Rule 7:
None is a singular subject when it is used alone. When it is used with a prepositional phrase starting with of, the subject can be both plural and singular.
| None + of the + singular noun + singular verb |
| None + of the + plural noun + plural verb |
Example:
- None of the money has been used.
- None of the teacher wants failure for students.
- None of the students want to fail.
- None of the bottles are clean enough to keep water.
Note: No + plural noun takes plural verbs.
Example: no men are hungry now.
Rule 8:
Either . . . or, neither . . . nor, or, and nor take two nouns before and after them. The nouns placed after these conjunctions are regarded as the subjects of the sentence. The nouns placed prior to the words or and nor have no effect on the verbs.
Example:
- Neither Alex nor his brothers are going to the party.
- Either John and Alex or I am doing it.
- I or Robert opens the door when someone comes.
- Neither the boys nor we are responsible for it.
Rule 9:
The sentences beginning with here/there are different in structure. In this case, the subject comes after the verb.
| Here/There + verb + subject . . . . . . |
Example:
- Here comes(verb) the lion(subject).
- There is a pond near the house.
- There are some candies on the table.
- Here is the document for your car.
Rule 10:
Collective nouns are usually regarded as singular subjects.
Examples:
- The committee has decided to postpone the game.
- The family was ecstatic by the news.
- The crowd enjoys the excitement in the game.
- Twenty dollars is not a lot of money. (Here, the noun is plural, but the subject is regarded as a collective noun.)
Note: The following phrases are also regarded as collective nouns and thus singular subjects.
| Flock of birds/sheep, herd of cattle, pack of dogs/wolves, school of fish, pride of lions |
Example:
- A flock of sheep always moves together.
- A pack of wolves is approaching towards the herd of cattle.
- A school of fish always hides from the big fishes.
Rule 11:
A number of + noun is a plural subject, and it takes a plural verb. The number of + noun is a singular subject, and it takes a singular verb.
Example:
- A number of dancers are coming to the party. (Indefinite number of dancers – plural)
- The number of dancers coming to the party is 12. (Definite number of dancers – singular)
- A number of people prefer cricket to football.
- The number of days in this month is 28.
Rule 12:
If a gerund or an infinitive comes as a subject, the verb will always be singular.
Example:
- Swimming is a good exercise.
- Walking is a good habit.
- Eating healthy food makes you healthy.
- To err is human.
Rule 13:
If the + an adjective appears as the subject of a sentence, it will be plural.
Example:
- The pious are loved by God.
- The industrious are always not successful.
- The best do not lack integrity.