Grammar in Use 79, 81

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• Leerjaar 3

Grammar in Use 79, 81

My trousers ___ dirty.

1. is
2. are

This pair of trousers ___ dirty.

1. is
2. are

My new glasses ___ black.

1. was
2. werd

This pair of scissors ___ mine.

1. is
2. are

Rule

Something with two parts is usually a plural:

scissors, binoculars

If you use a pair of ___, then it is usually singular.

Gymnastics ___ a popular sport.

1. is
2. are

I am not so fond of maths. ______ a terrible subject.

1. it is
2. they are

Rule

Some words end in -ics, but are singular.

Athletics is a great sport.

Politics is quite difficult to understand.

The government ___ made a terrible mistake.

1. has
2. have

The audience _____ waited for a long time.

1. has
2. have

Germany ___ playing ___ home games in Munich.

1. is, its
2. are, their
3. is, their
4. are, its

Shell ____ increased ___ prices.

1. has, its
2. has, their
3. have, their
4. have, its

Rule

Some singular nouns are used with a plural verb.

These nouns are groups of people: government, committee, company, family, etc.

A sports team / company + plural verb

Is there only one person in the picture? No, there are two ___ present.

1. people
2. persons
3. peoples
4. person

Two million pounds ___ a lot of money.

1. is
2. are

Three miles ___ not far,
when you are on your bike.

1. is
2. are

Rule

The plural of person is people.

A sum of money, a period of time, a distance is one thing, so you use the singular.

Three years is a long time.

What is ______________?

1. your dog's name
2. the name of your dog

What are ____________?

1. your sister's name
2. the names of your sister
3. the names of your sisters
4. your sisters' names

What is _______________?

1. the water's temperature
2. the temperature of the water

Did you go to __________?

1. the wedding of Susan and James
2. Susan's and James's wedding
3. Susan and James's wedding

What is ____________?

1. the government's decision
2. the decision of the government

During Covid the _____ were empty.

1. streets of the city
2. city's streets

It is nearby. It is a _________

1. ten minute's walk
2. ten minutes' walk
3. walk of ten minutes

I want to see __________

1. the match of tomorrow
2. tomorrow's match

Rule

's is used for people and animals: Tom's house, my sisters' room, the men's room

of is used for things: the name of the street