This is the most clear set of rules i have found so far. There are 2 missing so i'll edit my post later.
Agreement is governed by certain rules that must be memorized to ensure proper usage.
Some Basic Rules of Agreement
1.) A singular subject has a singular verb and a singular pronoun reference. (e.g. Bob likes his new book =>Bob=sing., likes=sing., his=sing.)
REMEMBER TO TAKE OUT THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES. THEY ARE NOT THE SUBJECT!
2.) A plural subject has a plural verb and a plural pronoun reference. (e.g., The boys like their new books> boys=plural, like=plural, their=plural)
3.) The pronouns: either, neither, each, and those that end in [-one or body-] (anyone, no one, someone, anybody, nobody, somebody, ect.) are nearly always singular, take singular verbs, and singular pronouns)
e.g., Everyone of the boys on the team wants to achieve his goals> REMOVE THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES: of the boys, on the team.
Subject= Everyone=singular>wants=singular>his= singular.
e.g. neither of the boys is certain of his goals
REMOVE THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE of the boys
subject=neither= singular > is= singular >his=singular
4.) The pronouns--some, all, many, several, both-- are plural and take plural verbs and plural pronoun references.
eg, some of the girls are tired and wish to go home
all of the students want to finish their work
5.) neither...nor/ either...or rule
When using the construct of neither...nor or either...or, you must use the noun/pronoun that follows the nor/ or to determine the agreement
neither phil nor the boys wish to go to their cabins
neither the boys nor phil wants to go to his cabin
6.) Titles of poems or plays or musical works of art are viewed as singular even if they have plural references.
eg. wings of the dove is a famous novel by henry james
seven brides for seven brothers was an interesting musical
7.) Units of measurement, distances, sums of money, time units, and food units are usually singular when conceived of as a unit.
e.g. Ten dollars is not a large allowance today
Fifty miles was once a large distance to cover in a day
Bacon and eggs is a breakfast meal
8.) Proportion pronouns (1/2 or 3/4) use the prepositional phrase to determine agreement
e.g. Half of the cookies are filled with chocolate
(of the cookies=plural, are=plural)
Half of the pie is filled with apples.
(pie= singular, is= singular)
9.) Distinction between A number and The Number
A number = plural
The number= singluar
10.) The phrase MANY A is singluar
11.) Subjects ending in ING are singluar
Agreement is governed by certain rules that must be memorized to ensure proper usage.
Some Basic Rules of Agreement
1.) A singular subject has a singular verb and a singular pronoun reference. (e.g. Bob likes his new book =>Bob=sing., likes=sing., his=sing.)
REMEMBER TO TAKE OUT THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES. THEY ARE NOT THE SUBJECT!
2.) A plural subject has a plural verb and a plural pronoun reference. (e.g., The boys like their new books> boys=plural, like=plural, their=plural)
3.) The pronouns: either, neither, each, and those that end in [-one or body-] (anyone, no one, someone, anybody, nobody, somebody, ect.) are nearly always singular, take singular verbs, and singular pronouns)
e.g., Everyone of the boys on the team wants to achieve his goals> REMOVE THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES: of the boys, on the team.
Subject= Everyone=singular>wants=singular>his= singular.
e.g. neither of the boys is certain of his goals
REMOVE THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE of the boys
subject=neither= singular > is= singular >his=singular
4.) The pronouns--some, all, many, several, both-- are plural and take plural verbs and plural pronoun references.
eg, some of the girls are tired and wish to go home
all of the students want to finish their work
5.) neither...nor/ either...or rule
When using the construct of neither...nor or either...or, you must use the noun/pronoun that follows the nor/ or to determine the agreement
neither phil nor the boys wish to go to their cabins
neither the boys nor phil wants to go to his cabin
6.) Titles of poems or plays or musical works of art are viewed as singular even if they have plural references.
eg. wings of the dove is a famous novel by henry james
seven brides for seven brothers was an interesting musical
7.) Units of measurement, distances, sums of money, time units, and food units are usually singular when conceived of as a unit.
e.g. Ten dollars is not a large allowance today
Fifty miles was once a large distance to cover in a day
Bacon and eggs is a breakfast meal
8.) Proportion pronouns (1/2 or 3/4) use the prepositional phrase to determine agreement
e.g. Half of the cookies are filled with chocolate
(of the cookies=plural, are=plural)
Half of the pie is filled with apples.
(pie= singular, is= singular)
9.) Distinction between A number and The Number
A number = plural
The number= singluar
10.) The phrase MANY A is singluar
11.) Subjects ending in ING are singluar
