In languages like Latin and Greek the verb changes its form to agree with its subject in person and number, as the verb be does:

But in English, with two or three exceptions, the only change in form for person and number in common use is the addition of -s in the third person singular.

We should always be especially careful to have the verb agree with the subject when other words come between them; for example:

Every one of us knows this to be true.

1. A subject that is singular in meaning usually takes a verb in the singular number: a. A compound subject with or or nor.

Neither Ella nor May is at home.

Either that boy or his brother is a genius.

b. Collective nouns. (See rules for plural number on pp. 117 and 154).

The committee is an excellent one. Congress has adjourned.

c. Nouns that are plural in form.

Mathematics is easy.

Politics is meat and drink to him.

Athletics is given some attention in this school.

d. Any expression that is singular in meaning.

Ten minutes is a long time.

Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

2. A subject that is plural in meaning takes a verb in the plural number.

a. A compound subject with and.

John and William are here.

b. Collective nouns. (See rules for singular number on pp. 117 and 153).

The committee are all working hard.

The class are trying to agree upon a president.

Note i. Sometimes the words with, together with, as well as, introduce a parenthetical subject of the sentence without affecting the number of the verb. Thus:

Robert, as well as his father and mother, approves your plan.

Robert and his father and mother approve your plan.

Note 2. Some nouns are always to be treated as plural in number. (See p. 117.)

Note 3. When a relative pronoun is the subject, the verb is in the same person and number as the antecedent.

Have you seen any of the girls who were at the party? This is the only one of his poems that has been published.

Exercises

267. Explain why, in the following sentences, the person and number of the verbs are correct:

1. It may be doubted whether any one man or group of men has ever, through literature, exercised such a durable influence on life as Addison and Steele have in the Spectator.

2. The "Idylls of the King" is the epic of chivalry.

3. Tennyson's choice of vigorous Saxon words is an element of strength in his work.

268. In the following sentences, explain why you would use the singular or the plural form of the verbs in parenthesis:

1. The number of immigrants to this land (have) greatly increased.

2. The beauty of these old paintings never (deteriorate).

3. The commission (have) never had half a chance.

4. Both brothers were in the accident, but only one of them (were) hurt.

5. There (were) all kinds of gas stoves.

269. Point out the subject and the correct form of the predicate in the following sentences:

1. Since his death the popularity of his books [have ? has ?] greatly decreased.

2. The way of transgressors [is ? are ?] hard.

3. His collection of books [are ? is ?] very good.

4. Each of the boys [are ? is?] ready.

5. A superior tone of education, manners, and habits [prevails? prevail ?].

6. One of the most important of this sort of colonies [is? are?] our own.

7. The principle of free governments [adheres? adhere?] to the American soil.

8. The temporary absence of worldly scenes and employments [produce? produces?] a state of mind peculiarly fitted to receive new and vivid impressions.