Noun-Verb Agreement

In this article, we will focus on the cases where a noun (or multiple nouns) acts as the subject. So, we will study how different noun forms agree with the verb.

Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning

Rule 1

With nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning – We use singular verb.

Let us see some of such nouns:

• Names of countries: The United States, The West Indies, etc.

• Names of games: Billiards, Darts, Draughts, etc.

• Name of diseases: Measles, Mumps, Rickets, Shingles, etc.

• Names of books: The Arabian Nights, Three Muskeeters, etc.

• Names of subjects: Physics, Economics, Civics, Statics, Politics, Linguistics, etc.

Mathematics is a difficult subject to master. (is – singular verb)

Rule 2

Proper name for some single object or some collective unit (even if it’s plural in form) – it is followed by a singular verb.

The Arabian Nights is my favorite movie. (is – singular verb)

The United States has won the soccer championship. (has - singular verb)

Rule 3

Some noun phrases with a plural form (denoting some specific quantity or amount) are thought of as a whole, and so we use singular verb with them.

For example, Noun phrases referring to:

• measurements (e.g. a certain distance, a certain period of time),
• amounts (e.g. a certain amount of money) and
• quantities (e.g. a certain weight).

Pattern : Number + Noun in plural form + Singular verb

Ten kilometers is a very long distance for me.
Three days is not long enough for a holiday.
Three thousand rupees is a big amount for a boy like me.
Three parts of the work is left for me to do.
The fifty pounds he gave me was not enough.

Nouns singular in form but plural in meaning

With nouns which are singular in form but plural in meaning – We use plural verb.

Let us see some of such nouns:

cattle, cavalry, infantry, poultry, peasantry, children, gentry, police and people. (’s’ is never used with these nouns.)

Cattle are grazing in the field.
Police have registered an FIR.

Nouns same in singular and plural form

Some nouns are same in singular and plural form.

For example: deer, sheep, series, species, fish, crew, aircraft, counsel etc.

India has imported twenty aircraft this year.

There are twenty fish in the fish pond. (fish – plural meaning; are – plural verb)

Nouns which exist only in plural form

Some nouns exist only in plural form (we cannot remove ’s’ from such nouns to make then singular) – We use plural verb with them.

For example: scissors, tongs, pliers, pincers, bellows, trousers, pants, pajamas, shorts, spectacles, goggles, binoculars, sunglasses, gallows, fangs, alms, amends, archives, arrears, auspices, congratulations, embers, fireworks, lodgings, outskirts, particulars, proceeds, regards, riches, remains, savings, shambles, surroundings, tidings, troops, tactics, thanks, valuables, wages, belongings, braces, shoes, socks, glasses, whereabouts etc.

The proceeds were given to animal charities. (were – plural verb)

Where are my Pants? (are – plural verb)

We can make these nouns singular by using them with ‘a pair of’.

Pattern 1: A pair of + those having two parts + singular verb

A pair of shoes was standing in the corner.

But if we use ‘pairs of’ with nouns that have two parts, we use a plural verb.

Pattern 2: Pairs of + pair nouns having two parts + plural verb

Many pairs of scissors have been bought for you.

Foreign words

With singular form of foreign nouns we will use singular verb and with their plural form we will use plural verb.

Singular and plural forms of some of such nouns have been listed below.

Collective nouns

With Collective nouns we generally use singular verb (when we see it as a group/unit).

The herd of cows is moving towards the river. (herd – collective noun, singular noun; is – singular verb)

The committee has decided to reverse its decision. (committee – collective noun, singular noun; has – singular verb)

But when we talk about the members of the collective noun or when there is a division among the members of the collective noun, then we use plural verb and plural pronoun.

The committee are divided in their opinion. (are – plural verb; their – plural pronoun)

We also encounter the following patterns with collective nouns:

Pattern 1: A + collective noun + of + plural noun + singular verb

A team of scientists have been invited to meet the President. (incorrect)
A team of scientists has been invited to meet the President. (correct; has – singular verb)

Pattern 2: A + collective noun + of + plural noun + relative pronoun + plural verb + singular verb (singular verb – for collective noun; plural verb – for plural noun)

A crowd of people who are from Goa are waiting for you. (incorrect)
A crowd of people who are from Goa is waiting for you. (correct)

Plural numbers

With plural numbers we always use plural verb.

Thirty boys are in my group. (are – plural verb)

There are thirty boys in my group. (are – plural verb)

But there are a few exceptions to this rule.

Exception 1

If plural noun is used after cardinal adjectives (one, two, three, four, etc.) – We will use singular verb

Hundred rupees is not a big amount. (is – singular verb)

Exception 2

If plural noun denotes certain amount, weight, height or period – We will use singular verb.

Twenty miles is not a distance you can travel on foot. (is – singular verb)

Uncountable nouns

With uncountable nouns we use singular verb.

Some Uncountable Nouns: poetry, bread, brick, evidence, equipment, scenery, milk, soap, filth, machinery, furniture, ice, stationary, news, information, work, cutlery, traffic, advice, stone, crockery, grass, luggage, baggage, percentage, knowledge, dirt, dust, electricity, music, breakage, confectionery, pottery, bakery, behaviour, hair, business, mischief, wastage, money, jewellery, fuel, cost, word (when used in sense of message and promise)

These nouns will not take article ‘a/an’, ‘many’, ‘few’, ‘number of’ and plural form.

These days news are travelling very fast. (incorrect)
These days news is travelling very fast. (correct; news- uncountable noun; is – singular verb)

We know that uncountable nouns have no plural form.

But we can make their countable singular/plural form by adding certain words before these uncountable nouns, e.g. piece / bar / cake / slice / loaf / kind / article / strand / item etc.

Along with these, we also use ‘a/an’, ‘many’, ‘few’, ‘some’, ‘number of’, etc.

My informer has provided me a piece of information.
Many kinds of furniture are available here.
I want a few articles of jewellery.
We are in dire need of some items of office stationery.
She ate four slices of bread.

Pattern 1: a piece/bar/cake/slice/loaf/kind + of + uncountable noun + singular verb

Many a piece of information have been imparted so far. (incorrect)
Many a piece of information has been imparted so far. (correct; has – singular verb)

Pattern 2: pieces/bars/cakes/slices/loafs/kinds + of + uncountable noun + plural verb

Many bars of soap has been bought for you. (incorrect)
Many bars of soap have been bought for you. (correct; have – plural verb)

There is a number of slices of bread on the table. (incorrect)
There are a number of slices of bread on the table. (correct; are – plural verb)

Nouns connected by ‘and’

Rule 1

Two subjects joined by ‘and‘ – We will use plural verb.

Ross and Rachel are getting married. (are – plural verb)

Exception

Two nouns qualified by ‘each’ or ‘every’, even though connected by ‘and’ – We will use singular verb.

Every boy and every girl was examined for COVID-19. (was – singular verb)

Rule 2

Two uncountable nouns (discussing two different subjects) joined by ‘and’ – We will use plural verb.

Poverty and misery come together. (come – plural verb; poverty, misery – uncountable nouns)

Rule 3

Two or more than two nouns or adjectives joined by ‘and’ (discussing only one person or thing or idea) – We will use singular verb.

My friend, philosopher and guide have come. (incorrect)
My friend, philosopher and guide has come. (correct; one person being discussed)

Salt and Pepper is my favorite starter dish. (correct; one thing being discussed)

Slow and steady win the race. (incorrect)
Slow and steady wins the race. (correct; one idea being discussed)

Error of Proximity

Error of Proximity – When the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

Instead, we should match the verb with the main subject of the sentence.

Compare the following sentences:
He and not his friends is the culprit. (he - main subject, which is singular)
His friends and not he are the culprit. (his friends - main subject, which is plural)

Some more examples:

The quality of articles is good. (quality – main subject, which is singular)

Your suggestion to discontinue the use of plastic cups has been considered. (suggestion - main subject, which is singular)

Placement of Article

Rule 1

If two nouns are used, but only one article is placed before the 1st noun, it means both the nouns are used for the same person/thing – We will use a singular verb.

Putin is a great orator and a great politician of his time. (incorrect)
Putin is a great orator and politician of his time (correct)

A black and white dog were bought by him. (incorrect)
A black and white dog was bought by him. (correct; was – singular verb)

Rule 2

If two nouns are used, and an article is placed before each noun, it means both the nouns are referring to different persons/things – We will use a plural verb.

The director and villain has come. (the same individual is both the director and villain; has – singular verb)
The director and the villain have come. (director and villain are different individuals; have – plural verb)

singular subject + with, as well as, etc

Other subjects joined to the first subject by ‘with’, ‘as well as’, etc., are parenthetical – We use a verb which agrees with the first subject

Pattern: $Subject_1$ + with/as well as etc. + $Subject_2$ + Verb as per $Subject_1$

Words joining the two subjects: ‘with’, ‘without’, ‘as well as’, ‘along with’, ‘together with’, ‘and not’, ‘in addition to’, ‘but’, ‘besides’, ‘except’, ‘rather than’, ‘accompanied by’, ‘like’, ‘unlike’, ‘no less than’, ‘nothing but‘, ‘led by’, ‘accompanied by’, ‘governed by’.

The train, with its passengers, was lost. (train – singular subject; with its passengers - parenthetical phrase; was – singular verb)

Justice, as well as mercy, allows it. (Justice – singular subject; as well as mercy - parenthetical phrase; allows – singular verb)

Riches and not your character win you respect in this country. (Riches - plural subject, which means wealth; and not your character - parenthetical phrase; win – plural verb)

Miscellaneous Concepts

Concept 1: Noun 1 + Preposition + Noun 2 …

Pattern 1: Noun 1 + Preposition + Noun 2 + Preposition + Noun 3 + ….. + Verb (verb will be as per Noun 1)

The behaviour of these boys and girls are praise worthy. (incorrect)
The behaviour of these boys and girls is praise worthy. (correct; Noun 1 – behaviour, singular noun; is – singular verb)

Pattern 2: Noun + preposition + Noun + singular verb (both nouns are singular, countable and same)

If a preposition joins two same nouns (both singular and countable), then this expression is akin to a singular subject – We will use singular verb.

City after city was swept away in Tsunami. (was – singular verb)

Letter after letter were sent to you. (incorrect)
Letter after letter was sent to you. (correct; was – singular verb)

Concept 2: The + Adjective

‘The + Adjective’ is considered a plural noun. So, we use plural verb with it.

The + Adjective + plural verb

None but the brave deserves the award. (incorrect)
None but the brave deserve the award. (correct; deserve – plural verb)

The rich is very good at exploiting the poor. (incorrect)
The rich are very good at exploiting the poor. (correct; are – plural verb)

Concept 3: Words used in pairs

There are some words, which are used in pairs and they together denote a single entity or a single idea. In such a case we should use singular verb for them.

Some of such words are: Rice and curry; Name and fame; Sum and substance; Slow and steady; Bread and butter; Crown and glory; Long and short; Soup and salad; Eggs and milk; Power and Influence; House and buggy; Eggs and bacon; Age and Experience; Net and Road; Ups and downs; High and low; Fish and chips; Cost and Creed; Boy and baggage; Horse and carriage;

Name and fame is what everybody wants to have in his life.

Bread and butter is very difficult to earn these days.

Rice and curry is my favourite breakfast.

Bread and butter are not available here. (incorrect)
Bread and butter is not available here. (correct)

Concept 4: Noun-in-apposition

Noun-in-apposition: It is used to give additional information about the preceding noun / pronoun.

Pattern: Noun/Pronoun + (Noun-in-apposition) + verb + …

Verb will be as per the noun/pronoun.

I, Mr. Anand, has never hurt Adam. (incorrect)
I, Mr. Anand, have never hurt Adam. (correct; have – plural verb in agreement with I)

You, one of my best friends, is going abroad for higher education. (incorrect)
You, one of my best friends, are going abroad for higher education. (correct; are – plural verb in agreement with You)

Modals

Concept 1: do/does/did/modals

Subject + do/does/did/modals + $V_1$ (Without s/es, i.e. bare infinitive)/have/do (not has/had)

She does not sleeps. (incorrect)
She does not sleep. (correct; sleep – $V_1$)

Erin can’t dances. (incorrect)
Erin can’t dance. (correct; dance – $V_1$)

He must had a car. (incorrect)
He must have a car. (correct)

Concept 2

modal + and + modal + Bare Infinitive + …….
(It means – modal + Bare Infinitive + and + modal + Bare Infinitive +…….)

He can and will help you for sure. (correct)
(It means - He can help and will help you for sure.)

Concept 3

Has / Have / Had + $V_3$ + and + modal + Bare Infinitive ….

You have and will be my favourite trainer. (incorrect)
You have been and will be my favourite trainer. (correct)

Has / Have / Had + $V_3$ + and + is / am / are + $V_4$ + ….

You have and are still doing excellent work for the company. (incorrect)
You have done and are still doing excellent work for the company. (correct)

Concept 4

Subject + suggest / demand / insist / advice / request / recommend….. + that + Subject + (should) + Bare Infinitive + ……….

I suggest that he meets me tomorrow. (incorrect)
I suggest that he meet me tomorrow. (correct)

I demand that everybody pulls up his socks. (incorrect)
I demand that everybody pull up his socks. (correct)

Concept 5

It is essential / imperative / crucial / important / necessary + ……. + that + Subject + (should) + Bare Infinitive + …….

It is important that our leader should is respected. (incorrect)
It is important that our leader should be respected. (correct)

Concept 6

When need/dare work as modals they need not agree with the subject. But they do agree with the subject when they function as main verb.

Need/Dare as Modals - No agreement with the subject

Need/Dare as Main verb – They agree with the subject

Need/Dare as Modals

We witness the following patterns:

Pattern 1: Subject + need / dare (modal) + not + Bare Infinitive (main verb) + ….

We needs not help anybody. (incorrect)
We need not help anybody. (correct; help – main verb)

Erin dares not talk to me. (incorrect)
Erin dare not talk to me. (correct; talk – main verb)

Pattern 2: Need / Dare (modal) + Subject + Bare Infinitive (main verb) + …………….?

Need she go out ? (go – main verb)

Pattern 3: Question Word + need/dare (modal) + Subject + Bare Infinitive (main verb) + ……. ?

How dare he yell at me? (yell – main verb)

Need/Dare as Main verb

We witness the following patterns:

Pattern 1: Subject + need / dare (main verb) + Noun / Pronoun + ….

Mark needs you.

Pattern 2: Subject + need / dare (main verb) + Noun / Pronoun + to + $V_1$ + …..

She dares me to eat ten samosas.

Pattern 3: Subject + need / dare (main verb) + to + $V_1$

I need to eat.

Some special sentence structures

Concept 1

(To + $V_1$) / $V_4$ + singular verb

Dancing, in their opinion are not good for girls. (incorrect)
Dancing, in their opinion is not good for girls. (correct)

To run after money are not commendable. (incorrect)
To run after money is not commendable. (correct)

But see the following sentence:

Both swimming and dancing are good for your health. (correct)

Concept 2

Question Word + (to + $V_1$) + singular verb

How to solve these problems are not my concern. (incorrect)
How to solve these problems is not my concern. (correct)

When to meet you are not decided. (incorrect)
When to meet you is not decided. (correct)

But see the following sentence:

Where he goes and how he earns money is not known to me. (incorrect)
Where he goes and how he earns money are not known to me. (correct)

Concept 3

[Question Word / that / all / all that + subject + auxiliary verb + main verb …..] + singular verb

All that you have done so far has been immensely useful.
(All that you have done so far – Subject; has – singular verb)

Whatever you are saying does not contain a tinge of truth.
(Whatever you are saying – Subject; does – singular verb)

Concept 4

What + verb + subject + verb + ……. (both verbs will be as per the subject)

What was once your project are now mine. (incorrect)
What was once your project is now mine. (correct)

What were once glorious forts is now nothing but piles of rubble. (incorrect)
What were once glorious forts are now nothing but piles of rubble. (correct)

Concept 5

When we need to give importance to an adjective, we place it at the start of the sentence. Verb will be as per the subject.

Adjective + Verb + Subject

Excellent is the pains you have taken to mitigate poverty. (incorrect)
Excellent are the pains you have taken to mitigate poverty. (correct)

Great is the thoughts of Mr. Bose. (incorrect)
Great are the thoughts of Mr. Bose. (correct)

Concept 6

When we need to give importance to an adverb, we place it at the start of the sentence.

Let us see a couple of such patterns.

Pattern 1: Adverb / Adverbial phrase + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (auxiliary verb will be as per the subject)

Always has they tried to sabotage our project. (incorrect)
Always have they tried to sabotage our project. (correct)

Pattern 2: Adverb of place + auxiliary verb + main verb + subject (auxiliary verb will be as per the subject)

At the gate is standing your parents. (incorrect)
At the gate are standing your parents. (correct)

Under the tree were sitting Krishna with his cow. (incorrect)
Under the tree was sitting Krishna with his cow. (correct)

Concept 7

With uncountable nouns we use ‘Amount of/Quantity of’ followed by a singular verb.

Amount of/Quantity of + uncountable noun + singular verb

The amount of money are not sufficient. (incorrect)
The amount of money is not sufficient. (correct; money – uncountable noun; is – singular verb)

Concept 8

Determiner + Noun + and + Determiner + Noun + Plural Verb

The prime minister and the finance minister has been arrested. (incorrect)
The prime minister and the finance minister have been arrested. (correct; they are two separate individuals)

Determiner + Noun + and + Noun + Singular Verb

The poet and teacher are no more. (incorrect)
The poet and teacher is no more. (correct; the same person is both the poet and teacher)

Determiner + Adjective + and + Determiner + Adjective + Noun + Plural Verb

A black and a white dog has bitten me. (incorrect)
A black and a white dog have bitten me. (correct; they are two separate dogs)

Determiner + Adjective + and + Adjective + Noun + Singular Verb

A black and white dog have bitten me. (incorrect)
A black and white dog has bitten me. (correct; there is only one black & white dog)

Concept 9

Adjective + and + Adjective + Uncountable Noun + Plural Verb

Brazilian and Indian tea is the best. (incorrect)
Brazilian and Indian tea are the best. (correct)

Social and cultural life is changing in India. (incorrect)
Social and cultural life are changing in India. (correct)

Consider these words:

what / whatever / whatsoever / who / whoever / whosoever / which / whichever / whichsoever / ……

When they are used as a subject, we always use singular verb.

Who are coming to meet you? (incorrect)
Who is coming to meet you? (correct)

Whosoever have the answer can press the buzzer. (incorrect)
Whosoever has the answer can press the buzzer. (correct)

Concept 10

We use singular verb with the names of:

• Countries / States
• Books and Subjects
• Diseases
• Games
• Rivers

The Arabian Nights have a number of interesting stories. (incorrect)
The Arabian Nights has a number of interesting stories. (correct; has – singular verb)

Physics are a very interesting subject. (incorrect)
Physics is a very interesting subject. (correct; is – singular verb)

Concept 11

We always use a plural verb with the name of a range of mountains.

The Himalayas is in the north of India. (incorrect)
The Himalayas are in the north of India. (correct; are – plural verb)

The Swiss Alps is a range of mountains. (incorrect)
The Swiss Alps are a range of mountains. (correct; are – plural verb)

Concept 12

The + name of a language derived from a country - It denotes the people of that country.

We use plural verb with them.

Pattern: The + name of a language derived from a country + Plural Verb

The English is not as conservative as the French. (incorrect)
The English are not as conservative as the French. (correct; are – plural verb)

The French is known for their fortitude. (incorrect)
The French are known for their fortitude. (correct; are – plural verb)

Concept 13

The + Plural Surname - It denotes a family (comprising of husband wife and children).

We use plural verb with them.

Pattern: The + Plural Surname + Plural Verb

The Sharmas have been in Delhi for years. (correct; have – plural verb)

The Kapoors are very close to my heart. (correct; are – plural verb)

Concept 14: 3 p’s / 3 c’s / gfvsy

We use plural verb with these 3 p’s: People, Peasantry, Poultry

Police

If Police denotes the personnel, then we use Plural Verb.

Pattern: Police (personnel) + Plural Verb

The Police has arrested Zodiac. (incorrect)
The Police have arrested Zodiac. (correct; have – plural verb)

Exceptions:

Exception 1:
If Police denotes the department, then we use Singular Verb
Pattern: Police (department) + Singular Verb

The police has become corrupt in Zimbabwe.

Exception 2:
Pattern: Police (as Adjective) + Noun + Verb (verb will be as per the noun)
Here Police will act as an Adjective (e.g. Policeman, Policewoman)

A Policeman is waiting for you.

3 c’s

We use plural verb with these 3 c’s: Cattle, Cavalry, Clergy

Do you know that the cattle is grazing in the wrong field. (incorrect)
Do you know that the cattle are grazing in the wrong field. (correct; are – plural verb)

gfvsy

We use plural verb with GFVSY:

• G - Gentry (Class of people)
• F - Folk (Native people of a place)
• V - Vermin (worms)
• S - Staff (A group of Employees)
• Y - Youth

The gentry of Noida is highly diligent. (incorrect)
The gentry of Noida are highly diligent. (correct; are – plural verb)

Vermin does much harm to crops. (incorrect)
Vermin do much harm to crops. (correct; do – plural verb)

Concept 15: Means

When Means has a meaning of ‘Source of income’, we use Plural verb.

Pattern 1: Means + Plural Verb

Your parents cannot provide you college tuition because their means is scanty. (incorrect)
Your parents cannot provide you college tuition because their means are scanty. (correct)

When Means has a meaning of ‘Manner/Method’, we use Plural verb or Singular verb.

Pattern 2: Means (singular noun) + Singular Verb

Pattern 3: Means (plural noun) + Plural Verb

All means have been tried to save your wife. (means – plural noun; have – plural verb)

Concept 16: Wages

Pattern 1: When Wages means result – We use singular verb

The wages of sin are death. (incorrect)
The wages of sin is death. (correct; is – singular verb)

Pattern 2: When Wages means payment – We use plural verb

The wages I am getting is very low. (incorrect)
The wages I am getting are very low. (correct; are – plural verb)

Concept 17: Pain

Pattern 1: Pain (uncountable noun) – We use singular verb

The pain my friend has given me are unbearable. (incorrect)
The pain my friend has given me is unbearable. (correct; is – singular verb)

Pains – it means efforts. With ‘pains’ we use a plural verb.

Pattern 2: Great pains – We use plural verb

Great pains has to be taken to achieve this. (incorrect)
Great pains have to be taken to achieve this. (correct; have – plural verb)

Concept 18: Politics

Pattern 1: Politics (i.e. Politics subject) – We use singular verb

Politics are a very interesting subject. (incorrect)
Politics is a very interesting subject. (correct; is – singular verb)

Pattern 2: Politics (as an activity) – We use singular verb

Office politics are something I don’t like. (incorrect)
Office politics is something I don’t like. (correct; is – singular verb)

Common Subject

Consider the following sentence:
Being sick, I could not study. (correct)

Let us analyze the sentence:
I could not study – subject is ‘I’

Being sick - the subject is not mentioned before ‘being’, so subject ‘I’ of the second part of the sentence becomes the common subject of both the parts. It’s absolutely fine as both predicates are talking about the same person.

Consider another sentence:
Being a rainy day, I could not go to school. (incorrect)

Let us analyze the sentence:
I could not go to school – subject is ‘I’

Being a rainy day - the subject is not mentioned before ‘being’, so subject ‘I’ of the second part of the sentence becomes the common subject of both the parts. But it makes no sense, as “I being a rainy day” is absurd.

The correct subject of the first part of the sentence is ‘It’ and it should be mentioned explicitly.

It being a rainy day, I could not go to school. (correct)

If we need two forms of a verb in a sentence, we must use both of the forms.

Your father has never and will never kill anyone. (incorrect)
Your father has never killed and will never kill anyone. (correct; killed - $V_3$; kill – $V_1$)

Nothing has or will be more sinful as your conduct. (incorrect)
Nothing has been or will be more sinful as your conduct. (correct; been - $V_3$; be – $V_1$)

Optative sentences

In optative sentences, plural verbs are used with singular subjects.

Long live the king! (correct; live – plural verb; king – singular subject)

Hypothetical sentences

Hypothetical sentence – A sentence that states an imaginary position. It starts with if, as if, as though, suppose, I wish, in case, would that etc.

In such hypothetical sentences we use the verb ‘were‘ (not ‘was’) irrespective of the number of the subject.

I wish, I was rich. (incorrect)
I wish, I were rich. (correct)

It as a subject

When ‘it’ is the subject, we use singular verb, no matter noun/pronoun is singular or plural.

Pattern: It + Singular Verb + Noun/Pronoun (Singular/Plural)

It am I who can bail you out of this predicament. (incorrect)
It is I who can bail you out of this predicament. (correct)

It are John and Ron who are close to my heart. (incorrect)
It is John and Ron who are close to my heart. (correct)

Mathematical expressions

Consider the following expressions:

• ten / twenty ….. percent of

• one-third of / two-thirds of

• ninth / tenth ….. of

• half of / part of / rest of

When singular countable noun or an uncountable noun is used with these expressions, then we use singular verb.

But when plural countable noun is used with these expressions, then we use plural verb.

Pattern 1: ten/ twenty ….. percent of / one-third of / two-thirds of / ninth / tenth…of / half of / part of / rest of + singular countable noun / uncountable noun + singular verb

Half of the furniture are yet to be polished. (incorrect)
Half of the furniture is yet to be polished. (correct; furniture – uncountable noun; is – singular verb)

Two-thirds of the book have been read. (incorrect)
Two-thirds of the book has been read. (correct; book – singular countable noun; has – singular verb)

Pattern 2: ten/ twenty ….. percent of / one-third of / two-thirds of / ninth / tenth…of / half of / part of / rest of + plural countable noun + plural verb

Forty percent of the dolls has been painted. (incorrect)
Forty percent of the dolls have been painted. (correct; dolls - plural countable noun; have – plural verb)

Rest of the students has been suspended. (incorrect)
Rest of the students have been suspended. (correct; students - plural countable noun; have – plural verb)

With the expression ‘the percentage of’, we use singular verb.

Pattern: The + percentage of + …….. + singular verb

The percentage of girls are less than that of the boys. (incorrect)
The percentage of girls is less than that of the boys. (correct; is – singular verb)

The latter / The former / The following

Consider the following:

The latter: the later of the two
The former: the first of the two
The following: whatever comes next

In case of these words, we use verb according to the noun that they refer to.

The following has been chosen to take part in this contest: Aanya, Meenakshi and Geetanjali. (incorrect)
The following have been chosen to take part in this contest: Aanya, Meenakshi and Geetanjali. (correct; have – plural verb)

Your son and your friends are responsible for this mishap, but the latter is more responsible than the former. (incorrect)
Your son and your friends are responsible for this mishap, but the latter are more responsible than the former. (correct; are – plural verb)

Out of these two options, the latter seem much better than the former. (incorrect)
Out of these two options, the latter seems much better than the former. (correct; seems – singular verb)

Extra Books and Tools

If you prefer to learn via books, or want some good English Grammar books for reference purposes, you may read this article which enlists some of the books recommended by us.