Page 143 - New Grammar with a Smile 7

4. When a compound subject contains a singular subject and a plural subject and
they are joined by or, nor, neither…nor, or either…or, the verb agrees with the
subject that is closer to the verb. For example,

y My uncle or my cousins are coming over.
y Neither the team members nor the manager is in the office today.
5. Indefinite pronouns such as anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are
always singular and take singular verbs. For example,

y Everyone has to wear their uniform tomorrow.
y Somebody has left their wallet.
6. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, the verb has to agree
with the subject, not with the noun or the pronoun in the phrase. For example,

y Neither of the phones is working.

7. Sentences that begin with there is or there are have the subject following the
verb. Therefore, the verb must agree with the subject. For example,
y There are many paths that lead to my place.
y There is no reason to worry.

8. With distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit, a
singular verb is used. For example,

y Ten lakhs is a lot of money.
y Five kilometres is too far to walk.
9. When a singular subject is separated from the verb by phrases such as along
with, as well as, besides, not, they are not part of the subject, and we use a
singular verb. For example,

y The minister as well as his brothers is going to prison.
10. Subjects that are plural in form take a singular verb. For example,

y Physics is my favourite subject.
11. Collective nouns, when taken as a unit, such as Note
family, group, committee or class take a singular
verb. For example, A plural verb is used when
the subject refers to the
y The crew is preparing for landing. individuals in the group.
12. Plural indefinite pronouns such as few, most, both, For example,
several, some take a plural verb or a singular verb • The jury were divided in
depending on the subject. their opinion.
For example,

y Most of the pies were eaten.
y Most of the cake was eaten.

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