Mrs. StinnettEnglish II

A word that refers to one person, place, thing, or idea is singularsingular in number.

A word that refers to more than one is pluralplural in number.

In general, nouns ending in –s are plural, and verbs ending in –s are singular.

SINGULAR

PLURAL

sandwich

sandwiches

she

they

family

families

makes

make

goes

go

is

are

A verb should agree in number with its subject.

EX: Spike Lee is a talented movie director.

EX: His films are noteworthy.

The number of a subject usually is NOT determined by a word in a phrase or clause following the subject.

EX: The actors in Lee’s films are rehearsing a scene.

EX: Lee, not one of the acting coaches, has been advising them.

Indefinite pronouns can act as the subject in a sentence.

Remember that some indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or either depending on the context of the sentence.

EX: No one knows the answer.EX: Most of the article is interesting.

Subjects joined by andand generally take a plural verb.

EX: Peru and Chile are South American countries.

EX: Students and teachers report to the auditorium.

Singular subjects joined by oror or nornor take a singular verb.

EX: Neither the president nor the vice president is at the press conference.

Plural subjects joined by oror or nornor take a plural verb.

EX: Either bobcats or wild boars appear in the new documentary.

When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by oror or nornor, the verb agrees with the subject that is nearer to the verb.

EX: Either pizza or sandwiches are served at the study group.

EX: Either sandwiches or pizza is served at the study group.