User talk:Karen Mae

== SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT ==

1. A compound subject joined by and usually requires a plural verb.

ex. Malaysia and China are two different countries in Asia.

ex. Rice and chicken is my usual lunch.
 * Exception:When the items of a compound subject joined by and refer to the same person or thing, or together represent a single unit or idea, a singular verb is required.

2. A compuond subject joined by neither...nor, either...or, requires a singular verb if each word in the compound subject is singular.

ex. Neither the guard nor the janitor has seen the robber.


 * Note:When the items of a compound subject joined by neither...nor, either...or differ in number or in person, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

ex. Either my friends or I am to blame.

3. Intervening expressions like as well as, in addition to, with, together with, besides, along with, in company with, accompanied by, including, etc. do not affect the number of the subject.

ex. Kim, together with his classmates, needs to pass the project tomorrow.

4. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning such as economics, gallows, mathematics, measles, civics, mumps, physics, news, etc. require a singular verb.

ex. The news about the economy is discouraging.

5. Some noun like pants, trousers, jeans, shears, scissors, tweezers, pliers, etc. are always plural.

ex. My pants are torn.

6. When a collective noun such as audience, army, class, flock, committee, company, jury, family, swarm, group, herd, team, etc. denotes a collection regarded as unit, so it requires a singular verb.

ex. The audience was surprised.


 * Exception:When it refers to persons or things included in the collection, it requires a plural verb.

ex. The class give their opinions regarding the oil price hike.

--Karen Mae 14:35, 4 March 2006 (UTC)*kmtl*