Joe should not follow, was not, since Joe is unique? But Joe isn`t really there, so let`s say that wasn`t the case. The sentence shows the subjunctive mind used to express things that are hypothetical, desirable, imaginary or objectively contradictory. The connective subjunctive mind pairs individual subjects with what we usually consider plural verbs. Article 9. Some collective nouns, such as family, couple, staff, public, etc., may accept either a singular or a plural verb, depending on the use of the phrase. Article 10. The word has been replaced by phrases expressing a wish or contrary to the fact: In these sentences, break and enter and bed and breakfast are composed substantive. If possible, it is best to rephrase these grammatically correct but clumsy sentences. The ability to find the right topic and verb will help you correct the errors of the subject verb agreement. It is recommended to rewrite these sentences whenever possible. The previous sentence would be even better: whoever uses a plural verb with a collective noun must be careful to be precise – and also coherent. This should not be done lightly.
The following is the kind of wrong phrase we see and hear these days: Rule 7. In sentences that begin here or there, the real subject follows the verb. This rule can cause shocks on the road. For example, if I am one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this strange phrase: the word that exists, a contraction of it, leads to bad habits in informal sentences as there are many people here today, because it is easier to say it exists » than « there is. » Usually, it would look awful. However, in the second example, where a question is formulated, the spirit of subjunctive is true. Article 1. A theme will be in front of a sentence that will begin. It is a key rule for understanding the subjects. The word is the culprit in many, perhaps most, subject-word errors. Employees decide how to vote. Meticulous speakers and authors would avoid attributing the singular and plural they attribute to the stick in the same sentence. Article 3.
The verb in either or either, or neither or the sentence is not closest to the name or pronoun. Example: The list of items is on the desktop. If you know that the list is the topic, then choose for the verb. In recent years, the SAT`s testing service has not considered any of us to be absolutely unique. However, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary of English Usage: « Of course, none is as singular as plural since old English and it still is. The idea that it is unique is a myth of unknown origin that seems to have emerged in the 19th century. If this appears to you as a singular in the context, use a singular verb; If it appears as a plural, use a plural verb. Both are acceptable beyond serious criticism. If there is no clear intention that this means « not one, » a singular verb follows.
Examples: I wish it was Friday. She asked him to raise his hand. Examples: Three miles is too far on foot. Five years is the maximum penalty for this offence. $10 is a price to pay. But ten dollars (i.e. dollar bills) were scattered on the ground. Examples: Neither the plates nor the serving bowl go on this shelf. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.
Hassige`s writers, speakers, readers and listeners might regret the all-too-frequent error in the following sentence: Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses ready.
Trackbacks for this post