Page 119 - New Grammar with a Smile 6

3. However, if we use the (definite article) before both singular subjects joined by
and, the verb will be plural as it refers to two separate people or things.
For example,
• The player and the coach are late for the opening ceremony.
• The snooker and the chess rooms have been painted.

4. When a phrase or a clause comes between the subject and the verb, identify the
subject carefully. For example,
• The performance of the musicians is not satisfactory.
• The lady who is wearing a green dress is a famous novelist.

5. The words there and here are never the subject of a sentence. For example,
• There are ten musicians in the school band.
• There is no teacher in the staffroom.
• Here is the nine o’clock news.

A. Fill in the blanks with suitable verbs.

1. Rajni and Vimla sisters.

2. Toast and butter our favourite breakfast.

3. ‘Slow and steady wins the race’. This a famous saying.

4. Hema a dancer and actress.

5. The Principal and the Vice Principal called for a meeting.

6. Radha and Payal coming to my house.

7. Ranveer and Pradeep talented actors.

8. The director and the producer left the studio.

9. The two parties agreed to discuss the matter.

10. Bees, butterflies and moths around in our garden.

Here are some more rules.

6. The pronouns neither and either are singular and require singular verbs.
For example,
• Either of the girls is suitable for the job.
• Neither of the two roads leads to my aunt’s house.
7. Two singular subjects connected by or, either…or, or neither…nor require a
singular verb. For example,
• Either my uncle or my aunt is arriving today.
• Neither the Principal nor the Headmistress is available.

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