SUBJECTS AND VERBS AGREEMENT WITH QUANTIFIERS

Rule 1. The quantifiers 'every', 'each', 'either', 'neither' can only combine with a singular noun and the singular
verb form:
Two students were suspected of cheating on the test. Each student / Each of the students was questioned after
the test.
Neither student / Neither of the students was found to have cheated on the test.
Every student in the course was questioned after the test.
Rule 2. With phrases to specify amounts or units: pair of, bottle of, slide of, set of, cup of, loaf of, glass of, tin
of, peck of, ...., the verbs agree with these words.
Rule 3. With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a variety, a majority, some, all, half, —The verbs are
guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
A lot of the pie has disappeared.
A lot of the pies have disappeared.
A third of the city is unemployed.
A third of the people are unemployed.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
A variety of reasons were given.
Rule 4. The number of / A number of
The number of + plural noun + singular verb….
Today, the number of children is under pressure of stuyding from their parents.
A number of + plural noun + plural verb ….
A number of tables are decorated for the anniversary.
Rule 5. None
When none is followed by a mass noun, it takes a singular verb.
None of the wine was drunk.
When none means no one or not any, verbs can be in either singular or plural form.
None of the printers are working.
None of the printers is working.
None of you are guilty.
None of you is guilty
Practice: 1. Fill in the correct form of verbs
1. Some of the water _____________________(contain) deuterium.
2. Every wild creature _______________ (need) a certain amount of territory for its survival, and the
grown tiger is said to need more than any other land animal.
3. Each man and woman who applied for the position ________________ (be) considered carefully.
4. A number of students recently _____________________ (complete) a Masters degree at TKK.
5. A majority of Finns ________________(be) opposed to the idea of Finland joining NATO.
6. The number of foreign students at TKK ________________(increase) since 2000.
7. A survey among Finnish voters _____________(show) that the majority is opposed to the idea of
Finland joining NATO.
8. One-third of this article ________(be) taken up with statistical analysis.
9. Half of what he writes _________________(be) undocumented.
10. Many researchers _________________(depend) on grants from industry.
11. Half of his articles ____________________(be) peer-reviewed.
12. Fifty percent of the computers ________________________(have) CD-ROM drives.
13. All the studies _____________(be) current.
14. In a given location, more solar energy ________________(reach) the earth's surface on a clear, long
day than on a day that is clear but much shorter.
15. Some hibernating turtles _______________(hold) their breath all winter long.
16. More than half of the whales in the world _________________(be) less than 15 feet long.
17. The number of books ___________________(give away) to the poor children.
18. A number of students ____________________(not pass) the final exam last week.
19. The number of houses ____________________(decorate) with color lights.
20. None of the garbage ____________(be) picked up yesterday.
21. She inspected all of the plates and none _______________(be) chipped.
22. None of the experts _________________ (agree) with the research findings.
23. Bundles of firewood __________________(make) the longest-lasting campfires.
24. The pair of gloves ____________________(not be) mine.
25. A variety of inexpensive goods ______________________(sell) here
2. Put these words into the correct order to make sentences with quantifier expressions. Don't forget to
include all punctuation!
1. the / is / ocean / of / totally / much / floor / unexplored / .

2. on / been / wasted / great / a / . / has / reports / time / deal / meaningless / of

3. . / time / reason / still / panic / deadline / the / to / before / so / have / of / we / plenty / no / there's

4. needs / can / much / . / residents' / the / regain / done / to / before / be / confidence / we

5. of / on / none / . / time / arrived / the / at / children / school