Singular and plural nouns
February 7th, 2011 in Improve English
The verb must agree with its subject in number and person. That is the verb must be of the same number and person as its subject. If the subject is plural, the verb must be in the plural. Similarly, if the subject is singular the verb must be singular.
Incorrect: Petrol or kerosene are used.
Correct: Petrol or kerosene is used.
Two singular nouns joined by or take a singular verb.
Incorrect: A melon or grapes is suitable.
Correct: A melon or grapes are suitable.
Correct: Grapes or a melon is suitable.
When a singular noun and a plural noun are joined by or, the verb agrees with the nearest noun – it would be better to use the plural noun second; then a plural verb would be used.
Incorrect: One of my students sing well.
Correct: One of my students sings well.
Incorrect: One of the eggs are bad.
Correct: One of the eggs is bad.
A singular noun should be used after one of and a plural noun.
Incorrect: Bullets or a bomb are not allowed on the plane.
Correct: Bullets or a bomb is not allowed on the plane.
Correct: A bomb or bullets are not allowed on the plane.
Incorrect: Hundred dollars are too much to lose.
Correct: Hundred dollars is too much to lose.
When the subject is a sum of money considered as a whole, the singular verb is used.
 Business English
            	Business English Common Mistakes
            	Common Mistakes Creative Writing
            	Creative Writing English for children
            	English for children English Games
            	English Games English Grammar
            	English Grammar English Learning
            	English Learning English Quiz
            	English Quiz English Teaching
            	English Teaching ESL
            	ESL Essay Writing
            	Essay Writing Expressions
            	Expressions IELTS
            	IELTS Improve English
            	Improve English Letter Writing
            	Letter Writing Online Jobs
            	Online Jobs Punctuation
            	Punctuation Reviews
            	Reviews Style Guide
            	Style Guide Test Preparation
            	Test Preparation TOEFL
            	TOEFL Uncategorized
            	Uncategorized Vocabulary
            	Vocabulary Words
            	Words Writing
            	Writing