Verbal and Nominal Agreement

Verbal and nominal agreement it is the part of the grammar that studies the conformity established between each component of the clause.

While verbal agreement deals with the relationship between subject and verb, nominal agreement deals with the relationship between word classes:

verbal agreement = subject and verb
nominal agreement = word classes

Example: We will study complicated rules and examples together.

In the prayer above, we have these two types of agreement:

When the subject (we) agrees with the verb (we will study), we are faced with a case of verbal agreement.

On the other hand, when the nouns (rules and examples) agree with the adjective (complicated), we are faced with a case of nominal agreement.

Know the main rules in each case:

Verbal agreement

1. Subject compound before the verb

When the subject is composed and comes before the verb, this verb must always be plural.

Example:

Mary and Joseph talked until dawn.

2. Subject composed after the verb

When the compound subject comes after the verb, the verb can either stay in the plural or it can agree with the closest subject.

Examples:

Speeches principal and teachers.
spoke director and teachers.

3. Subject formed by different grammatical people

When the subject is composed but the grammatical persons are different, the verb must also be plural. However, he will agree with the person who, grammatically, has priority.

This means that the 1st person (me, us) has priority over the 2nd (you, you) and the 2nd person has priority over the 3rd (he, them).

Examples:

we, you and they will the party.
You and he speak another language?

See too:

Verbal agreement

Verbal Agreement Exercises

Nominal Agreement

1. Adjectives and a noun

When there is more than one adjective for a noun, the adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun.

Example:

loved salty and fatty food.

2. Nouns and an adjective

In the opposite case, that is, when there is more than one noun and only one adjective, there are two ways to agree:

2.1. When the adjective comes before the nouns, the adjective must agree with the closest noun.

Example:

Beautiful daughter and baby.

2.2. When the adjective comes after the nouns, the adjective must agree with the closest noun or with all nouns.

Examples:

pronunciation and perfect vocabulary.
vocabulary and perfect pronunciation.
Perfect pronunciation and vocabulary.
Perfect vocabulary and pronunciation.

See too:

nominal agreement

Nominal Agreement Exercises

Template Exercises

1. (Mackenzie) There is an unacceptable agreement according to grammar:

I. Brazilians are all eternal dreamers.
II. Thank you very much! - Said the girls.
III. Mr. Deputy, V. Your Honor She is wrong.
IV. The poor lady was a little confused.
V. Students in this course are very studious.

a) in I and II
b) only in IV
c) only in III
d) in II, III and IV
e) only in II

Alternative c: only in III.

2. (IBGE) Indicate the correct option, with regard to verbal agreement, according to the cultured norm:

a) There were many candidates waiting for the exam.
b) It rained hailstones in the Rio Grande do Sul mountain range.
c) It has been many years since the IBGE team has been here.
d) It hit three o'clock when the interviewer arrived.
e) I was the one who opened the door for the census agent.

Alternative c: It has been many years since the IBGE team has been here.

3. (Mackenzie) Indicate the alternative where there is an error:
a) The facts speak for themselves.
b) The house was a little unkempt.
c) Books are getting more and more expensive.
d) His asides were always as pertinent as possible.
e) It was me he was referring to, said the girl.

Alternative d: Your asides were always as pertinent as possible.

Verbal and nominal agreement

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