Comments on: Subject-Verb Agreement

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:37:24 +0000

A million thanks for posting this rule. I have been searching through books and websites for the longest time trying to find an explanation for which verb to use–singular or plural–with a “noun clause + to be + predicate noun” sentence. I have noticed so many people saying things like “What we need are new books,” that I was starting to think I was the one who was wrong, and I have been tempted to use a plural verb along with them. Just one more example of how sloppy we are getting in our use of the English language!

By: Maraniza

Maraniza — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:50:35 +0000

us usual great article ……………………………..

By: Melly

Melly — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:58:47 +0000

Mary K, it would be “One…is…services.”

By: Mary K

Mary K — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:10:44 +0000

What about a singular subject with a plural predicate nominative?

One of the main directions of the company is services to business and industry in the field of…

“One…is…services” or “One…are…services”?

By: Rod

Rod — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:55:23 +0000

I’ve always been confused on what to use for example:
neither the employees nor the boss was/were happy with the results.
A pair of pliers is/are always useful
I know that I’m to Identify the main subject for example: Everything including the clothes in the closet was no were stolen since every… is singular even though clothes is plural but is not the main subject but the first examples mentioned, I’m not quite sure I’d appreciate your help