Page 22 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

English - II

Notes 3. When two or more Singular Subjects are connected by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either-or, ‘neither-nor’, they
take a Verb in Singular ; as—
Either you or he has stolen the watch.
Neither he nor his friend is guilty.
She or her sister is present here.
But when there are two subjects of different persons joined by ‘Neither— nor’ or ‘Either—or’
the Verb agrees in person with the subject nearest to it ; as—
Either he or his companions were guilty.
Either his companions or he was guilty.
Either she or her parents are mistaken.
Either her parents or she is mistaken.
4. Either, neither, each, every and everyone are followed by a Singular Verb; as—
Either of the two brothers is at fault.
Neither of these two roads leads to the hospital.
Each of them is honest.
Every Scout honours the Scout Law.
Everyone of the girls likes her dress.
1. When two Singular Nouns refer to the same person or thing, the Verb must be Singular. The
Article is then not repeated ; as—
The poet and philosopher is dead.
My friend and colleague has come.
2. If two Subjects together express one idea, the Verb may be in the Singular; as—
Slow and steady wins the race.
Rice and curry is my favourite dish.
3. When a Plural Noun expresses some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the
Verb is in Singular ; as—
Nine hundred rupees is not much for this cow.
Twenty kilometres is a long distance.
When two or more Singular Subjects are connected by with, together with, and not, besides, no less than,
the Verb is in Singular ; as—
The suitcase with all its contents was stolen.
Kamal together with her sisters, is present.
He, and not you, is to blame.
No one besides the nurse knows this secret.
He no less than you is guilty.
The Verbs agree with the number of the Nouns that follow the Verb; as—
There is no leaf on the tree.
There are six boys in the classroom.
There were many players present there.
1. Some Nouns which are Plural in form but Singular in meaning, take a Singular Verb ; as—
Mathematics is my favourite subject.
Economics has no charm for him.
This news is false.
The wages of sin is death.

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