The new computer saves me so much time.The new computers save us so much time.In the fi rst sentence, the subject is computer and it is singular—there is only one. In
the second sentence, the subject is computers and it is plural, meaning there is more
than one. A singular noun, such as one computer, does not have an s; but a plural
noun, such as two or more computers, uses the s to show there is more than one.
Now look at the verb. One computer saves me so much time. The verb takes an s to
accommodate a singular subject. Obviously, verbs don’t work according to the same
rules as nouns. With a verb, an added s means that it is singular, not plural.
One more complication: sometimes two words are used to form a plural
subject:
A desk and a chair (plural subject) stand (plural verb—no s) in the corner of
the room. Two things stand in the room.A desk stands in the corner of the room. One thing stands in the room.Once again, a plural subject is followed by a verb with no s. A singular subject is
followed by a verb with an sending.
Let’s look at more examples:
Food and exercise (plural subject) comprise (plural verb—no s) an important
part in any weight-loss program.The two candidates (plural subject) address (plural verb—no s) the crowd.My son and daughter (plural subject) live (plural verb—no s) on their own now.Two cars (plural subject) vie (plural verb—no s) for that spot each morning.Written Practice 1-6
For each of the following sentences, see if there is agreement in number between
the subject and verb. Correct any errors in agreement.
- House prices changes every month.
- The Blake family go camping every summer.
CHAPTER 1 Elements of the English Sentence^15