Singular or Plural.[88]—The following principles, established by good usage, writers or speakers are liable to forget:—
1. The expressions each, every, many a, either, and neither are singular.
2. When the subject consists of singular nouns or pronouns connected by or, either—or, or neither—nor, the verb must be singular.
3. Words joined to the subject by with, together with, in addition to, or as well as, are not a part of the grammatical subject, but are parenthetical, and therefore do not affect the number of the verb.
4. Since a relative pronoun has the number and person of its antecedent, a verb whose subject is a relative pronoun agrees in person and number with the antecedent of the relative.
5. "When the subject though plural in form is singular in sense, the verb should be singular; when the subject though singular in form is plural in sense, the verb should be plural:"[89] as, "'Gulliver's Travels' was written by Swift;" "Five hundred dollars is a large sum;" "Half of them are gone."
6. "A collective noun, when it refers to the collection as a whole, is singular in sense, and therefore requires a singular verb; when it refers to the individual persons or things of the collection, it is plural and requires a plural verb."[90]
[88] "Foundations," pp, 101-108.
[89] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 56.
[90] Ibid., p. 57.
EXERCISE LIII.
Insert the proper form of the verb "to be" in each of the blank places:—
1. "Horses" —— a common noun.
2. Such phenomena —— very strange.
3. The ship with all her crew —— lost.
4. No less than fifty dollars —— paid for what was not worth twenty.
5. Homer, as well as Virgil, —— once students (a student) on the banks of the Rhine.
6. The committee —— divided in its (their) judgment.
7. The genii who —— expected to be present —— deaf to every call.
8. France was once divided into a number of kingdoms, each of which —— ruled by a duke.
9. Sir Richard Steele lived in the reign of Queen Anne, when the tone of gentlemen's characters —— very low.
10. Each man employed in this department —— paid for his (their) work.
11. Mathematics —— my hardest study.
12. There —— once two boys who were so exactly alike in appearance that they could not be distinguished.
13. Each of the heads of the Chimera —— able to spit fire.
14. The jury —— eating dinner.
15. "Plutarch's Lives" —— an interesting book.
16. One of the most beautiful features of Kennebunkport —— the tremendous rocks all along the coast.
17. The richness of her arms and apparel —— conspicuous in the foremost ranks.
18. My robe and my integrity to heaven
—— all I dare now call my own.
19. Refreshing as springs in the desert to their long-languishing eyes —— the sight of his white cravat and his boots of Parisian polish.
20. The "Arabian Nights" in complete form comprise (comprises) twenty volumes and —— written by different men.
21. Fifty dollars a month —— paid by the government to the widow of the colonel.
22. Ten minutes —— spent in a writing exercise.
23. —— either of you going to the village?
24. Our happiness or our sorrow —— largely due to our own actions.
25. The guidance as well as the love of a mother —— wanting.
26. Every one of these books —— mine.
27. General Custer with his whole force —— massacred by Indians.
28. Three times three —— nine.
29. Nearly three hundred yards of the track —— under water.
30. To admit the existence of God and then to refuse to worship him —— inconsistent.
31. The ebb and flow of the tides —— caused by the attraction of the moon.
32. Six dollars a week —— all he earns.
33. Nine-tenths of his time —— wasted.
34. Three quarts of oats —— enough for a horse's meal.
35. "Tales of a Wayside Inn" —— written by Longfellow.
36. The rest of the Republican ticket —— elected.
EXERCISE LIV.
Which of the italicized forms is preferable?—
1. A variety of pleasing objects charm (charms) the eye.
2. Already a train or two has (have) come in.
3. Each day and each hour bring (brings) contrary blessings.
4. The Senate has (have) adjourned.
5. No monstrous height, or length, or breadth appear (appears).
6. I am the general who command (commands) you.
7. Many a captain with all his crew has (have) been lost at sea.
8. The jury who (which) was (were) out all night has (have) just returned a verdict.
9. He dare (dares) not touch a hair of Catiline.
10. The ambition and activity of this railroad has (have) done much towards the civilization of the world.
11. Thackeray's "English Humorists" treat (treats) not of the writings of the humorists so much as of their characters and lives.
12. Addison was one of the best writers that has (have) ever lived.
13. This is one of the books that give (gives) me pleasure.
14. Give me one of the books that is (are) lying on the table.
15. This is one of the most important questions that has (have) come up.
16. Nothing but vain and foolish pursuits delight (delights) some persons.
17. Six months' interest is (are) due.
18. You are not the first one that has (have) been deceived in that way.
19. My room is one of those that overlook (overlooks) the garden.
20. A committee was (were) appointed to investigate the matter.
21. The greater part of the audience was (were) pleased.
22. The public is (are) respectfully invited.
23. The jury was (were) not unanimous.
24. Generation after generation pass (passes) away.
25. A glimpse of gable roof and red chimneys add (adds) far more to the beauty of such a scene than could the grandest palace.
26. The society hold (holds) their (its) meetings weekly.
27. What is (are) the gender, the number, and the person of the following words?
28. He made one of the best speeches that has (have) been delivered before the school.
29. He is one of those persons who is (are) quick to take offence.
30. This (these) scanty data is (are) all we have.
31. If the meaning of these passages is not carefully explained, some of the congregation may think that Matthew or Paul is (are) guilty of some unorthodox opinions.
Misused Verbs.—See the remarks under "Misused Nouns."
I. A RESEMBLANCE IN SOUND MISLEADS.