blood. 11. His earnings (be) quite good. 12. What (be) the weather like in London now? 13. Dice (be) used in many games. 14. Your progress (make) everybody happy. 15. Work (be) the best cure of all the problems. 16. Her clothes (be) chic and (cost) a fortune. 17. Martha's poultry (be) the best in the village. 18. How (be) the wounded? 19. The goods (be) checked regularly. 20. The contents of the contract (change) yesterday. 21. Dice (tell) us interesting things. 22. All the floor sweepings and potato peelings (be) carried away into this particular chute. 23. Your hair (grow) fast?

Ex. 657. Read the sentences and comment on agreement in them.

1. Neither my roommate nor my parents are going to vote. 2. Neither you nor Maria was among the invited. 3. Either you or I am wrong. 4. Either the defendant or the witnesses are lying. 5. Of the two jobs, neither holds much appeal. 6. Neither Boris nor his sisters plan to enter University. 7. Either my mother or I make breakfast each morning. 8. Either of these buses goes

past my college. 9. None of the projects was useful to use. 10. None of these books is (are) worth reading. 11. None of the cake is left. 12. None of the applicants was (were) competent enough.

Ex. 658. Translate into English.

1. И тот, и другой вариант возможен. 2. Ни тот, ни другой ответ не является верным. 3. Либо управля­ющий, либо его помощники ответственны за постав­ки. 4. Ни дети, ни их мама не занимаются спортом. 5. Никто из нас не знает, было ли изменено содержа­ние программы. 6. — Либо ты, либо он виноват. — Никто не виноват, просто не повезло. 7. Она приме­рила несколько пар обуви, но ни одна не пришлась ей по вкусу. 8. Ни одно из заданий не было доста­точно трудным. 9. Здесь не говорят ни по-русски, ни по-немецки. 10. Ни одна из двух альтернатив меня не устраивает. 11. Было поздно, но ни один из детей еще не спал. 12. Ни один из симптомов этой болезни пока не проявился.

Ex. 659. Read the sentences and comment on agreement in them.

I. The number of Congress members is about 400. 2. An enormous number of photographs were taken. 3. The number of books in this library is great. 4. A number of new dictionaries are on sale now. 5. Mathematics is not always an exact science. 6. The mathematics (calculations) of the project are not quite exact. 7. Statistics is a course many students really dread. 8. The statistics of that study are highly questionable. 9. A great variety of whisky is produced in Scotland. 10. The variety of magazines on sale today is amazing. I1. A great variety of children's toys are produced in the world. 12. He tells me that most of Majorca is mountains. 13. Most of us have strong views on life. 14. Most Arabic speakers understand English. 15. The amount of student grants at this University is considerable. 16. The percentage of young voters has risen. 17. A percentage of the work is finished. 18. a percentage of the reports are finished. 19. Sixty percent of the students are working. 20. Sixty percent of th_e work force is absent. 21. A (the) majority of teachers at our school are women.

Ex. 660. Read the text and retell it Comment on the words in bold type

The Language of Business

Here is a firm prediction for the years ahead. The impossible English language will be struggled with, cursed and brutalized by more students next year than ever before. It is the lingua franca of business to an extent not imaginable even a decade ago. Three-quarters of the world's mail, telexes and cables are in English; English is the medium of 80% of all information stored in the world's computers; 45% of scientific public­ations are in English. And each of these figures is

growing.

English is now the official language of a number of international companies. Unilever, Philips, Olivetti and France's Total require English of their middle and top level managers. IVECO, an Italian truck maker, and Cap Gemini Sogeti, one of Europe's largest software producers, both use English as their house language. The EFTA organization has English as its official language despite the fact that none of its six member countries uses it as a native language. The EC, by contrast, so complicates its affairs by using all nine official languages that 60% of its administrative budget goes on translation and interpretation, despite the fact that most of its staff speak English or French.

The teaching of English as a foreign language is a major (£1 billion) business in Britain; it is as large as that in continental Europe and twice as large in both America and Asia. It is growing by 10% a year. Over one billion people now speak English.

The first foreign language the Japanese learn is English. Every Japanese child who finishes secondary school will have had an average of eight years of English language instruction for a total of over 1,000 hours. There are over 700 English language training schools in Tokyo alone; as many as there are in all of England. A further 13,000 Japanese students undertake courses, many of which emphasize language as well as technical skills, in America. Managers in Japanese firms are sometimes promoted for their English rather than for their business skills. The storage of Japanese managers able to speak other European languages is far greater; this is a major factor in luring Japanese firms to Britain rather than anywhere else in the EC.

(from The Economist)

 

Ex, 661. Translate into English.

1. Большинство студентов нашего университета — москвичи. 2. Большое число ветеранов было пригла­шено на традиционную встречу. 3. Число членов это­го общества постоянно увеличивается. 4. Две трети золотого запаса страны израсходовано. 5. Три четвер­ти этого штата — мужчины. 6. Большинство детей любят цирк (to be fond of). 7. Число книг, которые нужно прочитать по этому предмету, с километр (милю) длиной. 8. Докладчику задали ряд вопросов. 9. Большое разнообразие учебников по английскому языку представлено сейчас в наших магазинах. 10. Есть целый ряд причин для его отставки. 11. Раз­нообразие магазинов в Милане просто поразительно. 12. Большое разнообразие красивых магазинов появи­лось в Москве за последние годы. 13. Большинство моих друзей придерживается того же мнения. 14. Два процента бюджета выделяется на культуру. 15. По­литика меня не интересует. 16. Каковы политичес­кие взгляды этого руководителя? 17. Акустика этого концертного зала очень современна. 18. Акустика — это наука о звуках. 1 9. Большинство моих студентов интересуются языком. 20. Три четверти его времени посвящено работе.

 

Ex. 662. Read and translate the sentences Comment on agreement in them

1. That is what interests me. 2. It is the children we live for. 3. It was they who organized all this. 4. The ten minutes is up. 5. Two plus two is four. 6. Two metres is not enough for such a dress. 7. Twenty years is nothing in comparison with eternity. 8. It's they, not you, who are at fault. 9. Twenty five dollars is the price of the return ticket. 10. "Seven Days" is a very popular magazine. 11. Just look! This lazybones is sleeping again! 12. "Gulliver's Travels" was my favourite book when I was a kid. 13. What a butter-fingers Tom is! 14. The Netherlands is a beautiful country. 15. It was a summons from the local police station. 16. Broadcasting House is the headquarters of the BBC.

Ex. 663. Translate into English

1. Это мы должны все организовать, но не они. 2. «Ты­сяча и одна ночь» — замечательная книга. 3. Прошло двадцать пять лет с тех пор, как они женаты. 4. Двад­цать пять лет брака — это больше, чем любовь. 5. Три мушкетера были неразлучны. 6. «Три мушкетера» — один самых известных романов А. Дюма. 7. Сорок ки­лометров — расстояние от Москвы до моей дачи. 8. Это сказка о трех толстяках. 9. «Три товарища» Э. Ремар­ка были поставлены в «Современнике». 10. На столе лежали две повестки. 11. Остатки ее второго завтра­ка все еще были на кухонном столе. 12. Развалины Греции полны древней истории.

Ex. 664. Give the right form of the verbs in brackets

1. Ten kilograms (be) a lot to lose in one month. 2. Five minutes (be) given to each speaker. 3. Half of her fortune (be) in jewels. 4. Half of her jewels (be) stolen. 5. Half of the cake (be eaten). 6. Half of the pies (be) eaten. 7. Statistics (be) a very important science in the life of any society. 8. Recent statistics on birthrate in this country (be) not very encouraging. 9. All of the money (be) gone. 10. All of the books (be) lost. 11. The number of homeless people (be) great. 12. A number of women now (be) against the new trends in fashion. 13. The cargo on the ship (be) oranges. 14. Many a prisoner (have) tried to escape. 15. It (be) they who raised the question. 16. It (be) millions of miles to the moon. 17. Seventy-nine years (be) a long time to love and to hate. 18. The contents of the glass (be) not hard to guess. Poison it was.

Ex. 665. Translate into English

1. Число учебных заведений в столице растет из года в год. 2. Роман «Большие надежды» написан Ч. Дик­кенсом. 3. На симпозиуме присутствовал ряд извест­ных ученых. 4. «Кентерберийские рассказы» Чосера повествуют о различных социальных группах людей. 5. Число детей, рождающихся в стране, уменьшается. 6. Роман, также как и многие его экранизации, дает пищу уму. 7. Товар разгружают как раз сейчас. 8. Никто из нас не безгрешен. 9. Его знание языков и бизнеса помогает ему в работе. 10. Скорость света — 180 тысяч миль в час. 11. Сто унций золота стоят боль­ших денег. 12. Ни девочки, ни ее родителей не было дома. 13. Англия ожидает, что каждый человек вы­полнит свой долг. 14. Жюри разошлось во мнениях. 15. Знать ее значит любить ее. 16. Средства информа­ции вышли из-под контроля во время этих событий. 17. — Дрожжи свежие? — Они свежайшие. 18. — Мои часы отстают. — А мои спешат. 19. Многие люди уве­рены, что мафия всесильна. 20. Оказалось, что поли­ция замешана в этом преступлении. 21. Я не могу найти тебя на этой фотографии. Который из них ты? 22. Ни одна из партий не хочет выдвигать его своим кандидатом. 23. — У швейцарцев очень интересная армия. Она не воевала пятьсот лет. — Им повезло 24. Никто так не слеп, как те, кто не хочет видеть

25. «Сто лет одиночества» Габриэля Маркеса — очень интересный роман.