singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism" Rule 10 The expression is followed by a singular verb while the expression is the number a number followed by a plural verb. Examples: The number of people we need to hire is thirteen. A number of people have written in about this subject. Rule 11 When and are subjects, they always take singular verbs. either neither Examples: Neither of them is available to speak right now. Either of us is capable of doing the job. Rule 12 The words and have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate here there place. In sentences beginning with or the subject follows the verb. here there, Examples: 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. Examples: Ten dollars is a high price to pay. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense. Rule 14 Sometimes the pronoun or is the subject of a verb in the middle of the sentence. who, that, which The pronouns and become singular or plural according to the noun directly in who, that, which front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb. Examples: Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports. The word in front of is which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb who scientist, writes. He is one of the men who does/do the work. The word in front of is which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb who men, do. Rule 15 Collective nouns such as and may be either singular or plural depending on their use in team staff the sentence. Examples: The staff is in a meeting. is acting as a unit here. Staff The staff are in disagreement about the findings. are acting as separate individuals in this example. The staff
singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism" Rule 10 The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the expression a number is followed by a plural verb. Examples: 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. Examples: Neither of them is available to speak right now. Either of us is capable of doing the job. 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. Examples: 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. Examples: Ten dollars is a high price to pay. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense. 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. Examples: Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports. The word in front of who is scientist, which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb writes. 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. Examples: The staff is in a meeting. Staff is acting as a unit here. The staff are in disagreement about the findings. The staff are acting as separate individuals in this example.
subject_verb_agreement_rules.docx