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Subject-Verb Agreement: A few observations

In case of multiple subject, or NP involving a collective or defective noun, extra attention must
be paid to matters of agreement.

1. There is/are requires sg./pl. N.P. It also combines with uncountables.


Ex. There are no bed, no pillows, and no mattress in here. There are some things I have to tell
you. There was a lot of noise outside. There’s the door!

2. As well as (along with) in between commas requires singular V.P.


Ex. Mary, along with Emma, is good at mathematics.

3. Either…or/ neither…nor phrases require that the verb agrees with the Head Noun (i.e.
the noun or pronoun which is closer to the main verb).
Ex. Either the library (sg.) or the bookstores (pl.) have current magazines. Neither the magazines
(pl.) nor the book (sg.) discusses this issue. Either Kay or I am going to win. Neither Kim nor my
mother is interested in Geography.

NB. Either and Neither used individually require a singular VP.


Ex. Either/Neither of the suits is elegant.

4. Both requires a plural V.P., whereas none requires a singular V.P.


Ex. Both Rowling and Tolkien are favorite British authors. None of my friends has arrived.

5. All agrees with the referent (sg. or pl.).


Ex. There is no more water. All is gone.; My friends are nice people. All are here.;
All that glitters is not gold. (proverb)

6. Indefinite pronouns require a singular V.P.(somebody, nobody, anybody, each and every
etc.).
Ex. Nobody knows where he went. Everybody likes him, don’t they? Each of us has found a
place to rest.

Exercise 1. Translate into English, playing attention to matters of agreement:


Atât fratele meu cât şi parinţii lui citesc o carte a lui Bill Gates. Nici ei nici el nu au citit mai
mult de câteva capitole. Ori tu ori eu o să prezentam azi primul raport. Nici tu nici el nu mergeţi
la biliotecă în mod frecvent. Niciunul dintre ei nu e aici. Toţi sunt plecaţi. Fie filmele, fie ştirile
mă interesează…Atât filmele cât şi ştirile sunt fascinante.

7. Collective phrases:
- phrases like “a variety/collection/ group of…” require a singular V.P. : A variety of stamps is
on display at the post office. A group of protestors was seen marching towards the Parliament.
- “quantity” phrases require a singular V.P.: 600 miles is a long way. Two weeks goes fast when
you are busy. 50$ is a good price for a bike.
- the+ ADJ = name of group; it requires a plural V.P.: The rich are not happy. The poor have
little. The Young and the Restless etc.
- nouns such as: advice, news, knowledge, information equipment etc (uncountable nouns)
require a singular V.P. (they can be counted with “an item/piece of…”)
- nouns such as: audience, committee, class, team etc (collective nouns) require sg. or pl. V.P.
depending on context (if they are regarded as individual members, they take a plural verb)
- names of sciences, diseases or games ending in “-s” take a sg. V.P.
Ex. Billiards is entertaining. Mumps is contagious. Physics is unfathomable.

8. Other cases:
- arithmetical operations+sg. V.P.: 7 plus (added to) 3 equals 10. 4 divided by 2 is 2. 10
multiplied by 10 is 100. 1 substracted from 5 is 4 (or: 5 minus 1 is 4.)
- SB./Predicative Clause + singular VP.: What my country needs is peace. Movies is what the
audience want(s).
- plural titles (of books or movies) are followed by a sg. VP.: The Arabian Nights is a children’s
story book. 101 Dalmatians is a Disney cartoon. The Brothers Karamazov was written by
Dostoyevsky.
- nouns designating “double objects” take a plural VP. (counted with “a pair of “):
Where are the scissors? I need some compasses to measure the circumference of the circle.

Exercise 2: Translate into English


Acestea sunt sfaturi bune. De ce nu le urmezi? Cunoştiinţele lui de sport sunt vaste. Crezi că cei
fără casa sunt neglijaţi de societate? Un grup de protestatari se adună în faţa primăriei. Cei tineri
au o mare influenţă asupra modei. Grăbeşte-te, vine poliţia. Colecţia de monede vechi a fost
moştenită de nepot.

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