Theoretical grammar of english

16 Agreement in number between the subject and the predicate in Modem English.
Agreement is one of the principal means (together with word order) to show the relation between the subject and the predicate.
Agreement in English may be formal and notional. In the majority of cases agreement is formal: the subject and the predicate agree in form - in number and sometimes in person.

The predicate agrees with the first component of the subject expressed by a phrase:

1. When the sentence begins with the formal subject there
E.g. There is a table and several chairs in the room.
There are several chairs and a table in the room.
2. In questions beginning with where
E.g. Where is my hat and my gloves?
Where are my gloves and my hat?
3. When the components are joined by with or as well as
E.g. A woman with children was there.
The teacher as well as the students was there.
The predicate agrees with the last component of the subject expressed by a word group if the components, are joined by either... or, neither... nor, not only... but also. E. g. Either you or I am to do it.

In some cases however the agreement is notional and varies with the same word in accordance with the notion it expresses (one object - more than one object)

E.g. Bread and butter are important foodstuffs.
The bread and butter is on the plate.
The red and the white blanket are very good.
The red and white blankets are very good.
The red and white blanket is very good.

Who is he?

Who are they?


A number (a variety) of books for home reading were suggested to them.
The number (the variety) of books suggested to them was great.


The family is small (the collective)
The family are small and blond (members of the family)