"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belong to the people who prepare fo it today." - Malcolm X
"Singular subjects must have singular verbs Plural subjects take plural verbs"
The pronoun "you" always takes a plural verb.
EXAMPLES:
You were invited to come.
You are asked to wash the dishes.
If a sentence begins with HERE or THERE, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
EXAMPLES:
Here are the ways on how to preserve meat.
There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor.
If two subjects, one single and one plural, are connected by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
EXAMPLES:
Neither the players nor the coach is joining.
Either the conductor or the singers are attending the concert.
A singular subject followed by intervening words or phrases such as WITH, AS WELL AS, IN ADDITION TO, ACCOMPANIED BY, TOGETHER WITH AND NO LESS THAN, takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLES:
Jake, accompanied by hus sister, is enrolling in PCC.
Daddy, as well as my brothers, is enjoying the party.
Singular subjects joined by AND require a plural verb, except when they mean one thing.
EXAMPLES:
Kendrick and EJ are reading novels.
My teacher and friends is here.
Two singular subjects joined by EITHER/OR or NEITHER/NOR take a singular verb.
EXAMPLES:
Neither Freya nor Dulce is waiting for you.
Either Mommy or Daddy is coming with me at the outbound.
If a singular subject is followed by a phrase containing a plural noun, the verb is singular.
EXAMPLES:
One of the girls is yelling so loud.
One of the members is against the rule.
The indefinite pronouns SEVERAL, FEW, BOTH, MANY, OTHERS are always plural.
EXAMPLES:
Both were asking to be freed.
Several are seeking justice.
The indefinite pronouns SOME,MOST, ALL, NONE are singular or plural according to the meaning of the sentence.
EXAMPLES:
Some of the boys were absent.
Some of the ice cream is left.
When any of the following indefnite pronouns is the subject, the verb is singular: EVERYBODY, EACH, NO ONE, ANOTHER, ANYBODY, NOBODY, EVERY, NOTHING, EVERYTHING, ANYONE, EITHER, NEITHER, EVERYONE, SOMEBODY, SOMEONE.
EXAMPLE:
Every man and woman in this hall is a member.
Expressions of the time, money, weight, and distance are singular even if the form is plural.
EXAMPLES:
Two years is a long time to wait.
One million dollars was given back to the owner.
When the amount of money refers to seperate unites, the verb is plural.
EXAMPLES:
Five 25-centavo coins were found.
Sixty 100-pesos bills were added to budget.
The following words are always plural: PANTS, TROUSERS, PLIERS, SCISSORS, SHEARS, TONGS. However, if the word PAIR is used, the verbs are singular.
EXAMPLES:
The pants are torn into two.
A pair of scissors was placed on the table.
Certain nouns, though plural in form, are singular in meaning and therefore, take singular verbs.
EXAMPLES:
Mathematics is Kendrick favorite subject.
The latest news is alarming to the public.
When the word is preceded by A, it takes a plural verb. When it is preceded by THE, it takes a singular verb.
EXAMPLES:
The number of students outside is not recorded yet.
A number of students are waiting outside.
When fractions are used, the verb agrees with the object of the OF PHRASE.
EXAMPLES:
One half of the cake was consumed.
One fourth of the employees were attending the seminar.
These nouns may be singular or plural in meaning ATHLETICS, GENETICS, POLITICS, GYMNASTICS, STATISTICS. When the noun refers to an organized activity, it is singular; when the noun refers to the activities of individuals within a group, or to varied activities, it is plural.
EXAMPLES:
Gymnastics is a very popular among girls.
The gymnastics shown in the field today were outstanding.
The name of a country is always regarded as singular.
EXAMPLES:
The bahamas has beautiful beaches.
Philippines is a wondrous place.
Adjectives used as nouns are considered plural.
EXAMPLES:
The poor are to be helped.
The efficient are what this country needs.
Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on whether the individual members are acting individually or collectively. These nouns are: COMPANY, GROUP, COMMITTEE, CROWD, JURY, FLOCK, TEAM.
EXAMPLES:
The committee is against the plan.
(acting collectively-singular)
The committee are of different opinion.
(acting individually plural).
In the use of mathematical expressions, the following are accepted
EXAMPLES:
Seven plus three is ten.
Seven and three are ten.
Five times two are ten.
Five minus two is three.
Titles of books, plays, articles, movies, etc. are regaredd as singular even though words in the title may be plural.
EXAMPLES:
"In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" is a stroy by D. Schwartz.
"Great Expectations" is a must read novel.
Names of organizations take a singular verb when the whole organization is referred to, and a plural verb when the members are referred to.
EXAMPLES:
Lopes and Sons is a successful organization.
Lopez and Sons are holding a two- day annual meeting.
If a sentence begin with the expletive IT, the verb is always singular even if the subject that follow the verb is plural.
EXAMPLES:
It is the schools which must assume the responsibility.
It is us who must take care of the environment.