Page 66 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

• Everyone loves their country (‘their’ is possible if the gender is not definite)
• Many a teacher loves their profession dearly. (‘their’ is possible if the gender is
not definite)

5. If the two singular nouns joined by and have the word every or each before
them, the verb used here should be singular. For example,
• Every man and every woman present there was happy.

6. A few nouns, though singular in meaning, look plural. Such nouns take
a singular verb. For example,

• Physics is an interesting subject.
• The news has shocked us.
• The innings has been tough for us.

7. The noun means can be used either as a singular or a plural noun. For example,
• Is there any means to come out of the problem?

• The means to sort out the problem are limited.

8. Nouns which seem to be singular but are plural in meaning, take a plural verb.
For example,
• The police have been called in.
• Five dozen cost twenty rupees.
• The public are crazy about this actor.

9. None can take either a singular or a plural verb. For example,

• None of them has/have an aptitude for music.
• I called five boys. None has turned up.

10. A collective noun takes a plural verb when the emphasis is on its individual
members. But when a collective noun is taken as a body collectively, it takes a
singular verb. For example,
• The class is disciplined.
• The class have shown their answers to the teacher.

• The committee have left their seats and walked out.
• The committee has announced its decision.

A. Correct the following sentences.

1. The conduct of students are something that matters.
2. It was the fault of some of the boys which have created this problem.

3. The side effects of this medicine is serious.

4. Time and tide waits for none.

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