BASIC
RULE :
The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.
NOTE : The trick is in knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural verb.
Hint : Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s as nouns do. In order to determine which verb is singular and which one is plural, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which verb you would use with they.
Example :
talks, talk
Which one is the singular form?
Which word would you use with he?
We say, "He talks." Therefore, talks is singular.
We say, "They talk." Therefore, talk is plural.
The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.
NOTE : The trick is in knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural verb.
Hint : Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s as nouns do. In order to determine which verb is singular and which one is plural, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which verb you would use with they.
Example :
talks, talk
Which one is the singular form?
Which word would you use with he?
We say, "He talks." Therefore, talks is singular.
We say, "They talk." Therefore, talk is plural.
·
Rule
1 :
Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.
Example :
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.
Example :
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
·
Rule
2 :
Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb as in Rule 1.
Example :
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb as in Rule 1.
Example :
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
·
Rule
3 :
When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it second and follow it with the singular verb am.
Example :
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor, put it second and follow it with the singular verb am.
Example :
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
·
Rule
4 :
When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Example :
The serving bowl or the plates go on that shelf.
When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Example :
The serving bowl or the plates go on that shelf.
·
Rule
5 :
When a singular and plural subject are connected by either/or or neither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Example :
Neither Jenny nor the others are available.
When a singular and plural subject are connected by either/or or neither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Example :
Neither Jenny nor the others are available.
·
Rule
6 :
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.
Example :
A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.
Example :
A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
·
Rule
7 :
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.
Example :
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.
Example :
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
·
Rule
8 :
The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.
Example :
Each of the girls sings well.
Every one of the cakes is gone.
The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.
Example :
Each of the girls sings well.
Every one of the cakes is gone.
·
Rule
9 :
With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.
Example :
One-third of the city is unemployed.
One-third of the people are unemployed.
With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.
Example :
One-third of the city is unemployed.
One-third of the people are unemployed.
·
Rule
10 :
The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number is followed by a plural verb.
Example :
The number of people we need to hire is thirteen.
A number of people have written in about this subject.
The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number is followed by a plural verb.
Example :
The number of people we need to hire is thirteen.
A number of people have written in about this subject.
·
Rule
11 :
When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.
Example :
Neither of them is available to speak right now.
When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.
Example :
Neither of them is available to speak right now.
·
Rule
12 :
The words here and there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate place. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.
Example :
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
The words here and there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate place. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.
Example :
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
·
Rule
13 :
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
Example :
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
Example :
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
·
Rule
14 :
Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in the middle of the sentence. The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to the noun directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
Example :
He is one of the men who does/do the work.
The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.
Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in the middle of the sentence. The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to the noun directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
Example :
He is one of the men who does/do the work.
The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.
·
Rule
15 :
Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence.
Example :
The staff is in a meeting.
Staff is acting as a unit here.
Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence.
Example :
The staff is in a meeting.
Staff is acting as a unit here.
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