Two singular subjects related by or OR do not require a singular verb. The subjects will be either nouns or pronouns. If Majority/Minority refers to a specific group of people, use a plural verb: in the composition of the sentence, one of the most important writing guidelines refers to the relationship between the subjects and the verbs of a sentence. In formal scientific writing, this subject-verb relationship is specified by a basic subject-verb rule and 23 special case rules. This blog post lists and illustrates these rules. Most of the rocket`s fuel is used in this acceleration phase. The high maximum speed is required to ensure that the released payload remains in orbit. — Ingo Jahn, The Conversation (Australia), p. 25. June 2018 The wire and pole fence allows the popular Vietnamese pot-bellied pig to enjoy most of the farm around his family`s home and is strong and large enough to prevent it from breaking through. — The Left Hand Valley Courier (Niwot, Colorado), Apr 20, 2018 Miami returns most of its talents to offensive skill positions, with eight starters from 2017. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, June 25, 2018.

Singular indefinite pronouns – like everyone, everyone, everyone, that is, everyone, everyone, everyone, everyone, nobody, nobody, someone and someone – require singular verbs. In the subject-verb correspondence, singular and non-enumerating subjects are treated in the same way: they correspond to the last -s of the verb. It is easy to combine with the majority or minority near each counting name and have a clear idea of what is represented. At least fifty-one senators out of 100 constitute the majority of these senators. The same was true for five out of nine judges. If thirteen or more of the two dozen donuts contain jelly, it can be said that the majority of donuts contain jelly. Finally, sometimes it`s important to look at a sentence property called mood. We distinguish several moods, but the three that are relevant to the match are subjunctive and imperative. The word in front of whom, "Charge Nurse", is a thematic supplement.

Since "Charge Nurse" is singular, the sentence requires the singular of the written verb. Subject-verb correspondence is usually quite simple in English. Consult each manual for the general rules. However, topics that introduce the idea of quantity require additional rules of thumb. Here are some that are useful for academic writing. Rule 7 Or, either – or, neither, nor only – but also: Composite subject with singular and plural subject But in the second example, the individual members of the team are dressed individually. The single team does not wear a large uniform. Click on page 2 below. Do you redo the sentence? Honestly, I would try not to have to say these good things for one simple reason: the majority think the plural is a mistake. I would respect the rule, but I would fix the preposition sentence to make it pluralistic.

So I would write that the majority of readers think that the plural is a mistake. To get rid of the problem completely, you can easily rewrite the sentence with a plural noun. While the following is true, you need to redefine the sentence: Rule of thumb. A singular subject (elle, bill, auto) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), while a plural subject takes a plural verb. The first example expresses a desire, not a fact; Therefore, what we usually consider plural is used with the singular. (Technically, this is the singular theme of the object fixed in the subjunctive: it was Friday.) Normally, it would look terrible. However, in the second example, when a question is formulated, the spirit of the subjunctive is true. If the subject of a sentence consists of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use the plural verb. Here, the verb should absolutely keep the plural, because the courts did not come together and acted as a group, as a whole, as a collective noun.

Instead, they acted individually and gradually created a majority opinion over time. While this is probably a surprise, the collective noun adopts the verblage plural even without the prepositional phrase in the plural (of surgeons or courts). Thus, the following sentences from The Oxford Guide to Writing on page 768 show the correct use. The subject-verb correspondence, although seemingly complex, is quite easy to understand once you analyze the sentence and rush it over its components to understand the intended meaning. There is often confusion with generic terms such as committee, majority, etc. Examples of these sentences are or begin with a) simple prepositions (e.B. next to it, including and with); (b) complex prepositions (e.B.B. with, as well as complementarily and simultaneously; and (c) accompanied by.

Ignore these expressions if you decide to use a plate in the singular or plural. Section 4. Grammarians differ in their opinion on whether the majority and the minority are singular, plural or collective. Citing Fowler (1965), Celce-Murcia and Larsen Freeman (1999) note that majority and minority have three meanings: Although correct, you should rearrange the sentence: Prepositional sentences that follow indefinite pronouns usually have no effect on the number of verbs (see rule 15). Rule 14 Non-essential sentences between subject and verb A verb must match its subject in person and in number. Similarly, subjunctive verbs (those of suggestions, requests, and requests) do not mark the subject-verb correspondence. Note that subjunctive verbs occur only in sets of dependent nouns, the type that usually begins with them. Note: The subjunctive is losing ground in spoken English, but should still be used in formal speeches and writings. Section 3. The verb in one or both or none or the sentence is not the closest to the noun or pronoun.

Like some words and most words, a pre-modifiable sentence like the majority itself is neither singular nor plural. The most irregular of these verbs is be, which, unlike any other English verb, has five distinct forms of correspondence: three for the present and two for the past. In most cases, adjectival prepositional sentences that lie between a subject and a verb have no effect on the subject-verb correspondence. Majority and minority are words that can refer to an abstract quantity or to a number of countable things or people. With an abstract meaning, they assume a singular agreement; with some meaning, they can assume either singular or plural. Subjunctive mood – defined. The subjunctive is used to describe conditions that contradict the facts or are unlikely. Examples of subjunctive mood are most often found in a sentence that begins with the word if. The subjunctive mood is also found in the clauses that follow a verb that expresses a doubt, a wish, a regret, a request, a request or a suggestion.

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