When the Verb Changes: Singular Subject, Plural Verb

Navigating the intricacies of subject-verb agreement is a cornerstone of mastering English grammar. While the basic principle dictates that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs, there are exceptions and nuances that can trip up even seasoned writers.

Understanding these complexities is crucial for clear and effective communication, ensuring that your sentences are grammatically sound and convey your intended meaning accurately. This article delves into those instances where a singular subject unexpectedly pairs with a plural verb, exploring the reasons behind these deviations and providing practical examples to solidify your understanding.

Whether you’re an English language learner, a student honing your writing skills, or simply someone seeking to refine your grasp of grammar, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently tackle this challenging aspect of English.

Table of Contents

Definition: Singular Subject, Plural Verb

In English grammar, subject-verb agreement typically dictates that a singular subject should be paired with a singular verb, and a plural subject with a plural verb. However, there are instances where a singular subject is correctly followed by a plural verb.

This occurs when the subject, although grammatically singular, refers to a group or quantity that is perceived or intended to act as a collective unit or when the subject’s meaning implies plurality.

This phenomenon is often observed with collective nouns, which, while singular in form, can represent a group of individuals. The choice of verb form (singular or plural) depends on whether the group is acting as a unified whole or as individual members with distinct actions. Furthermore, certain expressions involving distances, amounts, and periods of time can take a plural verb if the emphasis is on the individual units that make up the total rather than the total itself.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of a sentence where a singular subject takes a plural verb involves identifying the subject and understanding its intended meaning. The key is to determine whether the subject, despite being singular in form, refers to a group that is acting individually.

When this is the case, a plural verb is used to reflect the actions of the individual members, even though the subject itself is grammatically singular. For instance, consider the sentence: “The team are arguing about the strategy.” Here, “team” is a singular collective noun, but the plural verb “are arguing” indicates that the individual members of the team are engaged in the act of arguing, rather than the team acting as a single unit.

Here’s a breakdown of the common elements:

  • Singular Subject: A noun that is grammatically singular (e.g., team, committee, amount, mile).
  • Plural Verb: A verb form that is typically used with plural subjects (e.g., are, were, have).
  • Context: The surrounding words and phrases provide context that clarifies whether the singular subject is acting as a unified whole or as individual members.

Types and Categories

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things considered as a single unit. Examples include team, committee, family, government, audience, class, company, group, jury, and staff. The verb agreement with collective nouns depends on whether the group is acting as a single unit (singular verb) or as individual members (plural verb). This distinction is often a matter of emphasis or regional variation (British English tends to use plural verbs more frequently with collective nouns).

Uncountable Nouns Treated as Plural

Uncountable nouns, also known as mass nouns, typically refer to things that cannot be counted. However, sometimes, when referring to specific instances or types of an uncountable noun, they can be treated as plural and take a plural verb. This usage is less common and often requires careful wording to avoid ambiguity. Examples include data (though “data” is technically the plural of “datum,” it is often used as a singular uncountable noun, but can also be treated as plural, especially in academic contexts), police (always plural, referring to the officers), and sometimes, in specific contexts, nouns like equipment or furniture.

Distances, Amounts, and Periods of Time

When referring to distances, amounts of money, or periods of time, a plural verb can be used if the emphasis is on the individual units rather than the total sum. For example, “Ten dollars are needed to buy this book” emphasizes the individual dollars required.

However, if the emphasis is on the total amount as a single unit, a singular verb is used: “Ten dollars is enough to buy this book.”

Titles of Works

Titles of books, movies, or other works of art that are plural in form but refer to a single work generally take a singular verb. This is because the title is considered a single entity.

However, in some rare cases, if the title is clearly referring to multiple distinct entities within the work, a plural verb might be used, though this is highly uncommon and generally avoided.

Sentences Starting with “There”

In sentences that begin with “there,” the subject comes after the verb. Therefore, the verb must agree with the actual subject, not with “there.” If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural, even though “there” is singular.

For example, “There are many reasons to be happy.”

Relative Clauses and “One of”

When using a relative clause with “one of,” the verb in the relative clause should agree with the noun that “one” refers to. If the noun is plural, the verb in the relative clause should also be plural.

For example, “She is one of the students who are always prepared.” The verb “are” agrees with “students,” not with “one.”

Examples

Collective Nouns Examples

The following table illustrates the use of singular and plural verbs with collective nouns, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

Sentence Explanation
The team is practicing hard for the championship. The team is acting as a single unit with a unified goal.
The team are arguing about the referee’s decision. The individual members of the team are arguing.
The committee has reached a consensus. The committee is acting as a single body to reach an agreement.
The committee are divided on the issue. The individual members of the committee have different opinions.
The family is planning a vacation. The family is acting as a single unit to plan the vacation.
The family are having their individual portraits taken. The individual members of the family are having their portraits taken separately.
The government is implementing new policies. The government is acting as a single entity.
The government are disagreeing on the budget. The individual members of the government are disagreeing.
The audience is applauding enthusiastically. The audience is acting as a single unit.
The audience are coughing and shuffling in their seats. The individual members of the audience are making noise.
The class is taking a test. The class is acting as one unit
The class are all working on different projects. The individual students are working independently.
My company is doing very well this year. The company is acting as a whole.
The company are having trouble agreeing on the new benefits package. The company members are disagreeing.
The group is going to the movies tonight. The group is acting as one unit.
The group are all bringing different snacks to the party. The group is acting as individual members.
The jury has reached a verdict. The jury is acting as one unit.
The jury are not all convinced of the defendant’s guilt. The jury members are not all in agreement.
The staff is working hard to meet the deadline. The staff is acting as one unit.
The staff are taking different shifts to cover the event. The individual staff members are working shifts.
The band is playing a great song. The band is acting as a single unit.
The band are tuning their instruments. The individual members of the band are tuning.
The flock of birds is flying south for the winter. The flock is acting as a single unit.
The flock of birds are scattering in different directions. The individual birds are scattering.
The crowd is getting restless. The crowd is acting as a single unit.
The crowd are pushing and shoving to get a better view. The individual members of the crowd are pushing.

Uncountable Nouns Examples

This table provides examples of uncountable nouns that are sometimes treated as plural, along with explanations of the context in which this usage is appropriate.

Sentence Explanation
The data is inconclusive. “Data” is treated as a singular mass noun referring to a body of information.
The data are being analyzed by different teams. “Data” is treated as plural, referring to individual data points or datasets.
The police are investigating the crime. “Police” is always plural, referring to the police officers.
The equipment is state-of-the-art. “Equipment” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The equipment are being transported to the new lab. “Equipment” treated as plural, referring to individual pieces of equipment.
The furniture is arranged nicely in the living room. “Furniture” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The furniture are being delivered today. “Furniture” is treated as plural, referring to individual pieces.
The clothing is on sale this week. “Clothing” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The clothing are being donated to charity. “Clothing” is treated as plural, referring to individual items.
The information is confidential. “Information” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The pieces of information are helpful. Using “pieces of” allows for plural usage, referring to particular items.
The news is reporting an accident. “News” is treated as a singular mass noun, even though it looks plural.
The latest news are concerning. Less common, but possible, referring to multiple news items.
The research is going well. “Research” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The research projects are varied and interesting. “Research projects” is plural, referring to specific projects.
The advice is helpful. “Advice” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The pieces of advice are useful. Using “pieces of” allows for plural usage, referring to individual tips.
The money is in the bank. “Money” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The lottery money are being distributed to the winners. “Money” is treated as plural, referring to separate amounts.
The luggage is heavy. “Luggage” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The items of luggage are being inspected. “Items of luggage” is plural, referring to individual bags.
The jewelry is beautiful. “Jewelry” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The pieces of jewelry are exquisite. “Pieces of jewelry” is plural, referring to individual items.
The traffic is terrible today. “Traffic” is treated as a singular mass noun.
The streams of traffic are moving slowly. “Streams of traffic” is plural, referring to multiple flows.

Distances, Amounts, and Periods of Time Examples

The table below showcases how distances, amounts of money, and periods of time can take a plural verb when the emphasis is on the individual units rather than the total sum.

Sentence Explanation
Ten miles is a long distance to walk. “Ten miles” is considered a single distance.
Ten miles were covered in record time. “Ten miles” emphasizes the individual miles covered.
Five dollars is the price of the coffee. “Five dollars” is considered a single price.
Five dollars are scattered on the table. “Five dollars” emphasizes the individual dollar bills.
Two years is a long time to wait. “Two years” is considered a single period of time.
Two years have passed since the event. “Two years” emphasizes the individual years.
Fifty pounds is a reasonable weight. “Fifty pounds” is considered a single weight.
Fifty pounds were found in the attic. “Fifty pounds” emphasizes the individual pounds.
One hundred dollars is too much to spend on that. “One hundred dollars” is considered one amount.
One hundred dollars are missing from my wallet. “One hundred dollars” emphasizes the individual dollars.
Five minutes is all I need. “Five minutes” is considered a single period.
Five minutes have already gone by! “Five minutes” emphasizes the individual minutes.
Twenty gallons is a lot of gas. “Twenty gallons” is considered a single amount.
Twenty gallons were needed to fill the tank. “Twenty gallons” emphasizes the individual gallons.
Three weeks is a short vacation. “Three weeks” is considered a single period.
Three weeks have been and gone since the last time I saw you. “Three weeks” emphasizes the individual weeks.
Seventy years is a long life. “Seventy years” is considered a single lifetime.
Seventy years have passed since the end of the war. “Seventy years” emphasizes the individual years.
A million dollars is a lot of money. “A million dollars” is considered a large amount.
A million dollars were stolen in the heist. “A million dollars” emphasizes the individual dollars.
One thousand feet is the height of the building. “One thousand feet” is considered a single height.
One thousand feet were measured for the foundation. “One thousand feet” emphasizes the individual feet.
Sixty seconds is all I need. “Sixty seconds” is considered a single period.
Sixty seconds have already elapsed. “Sixty seconds” emphasizes the individual seconds.
Two hundred pages is a long book. “Two hundred pages” is considered a single length.
Two hundred pages were read in one sitting. “Two hundred pages” emphasizes the individual pages.

Titles of Works Examples

This table provides examples of titles of works and the verb agreement they take.

Sentence Explanation
“Great Expectations” is a classic novel. The title refers to a single work.
“The Simpsons” is a popular TV show. The title refers to a single TV show.
“Gulliver’s Travels” is a satirical masterpiece. The title refers to a single book.
“Little Women” is a beloved story. The title refers to a single story.
“Star Wars” is a groundbreaking film franchise. The title refers to a single film franchise.
“Friends” is a popular sitcom. The title refers to a single TV show.
“The Lord of the Rings” is an epic fantasy novel. The title refers to a single novel.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is a captivating book. The title refers to a single book.
“Romeo and Juliet” is a tragic play. The title refers to a single play.
“Pride and Prejudice” is a famous novel. The title refers to a single novel.
“Moby Dick” is a classic American novel. The title refers to a single novel.
“War and Peace” is a lengthy historical novel. The title refers to a single novel.
“The Sound of Music” is a popular musical. The title refers to a single musical.
“Les Misérables” is a powerful story. The title refers to a single story.
“The Arabian Nights” is a collection of stories. The title refers to a single collection (though some might argue for “are” if emphasizing individual stories).

Sentences Starting with “There” Examples

The following table illustrates sentences that begin with “there” and the correct verb agreement based on the actual subject.

Sentence Explanation
There is a cat on the roof. “Cat” is singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are cats on the roof. “Cats” is plural, so the verb is “are.”
There was a problem with the system. “Problem” is singular, so the verb is “was.”
There were several problems with the system. “Problems” is plural, so the verb is “were.”
There is no milk in the fridge. “Milk” is uncountable and treated as singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are no apples left. “Apples” is plural, so the verb is “are.”
There is a good reason to be happy. “Reason” is singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are many reasons to be happy. “Reasons” is plural, so the verb is “are.”
There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. “Meeting” is singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are several meetings scheduled for tomorrow. “Meetings” is plural, so the verb is “are.”
There is an issue that needs to be addressed. “Issue” is singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are several issues that need to be addressed. “Issues” is plural, so the verb is “are.”
There is a solution to the problem. “Solution” is singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are many solutions to the problem. “Solutions” is plural, so the verb is “are.”
There is a book on the table. “Book” is singular, so the verb is “is.”
There are books on the table. “Books” is plural, so the verb is “are.”

Relative Clauses and “One of” Examples

This table illustrates the verb agreement in relative clauses that follow the phrase “one of.”

Sentence Explanation
She is one of the students who are always prepared. “Are” agrees with “students,” not “one.”
He is one of the athletes who have won multiple awards. “Have” agrees with “athletes,” not “one.”
This is one of the books that are on the bestseller list. “Are” agrees with “books,” not “one.”
She is one of the teachers who are dedicated to their students. “Are” agrees with “teachers,” not “one.”
He is one of the musicians who have influenced a generation. “Have” agrees with “musicians,” not “one.”
This is one of the problems that are causing concern. “Are” agrees with “problems,” not “one.”
She is one of the people who are always willing to help. “Are” agrees with “people,” not “one.”
He is one of the scientists who have made significant discoveries. “Have” agrees with “scientists,” not “one.”
This is one of the reasons why I am happy. “Are” agrees with “reasons,” not “one.”
She is one of the few who understand the situation. “Understand” agrees with “few,” not “one.”

Usage Rules

The primary rule governing subject-verb agreement is that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. However, when dealing with collective nouns, the choice between singular and plural verbs depends on the context.

If the collective noun is acting as a single, unified entity, use a singular verb. If the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb.

It’s also important to consider regional variations, as British English often uses plural verbs with collective nouns more frequently than American English.

For distances, amounts, and periods of time, use a singular verb if the total is considered a single unit, and a plural verb if the emphasis is on the individual units that make up the total. When a sentence begins with “there,” ensure that the verb agrees with the actual subject that follows the verb.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using a singular verb with a collective noun when the members of the group are acting individually. For example, incorrectly saying “The team is arguing” when the intention is to convey that the individual members are arguing.

Another mistake is failing to make the verb agree with the actual subject in sentences that begin with “there,” such as saying “There is many reasons” instead of “There are many reasons.” Additionally, learners often incorrectly use a singular verb with relative clauses that follow “one of,” such as saying “She is one of the students who is always prepared” instead of “She is one of the students who are always prepared.”

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect Correct Explanation
The team is arguing about the strategy. The team are arguing about the strategy. “Team” members acting individually.
There is many reasons to be happy. There are many reasons to be happy. Verb agrees with “reasons.”
She is one of the students who is always prepared. She is one of the students who are always prepared. Verb agrees with “students.”
Five dollars are enough to buy a coffee. Five dollars is enough to buy a coffee. “Five dollars” is a single unit of money.
The committee are deciding on the budget. The committee is deciding on the budget. “Committee” acting as a unified unit.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Collective Nouns

Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:

Question Answer
1. The jury (is/are) still deliberating. is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
2. The family (is/are) planning a trip to Europe. is
3. The team (is/are) practicing every day. is
4. The committee (has/have) made their decision. has/have (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
5. The staff (is/are) working overtime to meet the deadline. is
6. The audience (was/were) applauding loudly. was
7. The government (is/are) debating the new law. is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
8. The class (is/are) taking their seats. is/are (Both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
9. The group (has/have) decided to eat pizza. has
10. The band (is/are) tuning their instruments. are

Exercise 2: Uncountable Nouns

Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:

Question Answer
1. The data (is/are) being analyzed. is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
2. The police (is/are) investigating the case. are
3. The equipment (is/are) ready for use. is
4. The furniture (is/are) being delivered today. is
5. The clothing (is/are) on sale. is
6. The information (is/are) confidential. is
7. The news (is/are) reporting a major event. is
8. The research (is/are) ongoing. is
9. The advice (is/are) helpful. is
10. The money (is/are) in the bank. is

Exercise 3: Distances, Amounts, and Periods of Time

Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:

Question Answer
1. Ten miles (is/are) a long walk. is
2. Five dollars (is/are) all I have. is
3. Two years (is/are) a long time to wait. is
4. Fifty pounds (is/are) the weight limit. is
5. One hundred dollars (is/are) missing. is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
6. Five minutes (is/are) enough time. is
7. Twenty gallons (is/are) needed to fill the tank. is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
8. Three weeks (is/are) a short vacation. is
9. Seventy years (is/are) a long life. is
10. A million dollars (is/are) a lot of money. is

Exercise 4: Mixed Practice

Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:

Question Answer
1. The family (is/are) deciding on their vacation plans.

is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)

2. There (is/are) many reasons to learn grammar. are
3. “The Grapes of Wrath” (is/are) a famous novel. is
4. She is one of the students who (is/are) always on time. are
5. The data (shows/show) a clear trend. shows/show (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
6. The police (has/have) arrived at the scene. have
7. Fifty dollars (is/are) too much to pay for that shirt. is
8. The committee (is/are) arguing about the details. is/are (both are acceptable, depending on the emphasis)
9. There (was/were) several options available. were
10. He is one of the few who (understands/understand) the problem. understand

Advanced Topics

Delving deeper into the nuances of subject-verb agreement reveals even more complex scenarios. One such scenario involves sentences with inverted subjects, where the subject appears after the verb.

In these cases, it’s crucial to identify the actual subject and ensure that the verb agrees with it. Another advanced topic involves compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor.” When the subjects are of different numbers (singular and plural), the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Understanding these advanced rules requires a solid foundation in basic subject-verb agreement principles and careful attention to sentence structure.

Furthermore, the use of subjunctive mood can also affect verb agreement, particularly in “if” clauses expressing hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations. In these cases, the verb “were” is often used regardless of the number of the subject (e.g., “If I were you…”).

These advanced topics are essential for mastering formal writing and achieving a high level of grammatical accuracy.

FAQ

Q: How do I know when to use a singular or plural verb with a collective noun?
A: Consider whether the collective noun is acting as a single, unified unit or whether the individual members are acting separately. If it’s a single unit, use a singular verb. If the members are acting individually, use a plural verb.
Q: What if a sentence starts with “there”?
A: The verb should agree with the actual subject that follows the verb, not with “there.”
Q: Does British English differ in its usage of collective nouns?
A: Yes, British English tends to use plural verbs with collective nouns more frequently than American English, even when the group is acting as a single unit.
Q: What about titles of books or movies?
A: Titles of works generally take a singular verb, even if the title is plural in form.
Q: How do I handle “one of” phrases?
A: The verb in the relative clause should agree with the noun that “one” refers to, which is usually plural.
Q: What if I’m still unsure after considering the rules?
A: When in doubt, consider rewriting the sentence to avoid ambiguity. You can also consult a grammar reference or style guide for further clarification.

Conclusion

Mastering the nuances of subject-verb agreement, especially when singular subjects take plural verbs, is a critical step towards achieving clarity and precision in writing. By understanding the different categories of nouns and expressions that can trigger this phenomenon, such as collective nouns, uncountable nouns, distances, amounts, periods of time, titles of works, and sentences starting with “there,” you can confidently navigate these grammatical complexities.

Remember to consider the context and intended meaning of the sentence, and when in doubt, don’t hesitate to consult a grammar resource or seek feedback on your writing. With practice and attention to detail, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically sound and effectively convey your message.

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