This document provides information on several English grammar topics: - Compound subjects which are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction and require a plural verb. - Singular and plural subjects and their verb agreement. - The use of reflexive pronouns which refer back to the subject of the sentence or are used for emphasis. - A list of reflexive pronouns and examples of their use as objects of prepositions. - Brief explanations of relative pronouns.

1. Compound subjects: two or more subjects joined by a conjunction.
Example: A boy and a girl
Singular: one noun, verb stem with an “s”
Example: He sits
Plural: more than one noun, verb stem without an “s”
Example: They sit
Briefly review:
Singular subjects need singular verbs.
Example: My brother is a doctor.
Plural subjects need plural verbs.
Example: My sisters are very talkative.
When the word “and” is used, it is combining two subjects, so a plural verb is
used.
The tiger and lion was/were the main attraction at the zoo.
When using “or” or “nor,” make the verb agree with the part closest to the verb
because "or" and "nor" indicate a choice and not addition. The verb could be singular
or plural depending on the part closest to the conjunction. Look at the last subject. You
can cover up the first part of the sentence to find the agreement.
A check or cash is/are accepted at the restaurant.
Have the students identify the compound subjects by boxing it. (cash or check)
Circle the correct word (is)
Neither the teacher nor students was/were sad about summer vacation.
Reflexive pronouns
1. Reflexive pronouns are used when the object is the same as the subject. For
example, in the sentence "he hurt himself", he and himself refer to the same
person.
He blames himself for what happened.
Careful! You might cut yourself!
We will enjoy ourselves tomorrow.
2. Reflexive pronouns are also used for emphasis. In this case, they are referred to
as intensive pronouns. For example, in the sentence "I spoke to the president
himself", the speaker emphasizes that he spoke to the president personally NOT to
somebody else.
school homework
"I always do my homework myself. Nobody helps me."

2. teacher and student
"He never does his homework himself. The teacher always helps him."
In the above examples, the reflexive/intensive pronouns can be removed without
changing the meaning.
List of reflexive pronouns
Subject Pron. Reflexive Pronouns
I myself
you yourself
he himself
she herself
it itself
we ourselves
you yourselves
they themselves
3. Reflexive pronouns may be used as the object of a preposition:
He made a cup of coffee for himself.
He was talking to himself.
She did the job by herself.
Every morning...
I look at myself in the mirror.
Relative pronouns: see p120-121 in the book and p44 in the pdf