71Rule #10: Noun Agreement ....................................................................
How to Find: Look for underlined nouns.
How to Fix: Make sure the noun agrees with however many people or things it refers to.
Let’s look at an example:
Roger and Veronica bought a new toothbrush for their vacation to Hawaii.
Step 1: Spot the noun (toothbrush). Notice that it is singular.
Step 2: Ask: Who is buying the toothbrush? Both Roger and Veronica. Are they sharing the same toothbrush?
I hope not.
Step 3: Change a toothbrush to toothbrushes.
Revised sentence: Roger and Veronica bought new toothbrushes for their vacation to Hawaii.
Let’s do one more:
People who want to be a doctor should study hard in school and get good grades.
Step 1: Spot the noun (doctor).
Step 2: Ask: To whom does the “doctor” apply? People. Not just one person, but all the people who want to
become doctors.
Step 3: Change a doctor to doctors.
Revised sentence: People who want to be doctors should study hard in school and get good grades.
Rule #11: Adjective/Adverb ...................................................................
How to Find: Look for underlined adjectives and underlined adverbs.
How to Fix: Change the adjective to an adverb or vice versa.
We’ve already covered the difference between adjectives and adverbs in the Parts of Speech section of this
book. For a refresher, remember adjectives modify nouns, and adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and
other adverbs.
Many adverbs end in “ly.”
But remember, there are some adverbs that do not end in “ly” (earlier, faster, late, less...) and there are
some adjectives that do (lovely, lonely, motherly, friendly...).