Questions and Answers
Which of the following sentences correctly demonstrates the use of a modifier?
What is the correct reported speech transformation of: 'I will go to the store'?
Which of the following changes is NOT correct when converting to reported speech?
Which sentence correctly uses the phrase in reported speech while maintaining clarity?
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What is the error in the sentence: 'The plane came to a halt dressed in a grass skirt'?
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Which of the following demonstrates correct usage for changing a quote into reported speech?
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What pronoun does 'my' change to in reported speech?
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What is a common mistake when forming reported speech?
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When the Government acts as a single body, how should it be treated in a sentence?
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Which of the following sentences uses the correct treatment of the collective noun?
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What is the correct verb form to use with the subject 'neither the man nor the woman'?
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How should the word 'none' be treated in a sentence?
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Which sentence is correctly structured regarding the collective noun 'a flock of sheep'?
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What is the correct sentence structure for the phrase 'each of the students'?
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How should you treat a phrase like 'a bag of coconuts' in a sentence?
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Which of the following correctly structures the use of 'every' in a sentence?
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Study Notes
Collective Nouns
- Collective nouns may be treated as singular or plural, depending on whether the group acts as one unit or as individuals.
- Use singular verbs when the group acts as a single body. Example: "The Government said it was going to abolish income tax."
- Use plural verbs when individuals within the group are emphasized. Example: "The team manager said they were going to win."
- A singular noun, even with multiple items, is treated as singular. Example: "A bag of coconuts is sitting on the table."
Use of Neither, None, Each, and Every
- Words like neither, none, each, and every take singular verbs despite referring to multiple entities.
- "Neither the man nor the woman is able to speak" is correct; "are" is incorrect.
- "None of the men was willing to testify in court" uses "was" because "none" (meaning not one) is treated as singular.
- "Every car, bus, bicycle, and rickshaw has to be licensed" illustrates the singular use of "every."
Misplaced Modifiers
- Phrases that modify sentence parts must attach to the correct noun for clarity.
- Example of correct usage: "The plane came to a halt in front of the clan chief who was dressed in a grass skirt."
- Incorrect usage: "Dressed in a grass skirt, the plane came to a halt in front of the clan chief," which misleads the subject.
Reported Speech Changes
- When converting quotes into reported speech, certain pronouns change to maintain clarity.
- "I" changes to "he" or "she," "me" to "him" or "her," "my" to "his" or "her," and "we" to "they."
- Example: “The Prime Minister of Fiji told soldiers in Suva: 'I will do my best to protect our country.'” changes to "The Prime Minister of Fiji told soldiers in Suva that he would do his best to protect their country."
- Ensure clarity in reported speech; sometimes adding explanatory words is necessary to maintain context.
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Description
Test your understanding of collective nouns and how they function in sentences. This quiz will cover the rules regarding singular and plural verb usage with collective nouns, along with examples for better comprehension. Perfect for students looking to refine their grammar skills.
