The verb agrees with the subject!

We have finally signed the contract. Abide with me wherever I go . . . . .

I do ! ! !

takes

take

Depending on the Subject or Antecedent

take/s

Vs (inflected) General Rule: Singular nouns in the 3rd person require a Vs

anybody each every everythinganyone each one everybody neitheranything either everyone every kindnobody no one nothing one (of)

The accompanying prepositional phrase and compounding of the subject do not affect the singularity of the V.

Examples:1. Neither of the participants moves for a

postponement.2. Every resident and storeowner takes care of his

immediate area to clean.

Examples:

1. 12 c.c. of sulfuric acid was poured.

2. Ten years is a considerable time to wait.

Examples:

1. The statistics (data) prove that women outlive men.

2. Statistics is a research-oriented subject.

civics mumps acoustics molasseseconomics physics gymnastics athleticslinguistics aerobics politics humanitiesmeasles mathematics

Examples:

1. Bread and butter is nourishing.2. Rice and fish solves my hunger.

hams and eggs science and technologyrice and fish bread and buttertechniques and resourcesresearch and developmentsecretary and treasurer (concurrent positions held by one person)

Examples:

1. Much sugar is added in my coffee.2. A great quantity of rice is hoarded.

a great quantity (of) a great deal (of)a large quantity (of) a good deal (of)a little

Examples:

1. The number of students is absent.2. The number of teachers grows each

year.

Examples:

1. A few workers knows the way.2. A couple of days is enough to finish

the project.

Examples:

1. A series of experiments serves as a good evidence.

2. A substantial portion of the proceeeds goes to charity.

Example:

1. What they want is demonstrations nationwide.

2. That we did it surprises him.

Example:

1. The audience is noisy.2. The audience are clapping their

hands one by one.

audience committee crowdgroup team familypersonnel staff

Example:

1. Fifty-six minus four is fifty-two.2. Five times two equals ten.

Examples:

1. Many scores are below the passing mark.

2. A great number of administrators are insensitive.

Vo (uninflected plural)

a great number (of) a large number (of)a good number (of)

Example:

1. Slacks are worn by teachers.2. Fireworks add color to the festival.

wages headquarters odds ashestongs means clothes scissorsthanks hysterics shears trouserspliers slacks tweezers tidingspains fireworks resources dole-outs

whereabouts instructional materials

Example:

1. Several have reported for duty.2. Both are gays.

several people various bothcouple numerous few some (of)

Examples:

1. A number of students are absent.2. A number of teachers grow each

year.

Example:

1. The working force is three men, and four women.

2. His sole support is his mother and father.

Vs or Vo Depending on the Subject or Antecedent

Examples:

1. Two thirds of the apple is rotten.2. Two thirds of the apples are rotten.

two thirds more/most a lot of lots of any allplenty of a fraction a percentnone (used more with Vo for people)

Examples:

1. Either Ester or I am to chair the committee.

2. Neither the teacher nor the students are late.

either – or neither – noror nor

Examples:

1. There comes a time when boredom sets in.

2. Here are the keys to the rooms in the dorm.

Examples:

1. Lebron James, together with the coaches and water boys, travels to Japan for exhibition games.

2. The coaches and water boys, together with Lebron James, travel to Japan for exhibition games.

together with includingin addition to accompanied byas well as

Examples:

1. The students, not the adviser, are responsible for the schedule of the activities.

2. The adviser, not the students, is responsible for the schedule of the activities.

Examples:

1. That woman who sits beside them is my sister.

2. One of the committee members notes the candidate’s smoking habit.

3. My friend is one of the committee members who are observing the candidates.