AN INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH GRAMMAR & LANGUAGE
Many were invited but a few have Example:
̄ ̄ Half of the workers are on strike today.
Subject Plural Verb ̄ ̄
attended the ceremony. Plural Noun Plural Verb
12. After – Both of / A few of / Few of / Many of, etc., t But, the exception is – If the noun is uncountable, it
the noun or pronoun is plural, which is followed by a plural is always singular and the verb is also singular.
verb. Example:
Examples: Three fourths of the majority has been elected.
Many of the visitors are European. ̄ ̄
̄ ̄ Singular Noun Singular verb
Noun Plural Verb 17. After – More than one, there is always a singular
noun followed by singular verb.
13. After – Many / A great many / A good many, etc.,
the noun is always plural, which is followed by a plural Example:
verb. More than one hall is booked.
Example: ̄ ̄
A great many girls are swimming in the pool. Sing. Noun Sing. Verb
̄ ̄ But, there is an exception.
t Look at the construction: After – More + Plural Noun
Noun Plural verb
+ than one, the verb is always plural.
But there is an exception.
Example:
t After ‘Many a’, both the noun and verb in a sentence
More workers than one are late.
are always singular.
Example: ̄ ̄
Many a song is soothing. Plural Noun Plural Verb
18. If There / It is used as introductory subjects in a
̄ ̄
sentence, then the verb with There is decided considering
Sing. Noun Sing. Verb the usage of number and person of the noun that comes
14. After – A number of / A large number, etc. the noun after There.
is plural, which is followed by a plural verb. Example:
Examples: There was a tiger in the village.
A number of students have taken the test. ̄ ̄
̄ ̄ Singular verb Singular noun
Plural Noun Plural Verb There were two tigers in the village.
But, there is an exception. ̄ ̄
After – The number of, however, the noun is plural, the
Plural Verb Plural Noun
verb is always singular.
19. If with the construction: Numeral + Plural Noun,
Examples:
there is any definite unit / distance / weight / height, etc.,
The number of low-floor buses is increasing in Delhi. then the verb is always singular.
̄ ̄ Example:
Plural Singular Ten thousand rupees is a good amount.
Noun Verb ̄ ̄
15. After – Some / Some of / All / All of / Enough / Numerical Plural noun Singular verb
Most / Most of / A great deal of / Lots of / A lot of / Plenty
Five tons of rice is enough for my family.
of, etc., if there is a countable noun, it is always a plural
one and also the verb is plural. ̄ ̄
Examples: Numerical Plural noun Singular verb
All men are mortal. But there is an exception.
t If it refers to different units in the construction of
̄ ̄
Numerical Adjective + Plural Noun, then it takes a plural
Plural Noun Plural Verb
verb.
Lots of actors were present in the show.
Example:
̄ ̄ Fifty thousand rupees have been spent for the
Plural Noun Plural Verb
̄ ̄
16. After – Half of / One third of / Two thirds of /
Numerical Plural noun Plural verb
Three fourths of, etc. if the noun is countable, it is always a
plural and also the verb is plural. construction.
SEE–13