Fill in Each Blank with a Verb in Agreement with Its Subject

Matching subjects and verbs seems simple. But confusion can arise when collective names are used as subjects. We use a singular verb after one or the other, neither, everyone, and many a. If the plural noun refers to a certain set or set as a whole, the verb is usually singular. This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I`m one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this strange sentence: If you`re able to find the right subject and verb, you can correct subject-verb match errors. Section 3. The verb in a sentence or, either/or, or neither/yet is in agreement with the noun or pronoun closest to it. Anyone who uses a plural verb with a collective noun should be careful to be accurate – and also consistent. It should not be taken lightly.

The following is the kind of erroneous sentence you often see and hear these days: Rule 1. A topic comes before a sentence that begins with von. This is a key rule for understanding topics. The word of is the culprit of many, perhaps most, subject-verb errors. Article 7[edit] In sentences that begin with here or there, the real subject follows the verb. The cast celebrates the success of the play with a party after the performance. Examples: The politician is expected with the journalists shortly. Excitement as well as nervousness are the cause of their tremors. Fill in the gaps with a verb that matches the subject.

If two nouns are related to both and, the verb corresponds to the first noun. In the first example, a statement of wish, not a fact, is expressed; therefore, what we usually consider a plural verb is used with the singular subject I. In many cases, it may seem more natural to make the subject plural in form by adding a word as members: If two nouns singular by neither. however, the verb is singular. News is an innumerable noun in English and as such it is followed by a singular verb. Article 4. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects if they are through and connected. Rule 8. Use a singular verb with distances, periods, sums of money, etc. if you are considered a unit. A plural collective noun takes a plural verb: families appreciate this restaurant. The word there is, a contraction from there, leads to bad habits in informal sentences like There are many people here today because it is easier to say “there is” than “there is”.

Be careful never to use a plural theme. Rule 2. Two singular subjects related by or, either/or, require a singular verb. If all members of a collective noun perform an action as a unit (and usually do), use a singular verb. Section 5. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as with, as well as no, etc. These words and phrases are not part of the topic. Ignore them and use a singular verb if the subject is singular.

A present verb (as well as a simple past tense of the verb) must correspond to its subject in numbers. That is, the verb must be singular if its subject is singular, and plural if its subject is plural. In recent years, the SAT testing service has not considered anyone to be strictly singular. According to Merriam-Webster`s Dictionary of English Usage: “Clearly, none since Old English has been both singular and plural and still is. The idea that it is only singular is a myth of unknown origin that seems to have emerged in the 19th century. If this sounds singular in context, use a singular verb; If it appears as a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond any serious criticism. If no one should clearly mean “not one,” a singular verb follows. When members of a collective noun perform an action as individuals, use a plural verb. In this case, all or some members of the group do something independently of the other members; the group does not act together as a unit. Shouldn`t Joe be followed by the what and not by the merchandise, since Joe is singular? But Joe isn`t really there, so let`s say who wasn`t.

The sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood used to express hypothetical, useless, imaginary, or factually contradictory things. The subjunctive connects singular subjects to what we generally consider plural verbs. Example: The list of items is/is on the desktop. If you know that the list is the subject, then choose is for the verb. Rule of thumb. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), while a plural subject takes a plural verb. If the plural noun is the name of a book, magazine, or movie, a verb in the singular follows. Examples: My aunt or uncle arrives by train today. Neither Juan nor Carmen are available. Kiana or Casey help today with stage decorations.

1. He asked me if one of the applicants was suitable. 2. Each of these minerals is found in India. 3. Many people died at sea. 4. Either you or he is wrong. 5. The prisoners were not provided with food or water. 6.

Physics is a branch of science. 7. The news is too good to be true. 8. The life of Plutarch is an interesting story. 9. The Committee presented its report. 10.

Six miles is a long distance. 11. Justice and mercy allow this. 12. The house with its contents was insured. But there are cases where a singular collective noun actually expresses a plural idea and requires a plural verb. The following guidelines will help you decide whether a singular collective noun takes a singular or plural verb. Article 9[edit] Certain collective nouns, such as family, couple, personal, public, etc., may take a singular or plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence. Examples: I wish it was Friday. She asked him to raise his hand.

. Article 10[edit] The word that was replaced was in sentences that express a desire or contradict the facts: Examples: The staff is in a meeting. The staff acts as a unit. The couple does not agree on the discipline of their child. The couple refers to two people acting as individuals. . Consistent: Employees decide how they want to vote. Example: A car and a bicycle are my means of transport.

Exceptions: Breaking and entering is against the law. The bed and breakfast was lovely. The members of the orchestra tune their instruments. Examples: Much of the cake has disappeared. Many cakes have disappeared. A third of the city is unemployed. One third of the population is unemployed. All the cake is gone. All the cakes are gone. Part of the cake is missing. Some of the cakes are missing. .

Employees decide how they want to vote. Cautious speakers and authors would avoid the singular and plural attributing it to staff in the same sentence. Things: pile, collection, fleet, flotilla, pack, set, physical development Normally it would seem terrible to us. However, in the second example, when a request is expressed, the subjunctive setting is correct. Writers, speakers, readers, and hasty listeners might overlook the all-too-common mistake in the following sentence: Note: Subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English, but should still be used in formal oral and written expression. People: Council, Choir, Class, Committee, Family, Group, Jury, Jury, Staff In these sentences, break and enter and bed & breakfast are composed of names. .