Page 113 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n s u b j e c t a n d v e r b ( 2 )
subject
(2)
verb
and
between
Agreement

knows
(or
any of them
I don't think
With any of, each of, either of, neither of, or • I don't think any of them knows (or
With any of, each of, either of, neither of, or
where the money is hidden.
know)
none of and a plural noun we can use know) where the money is hidden.
none of and a plural noun we can use a a
(or
Neither of the French athletes
has
singular or plural verb. However, we prefer a
singular or plural verb. However, we prefer a • Neither of the French athletes has (or
in careful written English.
have) won this year.
singular verb
singular verb in careful written English. have) won this year.

of,
been turned
A
have
number of refugees
of,
a number of,
a lot
With a/the majority
With a/the majority of, a number of, a lot of, • A number of refugees have been turned
back at the border.
plenty of, all (of), or some (of) and a plural
plenty of, all (of), or some (of) and a plural back at the border.
The number of books in the library has
But if we say the
noun we use a plural verb.
noun we use a plural verb. But if we say the • The number of books in the library has
five million.
number of, we use a singular verb. risen to over five million.
number of, we use a singular verb.
risen to over

in the
of,
a lot
any of, none of, the majority
All the furniture
was destroyed
With any of, none of, the majority of, a lot • All the furniture was destroyed in the
With
plenty
an
all
(of), some
(of) and
of,
fire.
of, plenty of, all (of), some (of) and an fire.
of,
uncountable noun we use a singular verb.
uncountable noun we use a singular verb.

With each and every and a singular noun we • Every room has its own bathroom. but
Every room has its own bathroom,
but
With each and every and a singular noun we
a picture.
The boys have each drawn
use a singular verb. (For each of, see above.)
use a singular verb. (For each of, see above.) • The boys have each drawn a picture.
With everyone, everybody, everything (and • should be given the job. that Judith

everyone
thinks
With everyone, everybody, everything (and
Practically
Practically everyone thinks that Judith
some- and
similar words beginning any-, some- and
should be given the job.
similar words beginning any-,
no-) we use a singular verb.
no-) we use a singular verb.

single thing and have a singular verb. These
D Some phrases with a plural form are thought of as a a single thing and have a singular verb. These
Some phrases with a plural form are thought of as
include phrases referring to measurements, amounts and quantities:
include phrases referring to measurements, amounts and quantities:
About three metres separates the runners in first and second places.
O @ • ° About three metres separates the runners in first and second places.
The fifty pounds he gave me was soon spent.
• « • ¢ The fifty pounds he gave me was soon spent.
subject has two or more items joined by and, we usually use a plural verb:
When a
When a subject has two or more items joined by and, we usually use a plural verb:
Jean and David are moving back to Australia.
• ¢ Jean and David are moving back to Australia.
by singular verbs if we think of them as
by and can also be followed
However, phrases connected by and can also be followed by singular verbs if we think of them as
However, phrases connected
single item:
making up a
making up a single item:
(or Meat pie and peas are...)
Meat pie
and peas
is Tom's favourite at the moment,
• * Meat pie and peas is Tom's favourite at the moment. (or Meat pie and peas are...)
Other phrases like this include fish and chips, and research and development (or R and D).
Other phrases like this include fish and chips, and research and development (or R and D).
When a subject is made up of two or more items joined by (either) ...or... or (neither) ...nor... we
When a subject is made up of two or more items joined by (either) ...or... or (neither) ...nor... we
use a singular verb if the last item is singular (although a plural verb is sometimes used in informal
use a singular verb if the last item is singular (although a plural verb is sometimes used in informal
English), and a plural verb if it is plural:
English), and a plural verb if it is plural:
Either the station or the cinema is a good place to meet, (or ...are... in informal English)
• ¢ Either the station or the cinema is a good place to meet. (or ...are... in informal English)
representatives are to attend the meeting.
Neither the President nor his
• ¢ Neither the President nor his representatives are to attend the meeting.
If the last item is singular and the previous item plural, we can use a singular or plural verb:
If the last item is singular and the previous item plural, we can use a singular or plural verb:
Either the teachers or the principal is (or are) to blame for the accident.
• ¢ Either the teachers or the principal is (or are) to blame for the accident. ‘
%) we use a singular verb:
After per cent (also percent
After per cent (also percent or or %) we use a singular verb:
An inflation rate of only 2 per cent makes a big difference to exports.
• ¢ An inflation rate of only 2 per cent makes a big difference to exports.
10 per cent of the forest is destroyed each year.
Around
• « Around 10 per cent of the forest is destroyed each year.
However, in phrases where we can use of + plural noun we use a plural verb:
However, in phrases where we can use of + plural noun we use a plural verb:
• I • ¢ I would say that about 50 per cent of the houses need major repairs.
I would say that about 50 per cent ofthe houses need major repairs.
admit to smoking.
Of those interviewed, only 20 per cent (= of people interviewed)
@ + Of those interviewed, only 20 per cent (= of people interviewed) admit to smoking.
But where we use a singular noun that can be thought of either as a whole unit or a collection
But where we use a singular noun that can be thought of either as a whole unit or a collection of of
use a singular or plural verb (see also Unit 51B):
individuals, we can use a singular or plural verb (see also Unit 51B):
individuals, we can
80 per cent of the electorate is expected to vote, (or ...are expected...)
Some
• « Some 80 per cent ofthe electorate is expected to vote. (or ...are expected...)
i
i
f
r t i and quaners =
t
t (lean Lies
Ageemen (1) = Deermners a0] Galan
Agreement