learning with professionals - Higgins Counterterrorism Research ...

sentences — like a supercomma or a semiperiod. Remember that a semicolon separates,
and a colon anticipates.)
“Much the same can be said of the classes that I attended however the instructor made
a big difference.” (Many students have problems punctuating the word however. If there
are complete sentences on both sides of the “however” — as there are in the example — it
must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. If the “however” is followed
by a phrase or dependent clause — not a complete sentence — then it is set off by commas
on both sides; for example: “Much the same can be said of the classes that I attended,
however, in which the instructor made a big difference.”)
Anyone who can improve a sentence of mine by the omission or placing of a
comma is looked upon as my dearest friend.
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— George Moore
Subject-Verb Agreement. The subject of a sentence should agree in number with its
verb. If you have a singular subject, then your verb must also be singular. Writers seem to
have the most problems with this principle when their subject is separated by a lot of
words from their verb, or when there is a vague subject. Witness the following:
“The amount of funds available have had an enormous impact.” (Because of that definite
article, “the,” the verb must be “has.” If it had been “an amount,” the verb would be
correct, although the sentence would sound awkward.)
“The media has focused more on the negative effects.” (Media — like data, phenomena,
and criteria — is a plural word. “The media have” or “The medium of television
has.”)
“I think the issue of tax raises and cuts are clouded with too much emotion.” (I think it
are, too. Note that the subject is issue, but the writer used the plural verb to match the
raises and cuts.)
“Each of these areas were administered in a professional manner.” (The singular word
each is the subject of the sentence, not the plural areas.)
Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
— William Safire, in Fumblerules