28. Agreement of the predicate with the simple subject. Pronouns as subjects.

Agreement between the subject and the predicate verb refers to the way the verb has a form appropriate to the number and person of the subject. So the first step is to identify the subject of the sentence.

1. If a sentence has a simple subject, we should recall the grammatical characteristics of the word used as the subject. A singular noun-subject is followed by a singular verb, and a plural noun-subject is followed by a plural verb. Various cases of irregular and invariable nouns should be memorised and observed. Care should be taken with nouns having different grammatical features in English and Russian. Compare: The gate was closed. — Bopoтa были закрыты. The gates were closed. In case of a non-nounal subject, when it is expressed by an adjective, adverb, numeral, non-finite forms of the verb, etc., the verb is singular.

Two is a company, three is a crowd.

However, substantivised adjectives can take a singular or plural verb depending on their type and meaning.

The wiser go their own way. [group of people] The unknown has always fascinated him. [abstract notion]

2. If a sentence has a phrasal subject expressed by a word with some dependent words or phrases, the form of the verb is predetermined by the grammatical characteristics of the headword. So we should find the head word first, recall its grammatical characteristics and use a corresponding verb form. Many leading members of the opposition party have tried to justify the decision.

When the subject is expressed by a prepositional phrase (i.e. a phrase opening with a preposition) or a phrase with a non-finite form of the verb as the head-word, the predicate is always singular.

After the meeting is the time to speak. To be humming a tune is a usual thing for her.

3. In case the subject is expressed by a predicative complex, a complex subject, the verb is always singular. For him to defend a woman is the matter of honour. ,

4. The subject may also be expressed by a subordinate clause, a clausal subject, then the verb tends to be singular in most cases. However, the meaning of the subordinate clause should

be taken into account.

SIMPLE SUBJECT

Some nouns are invariable both in form and in number meaning.

l. Invariable singular nouns take a singular predicate. Here belong nouns denoting various fluids: water, oil; solids: ice, bread, paper; gases: air, smoke; particles: dirt, grass, hair, rice; abstract notions: advice, evidence, information, progress, news; whole groups made of similar objects: cash, change, money, clothing, equipment, furniture, luggage; names of games: billiards, darts; names of diseases: measles, mumps. Care should be taken with: (1) nouns having different grammatical features in English , and in Russian, these should be memorized. Compare:

The ink has stained the desk. (2) possible shifts in meanings making some nouns countable and able of plural forms. Compare: Experience is the main requirement for this job.

"[knowledge and skill] Last summer experiences have influenced his attitude to life. [impressions, events, activities]

2. Invariable plural nouns take a plural verb. Here belong nouns denoting groups of individuals (nouns of multitude): cattle, clergy, gentry, police; objects consisting of two parts: braces, glasses, pants, scales, scissors, shorts, tongs; some proper nouns: the Hebrides, the Highlands, the Midlands and a miscellaneous group of nouns most of which end in ~s: antics, archives, ashes, belongings+clothes, contents, earnings, goods, outskirts, particulars (= information), premises (= building), riches, savings, surroundings, thanks, wages, etc.

The company's earnings have increased for the last five years.

Note that plural names of countries usually have singular verbs and pronouns:

However, a plural verb can be used, especially when geographical characteristics are implied:

The Netherlands are based on reclaimed coastal shallows and lagoons.

• Some nouns ending in -s have the same form for singular and plural meanings which can be understood from the context. These can be used either with the singular or plural verb: crossroads, headquarters, means, series, species, whereabouts, works, etc. Compare:

This crossroads is always very dangerous. The crossroads in the city centre aw always busy.

• Some nouns with a singular form can take singular or plural meanings in different contexts and are used with a singular or plural verb. These include collective nouns: audience, class, club, college, committee, community, company, crowd, department, electorate, enemy, family, firm, generation, government, group, jury, orchestra, population, press, public, school, staff, team, university, etc. as well as the names of specific organizations such as the Bank of England, the BBC, IBM, Sony. A single verb is used when the institution or organization is seen as a whole body, and a plural verb if it is viewed as a collection of individuals.

The committee has postponed a decision on the new road. (have is also possible)

The committee usually raise their hands to vote 'Yes'. The team like their headquarters.

Often either singular or plural form of the verb can be used with very little difference in meaning, although in formal writing (such as academic writing) it is more common to use a singular verb. Sony has announced rising profits for the third year running.

• The same holds true for nouns ending in ~ics: when denoting academic disciplines or spheres of human activity they are used with a singular verb, in other meanings — with a plural verb. Compare: Economics has only recently been recognized as a scientific study.

[an academic discipline]

The economics behind their politics are unreasonable. [specific instances of economic facts such as calculations,).

PRONOUN SUBJECT

1. If the quantity is expressed by a universal pronoun (everybody, everyone, either, everything, each), negative pronoun (nobody, no one, neither), indefinite pronoun (someone, somebody, anybody, anything) or pronominal phrases — the verb is singular.

Every one of the group is present.

Care should be taken if a phrasal subject has an of-phrase following the pronoun, like in any of, each of, either of, neither of. In formal written English (such as academic writing) a singular verb is preferable1.

Idon't think any of them knows where the money is hidden. Neither of the French athletes has won this year.

The subject with the pronoun none can be followed either by a singular (which is considered formal and rarely used) or a plural verb (which is considered regular, though slightly informal).

None of the group have/has come.

2. The pronoun both as well as phrases with it is logically (and grammatically) plural.

Which of these is yours? — Both are_ mine. Both of the bags are mine.

3. The form of the verb in case of a subject containing or expressed by the universal all or interrogative pronouns: who, what, which, as well as those used as connectors, depends on

what is implied or named in the previous part of the sentence and is, in fact, the notional subject for the predicate verb.

Compare:

The girl who lives next door is my sister. The girls who live next door are my sisters.

The same holds true for sentences with the emphatic construction It is ... that/who. Compare:

It is I who are wrong. — It is me who is wrong.