Search results for 'tag:Singular verbs tag:Uncountable nouns' matching tags 'Singular verbs' and 'Uncountable nouns'

Subject verb agreement

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:55:38 GMT

Please kindly indicate the correct answers for the following questions and justifications to the answers.

1. They do these things so quietly that nobody is ever sure of what (is/ are) happening.

2. Various kinds of food (has /have) been already been prepared. Come and help yourself to (it/them).

I suppose food is an uncountable noun, so i assume singular verb is appropriate. But i aint sure about the following pronoun.

Need the answers urgently. Thank you.

Awence

Re: News

Liveinjapan — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:05:39 GMT

Hi Amy

>However, even when it means "many pieces of news', it is used with a singular verb.

Do you mean 'a three pieces of news are reported' is incorrect? If so, this is a little different to an uncountable noun, isn't it? Because we can use both an uncountable noun and a plural verb with the words like 'three pieces of',right?

LiJ

Edit: After checking on Google, I understand what you mean. I think news works as an uncountable noun. Thanks.
I should've read your comment carefully :You cannot count 'news' unless you say something such as 'a piece of news. Thanks

Re: News

Yoong Liat — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:34:40 GMT

Feebs11 wrote:
News is a plural noun always used with a singular verb, meaning information about recent events or happenings, especially as reported by newspapers, periodicals, radio, or television.

Hi Feebs

I was taught that 'news' is an uncountable noun.

Re: ''Majority of Moroccans are Arabs.'' ''Majority of Moroccans is Arabs.'

Maya2 — Sat, 12 May 2007 14:59:51 GMT

Selecter wrote:
Maya2 wrote:

Nona is right

Majority has plural value

It's not always true.
A/The majority of + plural noun = plural verb (are)
The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb (is)

Moroccan is a countable noun

The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb -- I was not referring to these cases, Selecter.

Best wishes,

Maya

Re: ''Majority of Moroccans are Arabs.'' ''Majority of Moroccans is Arabs.'

Clive — Sat, 12 May 2007 14:54:46 GMT

Hi guys,

The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb (is)

This structure is somewhat controversial. My dictionary comments that 'Some people feel that majority in this sense should only be used with countable nouns', although it goes on to recognize that we often in fact say things like 'the majority of the work'.

If you want to avoid this issue, you could say 'most of the work', 'most of the sugar'.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: ''Majority of Moroccans are Arabs.'' ''Majority of Moroccans is Arabs.'

Selecter — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:03:56 GMT

Maya2 wrote:
Nona is right

Majority has plural value

It's not always true.
A/The majority of + plural noun = plural verb (are)
The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb (is)

Re: pile of ash / ashes

Yoong Liat — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:18:54 GMT

Believer wrote:

Hi, Yoong Liat

I was looking at my Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary for the word 'ash' and it had a notation among other notations something like this. Can you tell me if that tells anything about its countability. I am confused about the "also N in pl" part. What does that mean?

I'm quoting from the same dictionary.

Ash (uncountable noun) is (singular verb) the grey or black powdery substance that is left after something is burnt. You can also refer to it as ashes. (plural noun)

He brushes the cigarette ash (uncountable noun) from his sleeves.

A dead man's ashes (plural noun) are (plural verb) their remains after their body has been burnt.

So whether the word is uncountable or plural depends on which word you use: 'ash' (uncountable), 'ashes' (plural).

I hope you are no longer confused.

Best regards

Re: Which is right?

Yoong Liat — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 05:42:21 GMT

Hiops wrote:
1.Why do you think this is right?
Why you think this is right?

2. Thre is a lot of books on the shelf.
Thre are a lot of books on the shelf.

The phrase 'a lot of' means 'many'. That's why you should say 'There are a lot of ..."

But if you use 'a lot of' with an uncountable noun, then you should use a singular verb. For example, There is a lot of sand on the floor.

Re: two questions on board

Clive — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:49:26 GMT

Hi,

1. Which one is right or are they both right?

Everything went smooth.

Everything went smoothly.

In your example, you need the adverbial form. 'Smoothly' modifies 'went', ie it describes the 'going', not 'everything'.

However, consider 'When I fell and hit my head, everything went black'. Here' 'black' is an adjective describing 'everything'. Everything became black.

2. When puttng the word "more" in front of uncountable nouns, is it always the case that the verbs have to be in singular? I always try to avoid saying 'always', but generally speaking, yes. However, it's not because of the use of 'more'. It's because such nouns require a singular verb.

More furniture means more money.OK

More equipment means more money.OK

How about the word "some" in front of uncountable nouns, is it the same case of having to put singular verbs? Same comment as above.

Some rice needs not be given. The use of ('need' + a negative) expresses a necessity or obligation. The form 'need' is used, not 'needs'. This is true for both uncountable and countable nouns, eg This chair need not be painted.

Some time is needed. OK

Best wishes, Clive

two questions on board

Believer — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:00:04 GMT

1. Which one is right or are they both right?

Everything went smooth.

Everything went smoothly.

2. When puttng the word "more" in front of uncountable nouns, is it always the case that the verbs have to be in singular?

More furniture means more money.

More equipment means more money.

How about the word "some" in front of uncountable nouns, is it the same case of having to put singular verbs?

Some rice needs not be given.

Some time is needed.