Page 120 - New Grammar with a Smile 6
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8. In a sentence with conjunctions such as or, either…or, or neither…nor, the
verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it. For example,
• Neither my friends nor my sister is willing to accompany me.
• Neither my sister nor my friends are willing to accompany me.
9. If a subject is plural in form but represents a singular noun, the verb is singular.
For example,
• The Invincibles is a very entertaining film.
• Wuthering Heights is an English novel by Emily Brontë.
• ‘After Twenty Years’ is an interesting short story by O Henry.
10. When the subject of the sentence is plural and it represents a single unit of
distance, time, weight or money, the verb is singular. For example,
• Ten kilos is heavy for a piece of cabin baggage.
• Ten minutes is the reading time you will get before the examination.
11. A collective noun takes a singular verb if the idea expressed is singular; it takes a
plural verb if the idea expressed by the collective noun is plural. For example,
• The board of directors has selected Mr Cyrus Irani as the chairman.
• The government has decided to pass the Right to Food Act.
• The people were confused about whether it was a public holiday or not.
12. When expressions like as well as, together with, with, in addition to, along
with and besides, are used to join two singular subjects, the verb that is used
is singular. However, if one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb
agrees with the first subject. For example,
• Ronaldo, as well as Messi, is a brilliant player.
• Rahul, besides Priya and Gauri, is invited to the party.
• The bag, with all its contents, was washed away in the sea.
• The general manager, together with her sales team, was given an award.
13. The pronouns each, either, neither, everyone, one of the, take a singular verb.
For example,
• Each of these players plays well.
• Either of the two teachers is good for teaching art.
• Neither of the two diagrams is correct.
• Everyone knows the new neighbours now.
• One of the new students has done this project.
14. The expressions much and a little take a singular verb. For example,
• Much has already been completed, only a little more is left.
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