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Caution: Be careful not to confuse the subject with its compliment. A compliment is a word that renames or describes the subject. Example: Her biggest fear is spiders. Here, fear is the subject, so the verb needs to be singular. The word spiders is the compliment.
Example: The girl [singular subject] reads [singular verb] mystery stories.
Dogs and cats [plural subject] love [plural verb] to have their ears scratched.
To use verb correctly according to subject, noun and pronoun To use correct verbs in the sentence according to number and person When subjects and verbs do not match in number, it confuses the listeners and the readers
Rule:
If the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must be plural.
Example: Hafij [singular subject] is [singular verb] asleep. Hafij and his friends [plural subject] are [plural verb] asleep
c. The players in the field are taking rest. Check the answers: a. correct b. incorrect
c. correct
Exceptions:
i.
When subjects connected by and describe a single person or thing, verb that follows them is also singular.
But if the subjects connected by and describe different persons, verb becomes plural.
Example: The Headmaster and the Secretary are present. The Headmaster and the Secretary is present (Incorrect).
Exceptions:
ii. Expressions indicating quantity or amount to be considered as a unit require a singular verb. Examples:
b. Bread and butter _____ my favourite breakfast. i) are ii) is iii) none
c. The president and founder of the college _____ named Ahsan Ullah. i) were ii) was iii) none d. Two hundred dollars _____ a lot of money. i) is ii) are iii) none
c. ii) was
d. i) is
Example:
The jury were unanimous in their opinion. Some singular-in-form nouns, such as remainder, rest, and number, have a plural meaning in certain contexts; their number depends on their modifiers: Example:
This system also applies to certain indefinite pronouns, such as some, all, and enough:
Example: Some of the books were missing. All of the cookies were eaten. But singular verb is used when the modifier is singular. Example: The rest of the map was found.
Example Continues
All of the cake was eaten. The remainder of this chapter is especially important.
c. correct
d. incorrect
Rule
Two or more singular objects connected by or or nor require a singular verb. Example: Our happiness or sorrow is largely due to our own actions. Neither praise nor blame seems to affect him.
Rule
But when one of the subjects joined by or or nor is
Rule
When the subjects joined by or or nor are of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer. Example: Either he or I am mistaken. Either you or he is mistaken.
c. is
d. know
Rule
Either, neither, each, everyone, many a, must be followed by a singular verb. Example: Neither of the two men was very strong.
Everyone
Anyone
Someone
No one
Either
Everything
Anything
Something
Nothing
Neither
Examples:
Everybody knows the answer. Somebody was in the room. Nobody speaks Arabic here.
Rule
Two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by and, require a singular verb. Examples: Every man and woman has the right to vote. Each boy and each girl was given a chocolate.
c. incorrect
d. correct
Rule
Some nouns which are plural in form, but singular in meaning take a singular verb. Example: The news is true. The wages of sin is death.
Abstract nouns
News Politics Ethics
Diseases
Measles Mumps
Examples:
But some nouns which are plural in form always take plural verb. Example: The scissors are blunt.
Some nouns which are always plural:
Spectacles Scissors Thanks Assets Alms Glasses Jaws Pants Ashes Aborigines Amends Billiards Bowels Trousers Shorts
Rule
Some nouns which are singular in form, take a plural verb. Example: Cattle are grazing in the field. Some other singular nouns used as plural:
Aristocracy Nobility Cattle Poultry People Folk Gentry Vermin
a. are
b. is
c. are
Rule
If any noun or pronoun is connected by with, together with, as well as, along with, in addition to, accompanied by, the verb follows the first subject. Example: Lily as well as her sisters has done well in the examination. Mr. Azad accompanied by his children has attended the party.
c. i) allows
d. i) has
Rule
When the plural noun is a proper name for some single object/ unit, it must be followed by a singular verb.
Example:
The Arabian Nights is still a great favourite. The United States has a big navy.
Rule
When the subject of a sentence is Infinitive or Gerund or Verbal Noun or Clause or Phrase, the verb must be singular.
Example:
To walk is a good exercise. Walking is a good exercise.
c. The Arabian Nights delights many readers. Check the answers: a. incorrect
b. incorrect
c. correct