Page 172 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 9: Basic Grammar

Rule 5: When a singular and plural subject are connected by either/or or neither/nor, put the plural Notes
subject last and use a plural verb.

Example: Neither John nor the others are available.
Rule 6: As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected
by and.

Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
Rule 7: Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as,
besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural
verb.

Examples: 1. The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
2. Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Rule 8: The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and
somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.

Examples: 1. Each of the girls sings well.
2. Every one of the cakes is gone.

Notes 1. Everyone is one word when it means everybody.

2. Every one is two words when the meaning is each one.
Rule 9: With words that indicate portions – percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none,
remainder, and so forth – look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to
determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular,
use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples: 1. Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.

2. Pie is the object of the preposition of.
3. Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.
4. Pies is the object of the preposition.
5. One-third of the city is unemployed.

6. One-third of the people are unemployed.
Rule 10: When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.

Examples: 1. Neither of them is available to speak right now.
2. Either of us is capable of doing the job.

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