21 Subject/verb agreement Composite subjects ExamplesThat Anne or Tony (load, load) the dishwasher. Neither the coach nor the manager are satisfied with the team`s performance. Either the boys or their sisters (take, take) the garbage. Neither dogs nor cats (come, come) when we call them. 22 Subject/verb correspondence Rule #8Collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on their meaning in the set Examples: Class (a, a) completes its projects. The class (a, a) chooses its officers. Here is a short list of 10 suggestions for subject-verb pairing. False: Twenty-five periods are a lot to digest. That`s right: twenty-five rules are listed on the notification. The subject-verb correspondence sounds simple, doesn`t it? A singular subject takes the singular verb: correspondence rule 20 subject/verb #7Subjects linked by OR or NOR. the verb must correspond to the subject closest to it. Neither the children nor their mother (were, were) ready for the journey. Neither the mother nor her children (were, were) ready for the journey.
Another trap for writers is the abandonment of a strict grammatical agreement in favor of a “fictitious agreement”, that is, the verb coincides with the term or idea that the subject is trying to convey, whether singular or plural: and then there is the fact that English simply refuses to follow its own rules. If English can contradict itself, it will. 18 Subject/verb correspondence rule #6Two subjects that pass through ET take a plural subject examples: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg (do, make) films. Rhythm and imagery (help, help) Poets express their feelings. 19 Rule of subject/verb agreement #6Exception. Composite subjects that name only one person, thing, or place occupy a singular verb. Examples: My correspondent and my best friend (is, are) my cousin. Macaroni and cheese (is, are) my favorite dish.
23 Subject/verb agreement rule #9An expression of an amount may be in the singular or plural, depending on how it is used in a sentence. Three-quarters of the pizza (east, are) gone. Of these songs, three-quarters (are, are) new. A subject that consists of nouns connected by a plural subject and assuming a plural subject, unless the intended meaning of that subject is singular. 25 Subject/verb correspondence rule #10Some nouns that are plural in the form that the singular verbs “memories” (is, are) my favorite poem. Rickets (is, is) a serious health problem in some countries. The news of the nominee (was, was) a surprise. Agreement and indefinite duration.
Pronouns must correspond to the precursor in number, case and gender That is, if there is a person, use the singular. “None” takes a singular verb if what it refers to is singular, and a plural verb if its reference point is plural. 4 Subject/verb correspondence Rule #3Plural subjects need plural verbs. Examples: You wash the dishes. Several girls from my neighborhood play in the band. You or I run every day. Potatoes, pasta or rice go well with grilled chicken. (last noun: rice) 26 Subject/verb correspondence rule #11Subjects preceded by ALL or SEVERAL A`s take singular verbs. Every owner and trader (a, a) joins the cleaning.
Many litter beetles (were, were) surprised by the high fines. 5 The subject/verb match rule #4Don not determine the number of a subject by a word in a sentence or clause after the subject. Examples: Apartments across the street (done, do) have a balcony. Eli, one of my friends, (was, was) too late. The planes that moved to the door (were) bought by a movie company. With a bachelor`s and master`s degree in English, Erin has been an editorial professional for 15 years and works on a variety of media, especially online. Their niche is business/marketing and online. In addition, she has experience teaching publishing for non-editors and coaching writers. A quarter of the books have disappeared. (“Books” is a plural noun) A quarter of the sand is white. (“Sand” is a noun in the singular) 6 subject/verb correspondence rule#5Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs. 7 Subject/verb correspondence Indefinite singular pronounsEvery person Person Person Person Both Person Nothing Nothing All The phrase “more than one” takes on a singular verb.
Still, The Copyeditor`s Handbook lists no less than 25 cases that aren`t as clear, and Garner`s Modern American Usage devotes nearly five columns to the topic. Even the relatively small Grammar Smart devotes five pages to the topic (including the quiz). A 12-course set is all you need for dinner. Collective nouns (team, couple, collaborators, etc.) assume a singular verb. None of the books are reproducible without permission. None of the peas are left on Sean`s plate. (“Peas” is the speaker and is in the plural) For money, if the amount is specific, use a singular verb; If the amount is vague, use a plural verb. 16 Subject/verb agreement Singular-plural pronounsHow do you remember???? All active men need more sport.
ONE THING THAT CONFUSES WRITERS IS A LONG AND COMPLICATED SUBJECT. The writer gets lost in it and forgets which noun is actually the head of the subject`s sentence and instead lets the verb correspond to the nearest noun: young people climb the walls like caged animals. More than one box is in the hallway. More than one car participated in the race. 13 Subject/verb match Indefinite plural pronounsExamples (were, were) the two games postponed? Only a few I know (have, have) qualified. Some of the runners train (is, are). . 2 Subject/verb match rule#1Plural nouns usually end in –s. Singular verbs usually end in –s. .
Connective, sentences as combined with, coupled with, accompanied, added, with, with and and, do not change the topic number. These sentences are usually delimited by commas. If a subject consists of nouns that are connected by or by, the verb corresponds to the last noun. The football team trains day and night for the Super Bowl.The Boston School Committee disagrees on what should be removed from the school`s budget. 12 Subject/verb agreement Indefinite plural pronounsHow do I remember???? The two sisters found mom.. .