Business English Part 28

3. A singular noun modified by _every_, _each_, _one_, _no_, _many a_; or the p.r.o.nouns _each_, _everybody_, _either_, _neither_, and _none_ when it means _not one_; as,

Each of us _has_ his lesson.

Many an opportunity _has_ been wasted.

Everybody _is_ here now.

4. Singular[1] nouns or p.r.o.nouns joined by _or_, _either--or_, _neither--nor_; as,

Either John or his father _is_ coming.

5. Two nouns joined by _and_, denoting one person or thing; as,

The bookkeeper and stenographer _is_ an expert.

NOTE.--If two persons are meant, the article should be repeated before the second noun.

The following subjects of verbs are plural and require plural verbs:

1. A collective noun denoting plurality; that is, referring to the individuals that compose the group; as,

The cla.s.s _are_ all studious.

2. A compound subject joined by _and_, when the objects joined are different; as,

The door and the window _are_ both open.

3. The p.r.o.noun _you_, though it may denote only one person; as,

_Right_: You _were_ right.

_Wrong_: You _was_ right.

=Exercise 101=

In the following sentences, decide which of the italicized forms is correct. Give the reason for your choice.

1. Two dollars _is_--_are_ too much for you to pay.

2. Bread and b.u.t.ter _is_--_are_ what I prefer to eat.

3. Bread and b.u.t.ter _is_--_are_ both sold here.

4. His opinion and mine _is_--_are_ different.

5. The majority of the cla.s.s _is_--_are_ present.

6. The cla.s.s _is_--_are_ dismissed.

7. The congregation _is_--_are_ asked to remain a few minutes after the close of the service.

8. The community _is_--_are_ rapidly changing.

9. A few of the books _was_--_were_ given to me.

10. There _was_--_were_ forty people present.

11. The secretary and treasurer _was_--_were_ asked to read _his_--_their_ report.

12. One-third of the office _was_--_were_ late this morning because the cars were not running.

13. He _don't_--_doesn't_ understand what I mean.

14. If the quality and the price _is_--_are_ right, buy.

15. There _come_--_comes_ a crowd of people.

16. The library with its thousands of books _was_--_were_ destroyed by fire.

17. There _don't_--_doesn't_ seem to be much difference between the two.

18. The whole system of filing and indexing _is_--_are_ wrong.

19. Safety as well as success _is_--_are_ at stake.

20. The state of public affairs _calls_--_call_ for quick action.

21. Many a man _has_--_have_ neglected golden opportunities.

22. Many men _has_--_have_ neglected golden opportunities.

23. The committee _has_--_have_ given _its_--_their_ report.

24. Our team _was_--_were_ beaten.

25. One of us surely _is_--_are_ mistaken.

26. Every one _was_--_were_ happy when Tom was elected president.

27. Tom and James _is_--_are_ going skating.

28. Tom with his brother James _is_--_are_ going skating.

29. The only thing I have not prepared for dinner _is_--_are_ the potatoes.

30. Fifty feet of sidewalk _was_--_were_ laid to-day.

31. None of the boys _is_--_are_ studying stenography.