Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement: Advanced Insights (Part III)
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Chapter 1: Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement Basics
In the initial part of this three-part series on subject-verb agreement, I covered fundamental rules. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject uses a plural verb. Additionally, I discussed nuances involving predicate nouns, collective nouns, and misleading connections.
Section 1.1: The Esoteric Side of Agreement
In the second installment, I delved into more intricate aspects of subject-verb agreement. This includes phrases like "a number of" and various units of measure, as well as deeper dives into collective nouns. Now, in Part III, we will explore further complexities that writers may encounter regarding subject-verb agreement.
Subsection 1.1.1: Mathematical References
People of a certain generation might recall the phrase "one and one is two" from their school days. Interestingly, in American English, the preference has shifted towards "one and one are two." Conversely, in multiplication, we typically say "two times two is four," opting for a singular verb. Quite the paradox!
Section 1.2: Phrases with "After," "More Than," or "One"
It's often beneficial to understand whether specific phrases take a singular or plural verb. For instance, in expressions like "study after study," one might assume a plural verb is appropriate. However, the correct form is "Study after study has shown that most children prefer candy over cauliflower."
Similarly, with "more than one," you might expect a plural verb, but the accurate construction is "More than one study was clear on the subject." This formulation sounds more polished than "More than one study were clear on the subject."
A notable exception arises when "more than one" is followed by a specific reference to a plural noun, such as in "While one of these spiky plants is a cactus, more than one are cacti." A plural verb is also suitable when referencing a quantity greater than "one," like in "More than three hundred species of cacti live in the Sonoran Desert."
It is logical that a verb following "one" in phrases such as "one in three" would take a singular verb, as in "One of every five cacti we measured was over twenty feet tall."
Chapter 2: Decades, Varieties, and Alternatives
Decades consistently take a plural verb: "The 1960s were a time of upheaval" is an appropriate example. When discussing various types of a subject together, a plural verb is also correct. For instance, "Classical and jazz music were widely studied throughout the twentieth century." Although it may seem unconventional to pair a singular noun with a plural verb, this usage is accurate.
When using constructions like "neither…nor" or "either…or" with two singular nouns, a singular verb is typically used, as in "Neither the boy nor his dad is eager to return home from vacation." Conversely, when both nouns are plural, a plural verb is appropriate: "Neither the children nor their parents are eager to return home from vacation."
Challenges arise when a singular and plural noun are combined. The rule is to base the verb on the noun closest to it. Therefore, both of the following sentences are correct:
"Neither her brother nor her parents want to leave yet."
"Neither her parents nor her brother wants to leave yet."
Kudos to you for engaging with this topic that, while not thrilling, can significantly enhance your writing. When you confidently apply correct subject-verb agreement, your writing becomes more polished and accessible, leading to greater appreciation from your readers.
When I'm not editing, I enjoy writing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. I am the author of the novel One Sister's Song and the e-book Not Nearly Everything You Need to Know About Writing.
Chapter 3: Enhance Your Understanding with Visual Learning
To further your understanding of subject-verb agreement, I recommend watching these informative videos.
The first video is titled "SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT (PART 3) | English Lesson - YouTube," which provides an overview of advanced subject-verb agreement rules.
The second video, "Subject Verb Agreement in English Grammar | Part 3: Countable VS Uncountable Nouns," dives deeper into the topic, specifically addressing countable and uncountable nouns.