THE GOVERNMENT

Mass nouns and count nouns. Count nouns refer to things that can be counted (drops of water, grains of sand)
while mass nouns refer to things that cannot (water, sand). A count noun takes a singular verb if it refers to one
item (A drop of water fell from the ceiling), a plural verb if more (Drops of water fall from the ceiling). A mass noun
always takes a singular verb (The water is cold, but the sand is hot).
Intervening words and phrases. Words that intervene between subject and verb do not affect the number of the verb.
Phrases such as “along with,” “in addition to,” “except,” “together with,” and “as well as” do not change a singular subject.
NO:
YES:
The president, along with his aides, were welcomed by the Ambassadors.
The president, along with his aides, was welcomed by the ambassadors.
One of. “One of” is always followed by a plural noun, and if it is followed by a relative clause (which begins with
“who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which” and which describes the noun it comes after), the verb in the relative
clause must be plural as well.
NO:
YES:
One of the representative is late.
One of the representatives is late.
Compound subjects. A compound subject, one formed by two or more nouns joined by “and”, usually requires
a plural verb.
NO:
YES:
The governor and the vice governor was traveling together.
The governor and the vice governor were traveling together.
The names of companies that appear to be made of more than one entity take singular verbs:
Standard & Poor’s is not revising its rating.
But certain compound subjects, often clichés, are considered single units and therefore take singular verbs (The
long and short of it is we were right all along). Compound subjects qualified by “each” and “every” also take singular
verbs: “Every pencil, notepad, and folder was distributed.”
Each, either, everyone, everybody, neither, nobody, and someone take singular verbs.
Each candidate is invited to join the debate.
Either time slot is fine with the advertisers.
Everyone involved has been supportive.
Either . . . or / neither . . . nor. Nouns used with these words are alternative subjects, not compound subjects. The verb
agrees with the subject nearest to it: “Neither the players nor the coach is ready” or “Neither the coach nor the players are
ready.”
Linking verbs. A linking verb (“to be” and its varieties) agrees with the number of its subject.
NO:
YES:
What is needed are more experienced employees.
What is needed is more experienced employees.
STYLE GUIDE FOR THE GOVERNMENT
25