Unit 7, Subject-Verb Agreement
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Grammar
Lesson 48
Subject-Verb Agreement with Special Subjects
A
collective noun
names a group. A collective noun is considered
singular when it refers
to a group as a whole; it is considered plural when it refers to each member of the group
individually.
The
committee sponsors an essay contest every year. (singular)
The
committee disagree about how to divide the funds. (plural)
Certain nouns that end in -
s, such as
mathematics, measles, and
mumps, take
singular
verbs. Other nouns that end in -
s, such as
scissors, pants, binoculars, and
eyeglasses, take
plural verbs.
Many nouns that end in -ics may be singular or plural, depending upon
their meaning.
Mathematics
fascinates Cory. (singular)
Eyeglasses
were prescribed by Jolene’s ophthalmologist. (plural)
Physics
is my favorite science course. (singular)
The physics of the invention
baffle Dr. Sorenson. (plural)
When a noun of amount refers to a total that is considered as one unit,
it is singular and
takes a singular verb. When a noun of amount refers to a number of individual units, it is
plural and takes a plural verb.
One
hundred fifty dollars seems like a lot to pay for one dress. (singular)
One hundred fifty dollars
are packed into that jar. (plural)
A title is always singular, even if a noun within the title is plural.
Wuthering Heights is the subject of Corinne’s book report.
Exercise 1
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