Rule # 20

Collective group may be singular or plural depending of whether the individual members
are acting individually or collectively. The nouns are: COMPANY, GROUP,
COMMITTEE, CROWD, JURY, FLOCK, TEAM.

IN THE USE OF MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSIONS, THE FOLLOWING ARE

ACCEPTED:

1. Seven plus three is ten

2. Seven and three are ten
3. Five times two are ten
4. Five minus two is three.

RULE # 22

Titles of books, plays, articles, movies, etc. are regarded as singular even though words
in the title may be plural.

1. “In dreams Begin Responsibilities” is a story by D. Schwartz.

2. “Great Expectations” is a must-read novel.

RULE # 23

Names of Organizations take a singular verb when the whole organization is referred to,
and plural verb when the members are referred to.

1. Lopez and Sons is a successful organization.

2. Lopez and sons are holding a two-day annual meeting.

RULE # 24

If a sentence begins with the expletive IT, the verb is always singular even if the subject
that follows the verb is floral.

1. It is the schools which must assume the responsibility.

2. It is us who must take care of the environment.

FINAL RULE:

Remember, only the subject affects the verb!

 Checking of understanding:

1. My sister and my brother (lives, live) in Davao City

2. Either the man of his friends (Knows, know) the answer.
3. Three weeks (is, are) along time.
4. The news (surprise, surprises) me today
5. Each student and teacher (was, were) aware of the difficulty.
6. A car and a bike (is, are) my means of transportations.
7. WE MUWESocial Studies (is, are) my favorite subject.
8. Mumps (is, are) a viral disease.
9. Everyone (look, looks) happy and contented.
10. Several people (observe, observes) the earthquake drill.

DO NOT SAY “YOU’RE WELCOME

1. YOURE VERY WELCOME

2. NO PROBLEM
3. THANK YOU!
4. THE PLEASURE IS MINE , MY PLEASURE, PLEASURE,
5. I KNOW YOU’D DO THE SAME FOR ME
6. THAT’S ALRIGHT
7. NO WORIES
8. DON’T MENTION IT
9. IT WAS THE LEAST I COULD DO
10. ANY TIME
11. SURE!
12. IT WAS NOTHING!
13. MUCH OBLIGED, IM VERY MUCH OBLIGED TO YOU
14. YOU’RE MOST WELCOME!
15. WE APPREACIATE YOURE BUSINESS, WE APPREACIATE YOURE
CUSTOM
16. IM HAPPY TO HELP.
17.