AboutRosemary Lenc Expertise I am a retired Middle School teacher. I am an expert in grammar (structure of the English
language) and writing. I have been a volunteer with AOL Ask A Teacher and have
submitted many articles and special collections (one on diagramming sentences and one
with worksheets and answers so students can check their own practice on grammar skills)
to their knowledge database. I still am with them but would like other work where I can
help students with their English study. I have time to help you with this, if you want me. I
can help with grade school, middle school and high school grammar & writing and can
also look up information on literature (reading) for students and help them with it.
Please let me know if I can be of help in these areas. Thank you.
Rosemary Lenc
Experience
Past/Present clients Have helped many, many students in grade school language arts, middle school and high
school grammar and writing in both the chat rooms (live help that AOL use to have) and
message board answers plus the many students i have taught as a teacher.
Question My dad and the rest of the family was/were scared.
Answer Dear Josh,
Because of the compound subject joined by the conjunction, and, you need the plural verb, which is "were."
Here are the rules:
Singular subject = singular verb
Plural subject - plural verb
Compound subjects, joined by the conjunction, “and”, use plural verb.
Compound subjects, joined by the conjunctions, nor, or, either...or, neither...nor, use the verb that goes with the closest subject to the verb.
Example: John nor the children were in the car. Children is plural...use plural verb.
Neither pandas nor koalas are in that zoo.
Koalas = plural...verb, are, is plural.
Neither a panda or new koalas live in that zoo.
koalas = plural (even though panda is not)...use plural verb, live...not lives.
Here are some sites that will also explain and give you some practice.
The above is my website, where I have grammar, writing and diagramming help. Click on grammar, then noun and you will find a section on collective nouns and verb agreement, which is not above in the rules.
Another site is:
The Owl at Purdue University site is great for looking up help.
Check this site out.
