Subject and Verb Agreement

Subject and Verb Agreement
1. Collective Nouns * Consider a collective noun singular when it refers to a group as a whole.
The orchestra rises.
My family loves to travel. * Consider it plural when it refers to each member of a group individually.
The orchestra are voting for their new conductor.
My family take turns choosing places to go.
2. Special Nouns * Nouns plural in form (ending in S) but singular in meaning take singular verbs.
Acoustics, economics, linguistics, mathematics, measles, mumps, news, physics, rickets, phonetics, etc.
Linguistics is an interesting subject. * Nouns singular in form (not ending in S) but plural in meaning take plural verbs.
Cattle, livestock, poultry
Cattle number more than people in some countries. * Nouns always used in the plural (always end in S) require plural verbs.
Eyeglasses, shears, pliers, pants, thanks, congratulations, slippers, trousers, clothes, etc.
These binoculars are a bargain.
In some cultures, thanks were given to the gods to make them happy. * Nouns expressing abstract ideas are usually singular in form and require singular verbs.
Poverty, courage, education, fear, happiness
Poverty is not an obstacle to success. * The following MASS nouns are ALWAYS singular and require singular verbs:
Ammunition, applause, baggage, luggage, blood, bread, chalk, coffee, dirt, dust, electricity, equipment, furniture, gossip, gravel, heat, homework, ice, information, ink, jewelry, lightning, music, machinery, milk, money, perfume, poetry, prose, rice, salt, scenery, soap, sugar, thunder, water, smoke. * When the foregoing nouns are preceded by pieces of, kinds of, drops of, collection of, etc. they require plural verbs.
Antique pieces of furniture are sold at that store.
Rare collections of jewelry are expensive.
Drops of blood were seen on the floor. * Some nouns always plural in form but either singular or plural in meaning require the verbs to agree with the meaning intended.
Politics
Ethics
Statistics
Barracks
Means
Series
Politics thrives in the absence of an absolute ruler.
Differing politics were sometimes the cause of disagreement among the senators. * Some nouns change their meanings with a change in form.
Singular; change: Plural; changes.

3. Amounts and time as subjects. * Use a singular verb with a subject that refers to a singular unit:
Twenty-four is the number of books in the Iliad.
Ten years seems like eternity for one who is waiting.
4. Titles and names as subject. * The title of a book, movie, television program, musical composition, country or organization is singular.
Little Women fascinates me.
The United States is considered the champion of democracy.
5. The number, the variety, a number, a variety * The number and the variety when used as subjects take singular verbs; a number and a variety take plural verbs.
The number of visitors to the exhibit increases in weekends.
The variety of flowers in the garden is surprising.
A number of the visitors are foreigners.
A variety of civilization are discussed in this textbook.
6. Compound subjects joined by and * Usually considered plural; but when the parts of the compound subject are parts of one unit or refer to the same person, place or thing, the subject is considered singular.
The librarian and the students are reading,
Macaroni and cheese tastes delicious.
Bread and butter was all they offered us.
7. Compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor” * The verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.
Neither the librarian nor the students are reading.
Either the librarian or the student is reading.
8. Many a, every and each with compound subjects * When they precede a compound subject, the subject is considered singular.
Each librarian and student is reading.
Every student, teacher and parent wants good grades.
Many a wish and desire has remained unfulfilled.
9. Intervening expressions * Certain expressions such as accompanied by, as well as, in addition to, etc. introduce phrases that modify the subject but do not change its number.
Loyalty, in addition to similar interests, is essential to a long term friendship.
The princesses, accompanied by a bodyguard, were ushered into the ballroom.
10. Indefinite pronouns as subjects * The verb must agree in number with an indefinite pronoun subject.
Everybody attends the meeting.
Some of his music was quite sophisticated.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Some of his songs were fun to sing.