UNIT III - Correct Usage and Mechanics of Style*
Main Sources:
Torreta, N.K. Correct usage and mechanics of style (Eng 10 module). University of the Philippines Los Baños,
Baker, S. (1966). The complete stylist. USA: Thomas Y. Crowell Company.
Mills, G.H. & Walter, J. A. (1986).Technical writing. Quezon City, Philippines: Holt, Rinehart, Winston-Ken, Inc.
Pascasio, E. M., et al. (1997). Basic English for college. Quezon City, Phils.: Ateneo De Manila University Press.
Polishing your style in writing. (1997, November-December). The Electrical Engineer Magazine.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
A. General Rule
The verb must agree with its subject in
number. Singular subjects take the s-form of the
verb or use is, was, or has. Plural subjects take the
base form of the verb or use are, were, or have.
Revision of their views about markets and averages
is mandatory.
Revisions of their views about markets and averages
are mandatory.
B. Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
The indefinite pronouns each, everyone,
everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody,
no one, nobody, one, and anything permanently take
singular form of the verb.
Everyone deserves to be respected.
Every man, woman, and child deserves to be
respected.
The indefinite pronouns several, few, many,
and both permanently take plural form of the verb.
Some were called to report.
When the indefinite pronouns some, none,
any and all are used as modifiers of an of-phrase, the
number (singular or plural) depends upon the object
of the of-phrase. When the object is a quantity or a
mass taken as a whole, the singular form of the verb
is used. When it refers to a number, the plural form
of the verb is used.
Some of the pages were torn.
Some of the milk was spilt.
C. Compound Subjects
Usually, when two or more subjects are
connected by and, the subject is plural and requires
the plural form of the verb.
The message and the warning were alarming.
Sometimes, the two subjects connected by
and form a unit. In this case, the subject is regarded
as singular and takes a singular verb.
Peace and order is what they long for.
When two subjects joined by and refers to
the same person or thing, the subject is singular.
My teacher and adviser receives
commendation from the principal.
My teacher and my adviser receive
commendation from the principal.
D. Proximity Rule
When two subjects are joined by either…or
or neither…nor, the verb must agree with the nearest
subject.
Neither the men nor the policeman is guilty.
Neither the men nor the policemen are guilty.
E. Principle of nonintervention
A verb should not agree with a noun which
intervenes between it and the subject. Words joined
to the subjects by with, together with, in accordance
with, accompanied by, as well as, including, etc. do
not change the number of the subject.
The councilors, as well as the mayor, have agreed to
join the rally.
The reason for their shouts and cheers was not clear.
F. Special Nouns
Nouns ending in s but singular in meaning
(like news, physics, whereabouts, mechanics,
statistics, etc.) take singular verbs.
The news on bribery is daunting.
G. Collective Nouns
A collective noun takes a singular verb
when the group is regarded as a unit, a plural verb
when the individuals of the group are regarded
separately.
The orchestra sounds heavenly tonight.
The orchestra are tuning their instruments.
H. Units of Measurement
Plural unit words of distance, money, time,
and the like take the singular.
2,000 kilometers is a long distance for the
participants.
Two hundred million pesos is a lot of money to be
given as bribe.
I. Fractions and Percentages
Fractions and percentages take the singular
when they modify a mass noun. Either the singular
or plural may be used when they modify a collective
noun. The “of phrase” is considered when they
modify a concrete noun.
Mass:
One half of the toxic has escaped. MISPLACED MODIFIERS
Fifty percent of the toxic has escaped. Place the modifier as close as possible to the
Collective: thing it modofoes.
One tenth of the Philippine population is Muslim. Faulty: She said on Friday to phone him.
One tenth of the Philippine population are Muslim.
Concrete: PARALLELISM
Fifty percent of the guava is rotten. Put ideas of the same rank into the same
Fifty percent of the guavas are rotten. grammatical structure.
J. Nouns occurring in sets of two Faulty: The class found the movie repulsive,
Nouns occurring in sets of two take the offensive, and they thought it was embarrassing.
singular when the noun pair is present, but the plural
when pair is not used, regardless of whether one pair TENSE
or more is being referred to. Use the tense that best expresses your idea.
The barber’s scissors are very sharp. Faulty: He said that health was better than riches.
A pair of scissors is in the box.
K. The Expressions a number of… and the REDUNDANCY/WORDINESS/ VERBOSITY
number of… Express it completely in a few words.
A number of takes the plural, but the number Faulty: The respondents were teachers by
of takes the singular. profession.
A number of UPLB employees have signified for a Faulty: He lives in isolation away from other human
Civil Service Exam review. beings.
The number of UPLB employees who will take Civil Some redundant phrases to avoid (Source: Nov-
Service Exam is 42. Dec., 1997 issue of The Electrical Engineer
L. Plural Titles Magazine):
Plural titles of books, plays, operas, films, • absolutely essential
firms, and the like take the singular. • past experience
The Suzuko Motors has declared bankruptcy. • aluminum metal
• at the present time
PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT • completely eliminated
A pronoun must always agree (in gender and • collaborate together
number) with the noun it refers to. • ten in number
illogical shift in person and number : The United • red in color
Nations is not so firmly established that they can • few in number
enforce international law. • past history
illogical shift in person and number : Everyone has • basic essential
their own view of professional athletes. • honest truth
• Stunted in growth
DANGLING MODIFIERS • true fact
Connect a modifier clearly to the thing it • due to the fact that
modifies. • in order to
Faulty: When only a freshman, Jim’s history teacher • at this point in time
inspired him.

Prepared by
Prof. Ma. Sheila M. Simat