Tell whether each pair of words are synonyms or antonyms.

Write
synonyms or
antonyms on each line.
1. unusual / odd _____________________
2. bright / dim _____________________
3. happy / unhappy _____________________
4. soaked / dry _____________________
5. ancient / old _____________________
6. fast / speedy _____________________
7. icy / freezing _____________________
8. remember / forget _____________________
9. illness / sickness _____________________
10. delicious / yummy _____________________
11. draw / sketch _____________________
12. friend / enemy _____________________
Read each word pair. Write an S next to word pairs that are synonyms.
Write an A next to word pairs that are antonyms.
1. sit/stand 13. rare/uncommon
2. watch/view 14. near/distant
3. work/play 15. miniature/small
4. pal/friend 16. angry/irate
5. car/automobile 17. musical/melodious
6. wild/tame 18. lead/follow
7. dull/boring 19. protect/defend
8. teach/instruct 20. buy/sell
9. hot/chilled 21. jump/leap
10. smelly/aromatic 22. book/tome
11. noisy/quiet 23. inside/within
12. rapid/fast 24. hungry/full

Use Damiana Eugenios system to classify the following proverbs. Use the given
codes.
G proverbs expressing a general attitude towards life and the laws that govern life
E ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices
V proverbs expressing a system of values
T proverbs expressing general truths/observations about life and human nature
H humorous proverbs
M miscellaneous proverbs

____ 1. Matibay ang walis, palibhasa'y magkabigkis.

A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound.
____ 2. Sa taong walang takot, walang mataas na bakod.
To a fearless person, no fence is high enough.

____ 3. Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga.

Whatever the tree, so is the fruit.
____ 4. Aanhin pa ang damo, kung patay na ang kabayo.
What good is the grass if the horse is already dead.
____ 5. Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.
If you save, you have something to withdraw.
____ 6. Ang magalang na sagot, nakakapawi ng pagod.
A respectful retort wipes away weariness.
____ 7. Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang
malangsang isda.
He who does not love the national language is worse than a smelly
fish.
____ 8. Ang mabigat ay gumagaan, kung pinagtutulungan.
A heavy burden is lightened if everyone participates in carrying it.
____ 9. Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa
ilalim.
Life is like a wheel; sometimes you are on top, sometimes you are in
the bottom.
___ 10. Ang pili ng pili, natatapat sa bungi.
One who is choosy ends up with the least attractive choice.
Proverbs
A proverb is a short saying stating a general truth, or piece
of advice. You have probably heard many proverbs in your
life and not realized it. See how many you know by filling in the
missing half of the proverbs below.
1. Absence makes _________________________________.
2. If you want something done right _______________________________________.
3. Even a broken clock __________________________________________________.
4. A friend in need _____________________________________________________.
5. A little bit of knowledge _______________________________________________.
6. A journey of a thousand miles __________________________________________.
7. Alls fair ____________________________________________________________.
8. All work and no play __________________________________________________.
9. Better safe __________________________________________________________.
10. Better the devil you know ____________________________________________ .
11. Dont judge a man until _______________________________________________.
12. Dont talk the talk unless you can _______________________________________.

Proverbs and Adages Match

Match the proverb or adage in Column A to its meaning in Column B.

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE 1

RULE: Singular subject takes singular verb. Plural subject takes plural verb.
Directions: Underline the subject and encircle the correct verb in each of the sentences below.
1. Your friend (talk-talks) too much.
2. The man with the roses (look-looks) like your brother.
3. The women in the pool (swim-swims) well.
4. Bill (drive-drives) a cab.
5. The football players (run-runs) five miles every day.

6. That red-haired lady in the fur hat (live-lives) across the street.
7. He (cook-cooks) dinner for his family.
8. The boys (walk-walks) to school every day.
9. The weather on the coast (appear-appears) to be good this weekend.
10. The center on the basketball team (bounce-bounces) the ball too high.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE 2
RULE: The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number is
followed by a plural verb.
Directions: Choose the correct word in each sentence. Encircle.
1. The number of people lined up for tickets (was, were) four hundred.
2. A number of suggestions (was, were) made.
3. There (is, are) a number of important announcements in the bulletin.
4. Here (is, are) the number of milk shakes you requested.
5. The number of people we need to hire (is, are) thirteen.
6. A number of people (has, have) written in about this subject.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE 3
RULE: Dont get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect
agreement.

Directions: Underline the subject and encircle the correct verb in each of the sentences below.
1. The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, (is, are) usually very good.
2. The President, together with his secretary (is, are) here.
3. The shoppers in the store (look, looks) tired.
4. Her collection of baseball cards (is, are) valuable.
5. The government's proposals about preserving the environment (cause, causes) controversy.
6. His assistant always (make, makes) mistakes.
7. His daughter, as well as his two sons, (want, wants) him to move.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT EXERCISE 4
RULE: Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.
1. The colors of the rainbow (is, are) beautiful.
2. A convoy of trucks (is roaring, are roaring) down the dirt road.
3. This list of names (is used, are used) to check in contestants as they arrive.
4. That group of stars (is called, are called) the Little Dipper.
5. The musicians in the band (is practicing, are practicing).
6. Sounds of music (floats, float) throughout the neighborhood.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT MIXED EXERCISE
Directions: Box the correct verb in each sentence below. Underline the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.

2. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.

3. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
4. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
5. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
6-7. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
8. A bouquet of yellow roses (lend, lends) color and fragrance to the room.
9. I (eat, eats) apple every day.
10. You (is, are) my sunshine under the rain.

Subject Verb Agreement

Directions: Circle the correct verb in the following sentences.
1. The rhythm of the pounding waves is / are calming.
2. All of the dogs in the neighborhood were / was barking.
3. A high tax, not to mention unemployment, influence / influences votes.
4. My friends and my mother like / likes each other.
5. The team and the band was / were on the field.
6. Building a good marriage and building a good log fire is / are similar in many ways.
7. John or Doris write / writes to us regularly.
8. Neither Carol nor Ted is / are excluded from the meeting.
9. Either Patty or Tom was / were asked to lead the meeting.
10. Neither the basket nor the apples was / were expensive.
11. Neither the apples nor the basket was / were expensive
12. Either Maria or you was / were late for class.
13. Either you or Maria was / were late for class.
14. Hardest hit by the high temperatures and the drought was / were the farmers.
15. Neither of them like / likes going to the show.
16. Each of them has / have a good seat.
17. Everybody in the class has / have tickets.
18. Every silver knife, fork, and spoon has / have to be counted.
19. Each cat and each dog has / have its own toy.
20. The committee is / are meeting today.
21. Ten million gallons of oil is / are a lot of oil.
22. The jury vote / votes today.
23. The number is / are very small.
24. A number of students was / were absent.
25. Ten million gallons of oil was / were spilled.

26. The majority of us is / are in favor.

27. Statistics is / are an interesting subject.

098 - Subject/Verb Agreement Quiz

You may use your agreement rule sheet to help you with this quiz.
1. Everyone these days (knows, know) that people cant really get warts by touching a
toad.
2. The whining of the impatient customers (was, were) beginning to infuriate the tired
cashier.
3. Why (does, do) the manager and the workers always have to start the day with an
argument?
4. Either the casserole or the meat dish (are, is) my cousins speciality; I forget which.
5. Glaring at each other in the wrestling ring (are, is) the two opponents, Abner the Animal
and
Khan.
6. The brightly-wrapped packages on the closet shelf (contains, contain) Lizzies presents.
7. Each of the game show contestants (give, gives) background information at the
beginning of
the show.
8. There (is, are) a Ferris wheel and two slow roller coasters at the county fair.
9. Everyone in our class (has, have) missed at least one day of class.
10. All of the catsup (has, have) spilled on the floor.
11. Today twenty dollars (are, is) not much to pay for a pair of shoes.
12. Several of the students in our class (has, have) come down with the flu.
13. Neither my sisters nor my brother (like, likes) cheery pie, my favorite.
14. My grandmother, along with her sisters, (attends, attend) church regularly.
15. Most of the wood (has, have) been used by the builders.
16. Everybody at the caf (prepare, prepares) the food.
17. Neither of the cars (is, are) for sale.
18. The science fiction club (plan, plans) to have a meeting next month.
19. One of the girls (forgets, forget) her textbook at least once a month.
20. There by the woodshed (is, are) the hammer and the nails.
21. Any of the athletes who (use, uses) steroids runs a health risk.
22. A few of the items (was, were) lost.

Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's favorite
subject.
16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
21. The committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private.
22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.
23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.

PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS

A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number, gender, and person. If the antecedent is
singular,
a singular pronoun is required. The plural antecedent requires a plural pronoun.
The following antecedents are referred to by singular pronouns: anybody, anyone, each,
either,
everybody, everyone, neither, nobody, one, somebody, someone.
ex. Each of the boys has his own savings account.

Anyone can achieve his or her goals.

Singular antecedents joined by or/nor are referred to by a singular pronoun.
ex. John nor Dave could find his jacket.
A dog or a cat can find its way home.
Collective nouns may take either a singular or plural pronoun, depending on the meaning
of the
sentence.
ex. The cast is having its picture taken. (whole group as one)
The cast quickly took their places on stage. (individuals)
Choosing the Right Pronoun. Underline the correct pronoun.
1. Neither Mary nor Laura has turned in (her, their) report.
2. Anybody can learn to set up (his, their) own tent.
3. Each of the boys takes care of (his, their) own room.
4. Neither Tom nor Jim can give (his, their) report today.
5. Anyone can join our group if (he, they) is really interested.
6. The team can't play (its, their) best when it's too hot.
7. Either Bill or Tony will lend you (his, their) book.
8. Everyone should do (his, their) best work on the project.
9. George wants to go into politics; he finds (it, them) exciting.
10. Everyone should be in (his, their) seat before the curtain goes up.
11. Some of the team are wearing (his, their) new helmets.
12. Every class officer will do (her, their) best.
13. I find that playing bridge is hard on (my, your) nerves.
14. Some of the vanilla has lost (its, their) flavor.
15. Everybody will receive (his, their) scores in the mail.
16. Someone will be disappointed by (his, their) grade on the exam.
17. One should not worry too much about (his, their) past mistakes.
18. Each of us is prepared to give (his, their) speech on Thursday.
19. Has anyone lost (her, their) jacket?
20. Nobody plays (his, their) best when the humidity is very high.
M:\9-TLC\TLC Web Design\Handouts Worksheets\Grammar.Punctuation.Writing\Pronouns
and
Antecedents.doc
1. Neither Mary nor Laura has turned in (her, their) report.

2. Anybody can learn to set up (his, their) own tent.

3. Each of the boys takes care of (his, their) own room.
4. Neither Tom nor Jim can give (his, their) report today.
5. Anyone can join our group if (he, they) is really interested.
6. The team can't play (its, their) best when it's too hot.
7. Either Bill or Tony will lend you (his, their) book.
8. Everyone should do (his, their) best work on the project.
9. George wants to go into politics; he finds (it, them) exciting.
10. Everyone should be in (his, their) seat before the curtain goes up.
11. Some of the team are wearing (his, their) new helmets.
12. Every class officer will do (her, their) best.
13. I find that playing bridge is hard on (my, your) nerves.
14. Some of the vanilla has lost (its, their) flavor.
15. Everybody will receive (his, their) scores in the mail.
16. Someone will be disappointed by (his, their) grade on the exam.
17. One should not worry too much about (his, their) past mistakes.
18. Each of us is prepared to give (his, their) speech on Thursday.
19. Has anyone lost (her, their) jacket?
20. Nobody plays (his, their) best when the humidity is very high.
Circle the correct form of the pronoun.
1. Jane and Sarah said (she, they) were too tired to skate any longer.
2. Either Bill or John will bring a sample of (his, their) own work.
3. Jane and Jill called (her, their) friend.
4. Either Jane or her friends will present (her, their) project.
5. Neither Mary nor Susan said (she, they) would be there.
6. Every student wants to impress (his or her, their) professors.
7. Both John and Jim said (he, they) were not exercising regularly.
8. The jury was asked to return to (its, their) seats.
9. Please remind each student to bring (his or her, their) homework tomorrow.
10. Neither John nor Bob was willing to admit that (he, they) had cheated.
11. Each of the girls had (her, their) assignment completed.
12. Every worker in this office needs (his or her, their) own computer.
13. The committee finally made (its, their) decision public.
14. Nobody remembered to bring (his or her, their) photos.

15. Neither girl will wear (her, their) black pants.

16. Beth and Jane reported the problem to (her, their) supervisor.
17. Each teacher turned in (his or her, their) grades to the principal.
18. The choir presented (its, their) final performance.
19. Either the employees or Ms. Jones will make (their, her) presentation.
20. Both Suzi and Beth will try to see (her, their) parents over the weekend.

Underline the antecedent for the underlined pronoun in each sentence. If the pronoun has
no antecedent, write no antecedent; if the antecedent is not clear, write not clear.
Example: The boy wore his yellow raincoat.
1.

Everyone at the party enjoyed her evening.

2.

The car has a leak in its transmission.

3.

Wearing a hat when it snows is wise.

4.

More and more physicians are beginning to look not just for illnesses but also for
patients habits with long-term health implications. This is definite progress.

5.

The cow twitched its tail at the fly.

6.

Someone from the circus led the injured horse out of the ring.

7.

I go to Hockey Homeland every Tuesday to watch them practice.

8.

My aunt asked me to catch her dog.

9.

The audience clapped its hands.

10.

The audience applauded her performance.

11.

The student used her pen to write in her notebook; then she put it away.

12.

The hostages have been free for months, but some have not yet recovered from
the experience.

13.

Ed Blaker promoted Bill this morning; he will go on the Washington trip next week.

14.

During winter snowstorms, the sparrows depend on our feeder for their food.

15.

The rain continued to fall, and the mud grew deeper until it finally stopped.

COLLOQUIAL PAIR PHRASES

1. Choose the appropriate colloquial pair phrase to complete the sentences. (Part 1)

prim and proper

nail
by and large
sound

to and fro
pros and cons

odds and ends

down and out

hard and fast

length & breadth

tooth &
safe and

(A) She is very ________________________ about everything. Make sure you dont use any
swear words around her.
(B) You can find quality beer throughout the _______________________ of Ireland.
(C) She believes that, ___________________, there is nothing we can do to change anything.
(D) Im afraid these rules are ___________________. We cant make any exceptions.
(E) Now, youll have to fight ___________________ to win this game.
(F) We just had __________________ for dinner.
(G) Im afraid that John is ____________________. I saw him begging the other day.
(H) Their parents were relieved when they arrived ____________________ from their hiking
trip.
(I) Ive been running _____________________ all day long. Im exhausted.
(J) You need to consider the ____________________ before you make a decision.

2. (Part 2).

ins and outs

cloak and dagger

song and dance collar and tie

bobs

up and about

ups and downs

pins and needles

sick and tired

bits and

(A) I love reading suspenseful ____________________ novels.

(B) When I called the computer company all I got was a ___________________.
(C) Shes _____________________ of her boss. I think shes looking for a new job.
(D) As soon as you learn the ____________________ of the business, youll be very successful.
(E) I keep all the _____________________ in that draw over there.
(F) Dont worry, youll be ___________________ within 10 days.
(G) Its a formal dinner, very much a ____________________ affair.

(H) Of course all marriages have their ____________________, but they are worth the effort.
(I) Im sitting on ____________________ about the job interview next week. Im so nervous.

3. In each sentence replace one or more words with one of the words given, so that the
sentence has the opposite meaning.

appreciate

prosperous

rise

wasteful

dear

make

purchase

squander

worthless

(A) The precious stones our company mines are now known to be priceless.
(B) Nigel cannot get used to being an unsuccessful businessman.
(C) The company has decided to sell its premises on East Road.
(D) I like living in this part of town. Of course, its very cheap!
(E) Jim inherited $20,000 and managed to save it all.
(F) We were poor when we were young and my father was very thrifty.
(G) At the moment house values are going down in this area.
(H) The workers were given a cut in wages when the take over was announced.
(I) Nobody thought that the company would lose a lot of money.

Answers:

1. Choose the appropriate colloquial pair phrase to complete the sentences. (Part 1)

prim and proper

nail
by and large
sound

to and fro
pros and cons

odds and ends

down and out

hard and fast

length & breadth

tooth &
safe and

(A) She is very prim and proper about everything. Make sure you dont use any swear
words
around her.
(B) You can find quality beer throughout the length & breadth of Ireland.
(C) She believes that, by and large, there is nothing we can do to change anything.
(D) Im afraid these rules are hard and fast. We cant make any exceptions.
(E) Now, youll have to fight tooth & nail to win this game.
(F) We just had odds and ends for dinner.
(G) Im afraid that John is down and out. I saw him begging the other day.
(H) Their parents were relieved when they arrived safe and sound from their hiking trip.
(I) Ive been running to and fro all day long. Im exhausted.
(J) You need to consider the pros and cons before you make a decision.

2. (Part 2).

ins and outs

cloak and dagger

song and dance collar and tie

bobs

up and about

ups and downs

pins and needles

sick and tired

bits and

(A) I love reading suspenseful cloak and dagger novels.

(B) When I called the computer company all I got was a song and dance .
(C) Shes sick and tired of her boss. I think shes looking for a new job.
(D) As soon as you learn the ins and outs of the business, youll be very successful.
(E) I keep all the bits and bobs in that draw over there.

(F) Dont worry, youll be up and about within 10 days.

(G) Its a formal dinner, very much a collar and tie affair.
(H) Of course all marriages have their ups and downs, but they are worth the effort.
(I) Im sitting on pins and needles about the job interview next week. Im so nervous.

3. In each sentence replace one or more words with one of the words given, so that the
sentence has the opposite meaning.

appreciate

prosperous

rise

wasteful

dear

make

purchase

squander

worthless

(A) The precious stones our company mines are now known to be worthless.
(B) Nigel cannot get used to being a prosperous businessman.
(C) The company has decided to purchase its premises on East Road.
(D) I like living in this part of town. Of course, its very dear!
(E) Jim inherited $20,000 and managed to squander it all.
(F) We were poor when we were young and my father was very wasteful.
(G) At the moment house values are appreciating in this area.
(H) The workers were given a rise in wages when the take over was announced.
(I) Nobody thought that the company would make a lot of money.