11 SUBJECT - VERB AGREEMENT Flashcards
In most expressions of quantity, the verb is determined by the noun (or pronoun)
that follows OF
Some of the books
are good.
A lot of my friends
are here.
Two-thirds of the pennies
are mine.
A lot of the equipment
is new.
Two-thirds of the money
is mine.
EXCEPTIONS:
One of, each of, and every one of
take singular verbs.
every one of; one of; each of
+ plural noun = singular verb
The number is the subject.
The number of students In the class is fifteen
A number of is an expression of quantity meaning “a lot of.” It is followed by a plural noun and a plural verb.
A number of students were late for class.
Each (student, students) in the class is required to take the final examination.
student
Each of the (student, students) in the class is required to take the final examination.
students
There is at least one window in every (room, rooms) in our apartment.
room
Every one of the (room, rooms) in our apartment has at least one window.
rooms
My bedroom has only one, very small (window, windows)
window
One of the smallest (window, windows) in our apartment is in my bedroom
windows
When John bought some supplies at the hardware store, he thought the total amount on the bill was incorrect, so he checked each (item, items) on his bill very carefully.
item
Each of the (item, items) on the bill was correct.
items
Sometimes a proper noun that ends in -s is singular.
if the noun is changed to a pronoun, the singular pronoun it is used (not the plural pronoun they) because the noun is singular.
In (a): The United States = it (not they).
The United States
is big
The Philippines
consists of more than 7,000 islands.
The United Nations
has its headquarters in New York City.
Sears
is a department store
News
is singular
The news
is interesting
