C h a p t e r 4 3
Usage
aGreeMent of subJect and verb
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
As simple as that seems, five common errors related to subject/verb agreement can
creep into writing.
The most common error occurs when the writer chooses the wrong noun as the
subject.
-^ The writer may choose the wrong noun as the subject when words or phrases
come between the subject and verb.
A package of carrots is in the refrigerator.
(The prepositional phrase of carrots may cause writers to incorrectly
choose the verb are to agree with carrots. However, the singular subject
package takes a singular verb is.)
-^ The writer may choose the wrong noun as the subject when the subject
comes after the verb.
On the table were only old magazines.
(Magazines is the subject, not table, which is the object of the preposition
on; thus the plural noun takes the plural verb are.)
-^ The writer may choose the wrong noun as the subject when a singular
subject is followed by a plural predicate word, or vice versa.
The perfect dietary combination is chocolate cake and a diet cola.
Chocolate cake and a diet cola are a perfect dietary combination.
(Always make the verb agree with the subject, not the predicate word or
words.)
Another common error occurs when a sentence includes indefinite pronouns.
-^ Some indefinite pronouns are always singular and take singular verbs:
someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, each, one,
nobody, no one, either, neither
Everyone is on her target quota. (Think every [single] one is... .)