COMPREHENSIVE GRAMMAR OF CURRENT ENGLISH

A
270
Verb Complement (expressing distancel
11. Subject +
12. Subject + Verb +
that +
+ 'to' infinitive.
Adjective
Noun Clause.
\rnarn
+ Verb +
13. Subject
14. Subject + Verb + Clause (beginning with 'when'). \sa
15. Subject + Verb+Clause (beginning with
'where'). knov
16. Subject + Verb
+ Clause (beginning
with 'why'). ask
with 'how'"onde
+ Clause (beginning er
17. Verb + Noun/Pronoun
show
CHAPTER 41
AGREEMENT OF THE VERB WITH
THE SUBJECT

41.1. A finite verb agrees with its subject in number and persar
lam wrong. The cat runs fast. We know him well. You look ill
scoundrel.
The peon cycles to office. He is a
41.2. Error of Proximity. Sometimes the verb is made to agree in niun
because the noun stands na
with a noun other than its proper subject near it.
This should be avoided.
The state of affairs is sure to cause him anxiety. (not, are)
A course of lectures arranged. (not, were)
was
The introduction of reforms was not liked by the aristocracy. (not wers
ere
41.3. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by and requirea
plural verb: as,
Ajit and l are great friends.
of town?
Are not your father and mother out
The man and woman were determined to leave the village.
in our street.
A carpenter and a blacksmith live
Two and two make four.
41.4. But if two nouns joined by and refer to the same person orthing
or suggest one idea to the mind, the verb is singular; as,
dead.
Disraeli, the statesman and novelist, is
My friend and patron is not at home.
The horse and carriage is ready
Slow and steady wins the race.
Bread and butter is wholesome.
E99s and bacon is his favourite breakfast dish.
Curry and rice was my favourite dish.
41.5. When a singular nominative (noun or pronoun) is joined to anotne
with,
noun or pronoun by with, as well as, besides, and not, together
less than, and other similar expressions, the verb is singular; as,
The shop, with its contents, was burnt down.
The ship, with its crew, was saved.
Silver as well as gold is a precious metal.
The father as well as the son is
industrious.
 AGREEMENT OF THE VERB WITH THE SUBJECT 271
Hen oless
than you is guilty.
less than you are guilty).
(=
He is guilty no
besides Sohan, knows it.
No one,
a n d .not you, has won the prize.
Kiran,

together with his friends, was present.

Harish
fe . When two subjects are joined by "as well as", the verb agrees
Note with the first one; as,
in
mber and person
My comrades as well as I myself were invited by the chief of the tribe.
My
as they was present.
He as well
a1.6. Two or more nouns or pronouns in the singular connected by or
take a verb; as,
singular
or nor
Either the cat or the dog has been here.
Neither Harish nor his brother is to blame.
41.7. But when one of the subjects joined by or or nor is plural, the
verb must be plural, and the plural subject should be placed nearest the verb;
as,
The farmer or his sons plough the fields.
Neither the old man nor his sons are prepared to sell the cow.
When the subjects joined by or or nor are of different persons, the verb
agrees with the nearer; as,
Neither you nor / am here.
Either he or you are to blame.
Neither you nor he is to blame.
Neither he nor they are mistaken.
41.8. A singular verb follows many a, each, every, everyone, anybody,
either, neither, no one, nobody; as,
Many a man has ruined his life for want of a good guide.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.
Many a man does not know his own interests.
Each of the boys was given a pen.
Everyone of the hotels is full.
Either of the candidates has stolen the book.
Neither of the two plans was approved.
41.9. When two nouns are qualified by each or every, although
Connected by and, they require a singular verb; as
Every boy and every girl was given a silver medal.

41.10. Some nouns which are plural in form, but singular in meaning,
take a
singular verb; as.
The news is false.
The wages of sin is death.
Mathematics is a difficult subject.
Note: 'Wages' nowadays is treated as plural.
Wages are rising.
 A COMPREHENSIVE GRAMMAR OF CURRENT ENGLISH
272
41.11. A collective noun takes a singular verb when
the
thought of as one whole ; plural verb when the individuals olectio.
als of
composed are thought of; as, whichitit is
The mob (i.e., as a single body) has gathered quickly.
The mob (i.e., individuals of the mob) were scattered in all ci
irect
The jury (i.e., members of the jury) were divided in their opinion
The jury (i.e., as one body) selected its chairman. pinions
The Government has introduced a Bill.
The Government were hopelessly undecided.
A number of patriots have been imprisoned.
41.12. When the plural noun is
a proper name for some single ahi.
or some collective unit, it requires a singular verb; as, object
Gulliver's Travels' was written by Swift.
The United States has a President.
'Thrice-told Tales 'is an interesting book.
41.13. When a plural noun denotes some
particular amount or quantit,
considered as a whole, the verb is usually singular; as,
Hundred paise is equal to one rupee.
Seventy-five thousand rupees is a large sum to earn.
Twenty kilometres is a long distance to cover in an hour.
Three parts of the work is left for me to do.
41.14. Some nouns which are
take a plural verb; as,
singular in form, but plural in meaning
Six dozen cost only ten rupees.
41.15. Means and pains take either the
but the construction must be consistent; as singular or the plural verb;
Another means of communication is television.
All
(Singular)
possible means have been tried to bring about a compromise.
(Plural)
Great pains have been taken in this matter.
(Plural)
Much pain is being taken.
(Singular)
Pains' when it means 'care' or 'effort' is
verb. generally followed by a plura
41.16. None should be used in the
singular but popular
the plural also; as,
usage acCCE
None of his poems are now
read. (Plural)
Was there any letter
for me? There was none for
Are there
any pens in the box? There are
you. (Singuia
None of these facts none.
are true.
*.In denials, for persons no one is used as ; as
Is there
any boy in the room? singular, none as p
Are there No, there is no one.
any boys in the
room? No, there are none.
 AGREEMENT OF THE VERB WITH THE SuBJECT 273

EXERCISE 1
Strike out the wrog words in the
following sentences:
111
(1)(Neither/none) ot them (was, were) absent. (2) The horse and
Larelis) ready. (3) Curry and
(4)
Vour car and mine fis/are) both atricethe(were/was)
door.
his favourite food,
etance. (6) Neither Rama nor Krishna (5) Eight miles (are/is) a
or (are/is)
The ship with guílty. (7) w house
The
(was/were)sold.
re
with its furniture

ate of affairs in thé

(9) The state
(8) its crew were/was)
Ootyto the GovernmentJO) Each of thecountry fwere/was) such as to cause
anted. (11) Every
arres
suspected
passehger (earry/carries) (their/ his) men (was/were)
Neither of the. (are/lis) to the point. (13) The luggage. (12)
explanation
nembers (attend/attends) the meeting. (14) Five and fivechairman as well
n(15) The army Fare/is) under orders to march. (16) (makes /make)
alk (olease/pleases) him. (17) Neither he nor I (aretam) in Nothing
the
but idle
My friends as well as(were/was) honoured. (19) Thou wrong. (18)
warded in heaven. (20) The price of the chairs has/have fvwitt/wilt) be
There (is/are)
a cat and a dog in the room. gone up. (21)
were) finished.
(22) Two-thirds of the book (was/

EXERCISE-2
In each of the following sentences supply a
Verb in ageement with its subject:
(1) The jury...2 BAL. divided in their opinions.
2) The Three Musketeers... 9.....written by Dumas.
(3) Either he or you.......AA.R a t the top of the list of selected
candidates.
(4) The horse and cart...Wa...at the door.
(5) Fire and water... .... not agree.
(6) His means..MR..small.
(7) Neither I nor he...d.. responsible.
(8) His friends as well as he....u. insulted.
(9) Two and two.....MARL four.
(10) Three parts of the business...left for you to do.
(11) One hundred paise..A . . .a rupee..
(12) Neither William nor Bevins...bAs...been invited.
(13) A number of boys. .....AC. caught picking apples.
(14) Every one of them...... honest.
5) The poet and philosopher....dead.
6) Neither the plaintiff nor the defendent.... ...present.
Awhole crowd of us..MAA. going tothe ball.
his sons....mAR,.dishonest./oue
well
T h e old man as as
was when you....WYe...here.
a m still fond of cinemas as I m a n n e r s and customs
40 The origin of most of the Hindu
...unknown.