http://www.englishforums.com/search/pro.htm?q=tag%3aSingularSearch results for 'tag:Singular' matching tag 'Singular'en-USXMOD (Build: 3616.28671)http://www.englishforums.com/English/NoneNobody/lqzcp/post.htm#998863Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:26:29 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:998863trysbHi Alex Here's a good description of the kinds of indefinite pronouns and the verb forms they require: http://www.grammaruntied.com/blog/?p=319 In the first sentence i would say neither of them is her boyfriend. Or you could say "Neither one is her boyfriend." The problem would come if there were three potential boyfriends. You can't say neither because that only applies when you are talking about two. So, in that case you would say "None of them is her boyfriend." Note that even though the sentence is about several people, it takes a singular verb--'none is'. You can remember this easier, i think, if you turn the sentence around and say "Her boyfriend is none of them." Then it is...http://www.englishforums.com/English/HavingRespectDevotionNatural-World/lpbln/post.htm#992956Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:33:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992956avangiNo. Each adjective takes its own (different) preposition. When you switch to the verbals, you have new problems. They don't work in parallel. You have respect for X. You can devote the next four hours to homework. You can devote yourself to improving. You can be devoted to improving. (You can respect the world, but you can't devote the world.) "It" refers to the entire bolded participial phrase. I don't understand where you want to put the "they." The simple subject is "having," which is singular. You might suspect the verb "need" is plural, but it's actually subjunctive singular. "Money and power are intoxicating." (compound subject, plural verb) ...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AllowOrAllows/2/lxphb/Post.htm#992399Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:46:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992399yoong liatI have never seen 'police' used with a singular verb. I am a mud as far as English is concerned. My understanding is, " police" is one of those words considered correct in both plural or singula r, depending on the writer's delivery and context in which he makes his point. The police are the official organization that is responsible for making sure that people obey the law. The police are also looking for a second car... Police say they have arrested twenty people following the disturbances... (Collins Cobuild Dictionary)http://www.englishforums.com/English/WasOrWere/lxlzx/post.htm#991016Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:27:21 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:991016kooyeenI think it's because the verb agrees with "all I wanted", and for some reason that needs a singular verb. However, sometimes you might find that someone also uses a plural verb if a plural noun follows: All I needed was/were two speakers. I don't have any technical explanations to give you though.http://www.englishforums.com/English/S/lkncz/post.htm#971716Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:05:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:971716califjim's : Curtis's. All singular nouns follow the same rule. Add 's. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ConanObrien/lkbrq/post.htm#968190Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:59:01 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:968190pleasehelpSingular verb as in 'it'? But the show itself is also a singular entity so the verb should be singular too. Correct? Thanks.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ConanObrien/lkbrq/post.htm#968175Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:38:46 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:968175dimsumexpressYes! The show is treated as a 3rd person so singular verb (has) is called for.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularPronouns/ljkrb/post.htm#965934Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:21:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:965934cool breezeI don't like the use of it in your first sentence. I would say: I bet after a few visits you'll find those kind of places boring. Kind is an irregular plural in that expression according to many authoritative grammarians such as Otto Jespersen. The only grammatically exceptional thing about other is that when a countable singular noun is used with it and it requires an indefinite article (an), the article is not a separate word. Examples of other: I need an other car . I need other book s . Some other boy s had seen her. Another boy had seen her. John and Paul are here. Where are the other boys? CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Soles/ljwww/post.htm#965406Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:42:17 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:965406avangiThe subject of the sentence is "thing," so you use the singular verb "is." The only things I like are the cars and the girls. The only things I like about it are the car and the girl. The only thing I like about it is the girls.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfHasAndHave/ljglj/post.htm#965036Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:21:46 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:965036ter"Has is used after a singular noun.." e.g. She/He/It has a pencil. We/They/You/I have an orange.http://www.englishforums.com/English/NoDollarWastedNothing/ljvlx/post.htm#964385Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:55:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:964385cliveHi, Could I say: “ None of the dollars was wasted.”? You can, but it's not very natural. What do you think about these examples? Do they sound natural? 1. No repairer can repair this washing machine. 2. No repairer will be able to repair this washing machine. The repetition of 'repair' is unnatural. Say 'no-one can . . . ' I have to make up a few sentences with “No + singular noun”. Could you give me some examples with “No + singular noun”? I see 'No + singular' as usually giving emphasis. eg No student is to run in the classroom. eg No man is an island. (famous quotation) Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/NoDollarWastedNothing/ljvlx/post.htm#964384Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:51:48 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:964384cliveHi, Could I say: “ None of the dollars was wasted.”? What do you think about these examples? Do they sound natural? 1. No repairer can repair this washing machine. 2. No repairer will be able to repair this washing machine. I have to make up a few sentences with “No + singular noun”. Could you give me some examples with “No + singular noun”?http://www.englishforums.com/English/NoDollarWastedNothing/ljvlx/post.htm#964335Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:40:16 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:964335alex+Thank you, Clive. Could I say: “ None of the dollars was wasted.”? What do you think about these examples? Do they sound natural? 1. No repairer can repair this washing machine. 2. No repairer will be able to repair this washing machine. I have to make up a few sentences with “No + singular noun”. Could you give me some examples with “No + singular noun”?http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularNouns/ljcmr/post.htm#963743Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:51:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:963743cliveHi, 1 sheep, 10 sheep Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ProperUseOfIsOrAre/ljcgx/post.htm#963714Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:11:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:963714avangiIf you're going to use the plural verb, I'd repeat the article: "a book and a workbook." "Book and workbook" are often considered a unit, and (as they say) if you think of them in that way, you may use the singular verb.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheLeastOfVsTheFewestOf/ljrck/post.htm#963061Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:56:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:963061califjimIs this sentence grammaticaly correct? Your problems are the least of my concern. Yes. It's correct. But here you have least used with a singular noun ( concern ), not a plural, so I don't see the point of your prefatory remarks, though I suppose you intended to write the more idiomatic concern s . In any case, least here means "least important". CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PossesiveSingularNoun/lwpjz/post.htm#962544Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:46:44 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:962544philip's The car's engine is filthy.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AnotherIsVsAreQuestion/lwpdl/post.htm#962445Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:55:41 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:962445ivanhrThe first sentence is correct. When used as a subject 'each' takes singular verbs.http://www.englishforums.com/English/MoreThanOne/lwxgp/post.htm#962350Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:53:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:962350ivanhrI would say that 'more than one' requires a singular noun so the third sentence is incorrect (in my view). In the first sentence 'more than one subject' is the subject of the sentence (in singular) so it should be correct. With regard to the second sentence ,it is possible that the noun phrase 'more than one subject' be regarded as a plural entity so I cannot rule it out as incorrect. Words such as none, any, all, most , more can take either singular or plural verbs depending on the context.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIsOrAreWithNeither/lwjmh/post.htm#960900Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:14:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:960900coloradayAfter neither of+noun/pronoun ,we use a singular verb in  a formal style. - Neither of my sisters is married. In an informal style,you can use a plural verb. - Neither of my sisters are married. And your question:Neither can be used alone without a noun or pronoun ,if the meaning is clear.Here neither is used instead of 'neither of them ' and as I said,in a formal style a singular verb is proper.http://www.englishforums.com/English/JestJests/2/lgmvb/Post.htm#953411Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:16:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:953411avangiI'm saying that in this sentence the uncountable noun "jest" is singular, and therefore calls for a singular verb, "is." It's like saying, "Your foolishness is wearing me down." Many nouns have both a countable and an uncountable use. You wouldn't use a plural verb with the uncountable noun. But with the countable use, of course it's possible to have a count of "one." In this case, the singular verb is appropriate.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatMeaningPurposeValueEducation/ldpxd/post.htm#949550Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:21:22 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:949550avangiSometimes it helps to convert a question to a declarative sentence, as you try to figure out the tense of the verb. Ask yourself what the subject of the clause is. Are there more than one? Is the subject singular or plural? The tree is what color(s). The subject is "tree" (singular), not "colors" (plural); so it takes a singular verb, is. What colors are in the tree? I know this is tricky. The tree is no longer the subject of the clause. "Tree" is object of the preposition, "in." In this case, "colors" (plural) is the subject of the clause, so we need the plural verb. You can ask, "What colors are in the tree?" but you can't ask, "What colors are the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularNouns/lgrpv/post.htm#948482Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:14:01 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:948482cliveHi, for this qusetion i would have to use and apostrophe s how would i write out money belonging to mickey Mickey's money You are interested in using an apostrophe correctly, yet you do not seem interested in using capital letters and other punctuation correctly. That seems strange to me. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Compound/lzxhq/post.htmMon, 19 Oct 2009 21:26:01 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:947477anonymouswhy compound subjects joined by or sometimes require a singular verb??http://www.englishforums.com/English/Any/lzcwx/post.htmFri, 16 Oct 2009 08:48:20 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:944024maanumpAny Can I use 'Are' in the below question? or should it be 'Is' irrespective of a plural or singular noun? Are there any wafers?http://www.englishforums.com/English/Any/lzcwn/post.htmFri, 16 Oct 2009 08:47:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:944023maanumpAny Can I use 'Are' in the below question? or should it be 'Is' irrespective of a plural or singular noun? Are there any wafers?http://www.englishforums.com/English/Public/lvqrm/post.htm#943033Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:48:21 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:943033anonymousPleasehelp: Many usage experts explain that "public" takes a singular verb in American English; a plural verb in British English. You will also notice this with other words, such as "government."http://www.englishforums.com/English/TenseHelp/lvlwh/post.htm#941732Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:16:16 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:941732pleasehelpWhy is have left unchanged? He, she, it is still requires the singular verb which is doesn't.http://www.englishforums.com/English/EveryOneOfEachOf/lvgxg/post.htm#940714Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:45:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:940714dokterjokkebrokHi I'd say that the only difference lies in that ' each ' is usually used when you think of members of a group seperately , and ' every' when the members are thought of collectively . ! Often, however, they're used without much difference in meaning. Each refers to 2 or more than 2 persons or things Every always refers to 3 or more persons or things. __ e.g. EACH On Christmas eve, there was a present for each of the children. (every child got his own present) In turn, each person shook the mayor's hand. (the emphasis is on that those people all shook the mayor's hand individually). Of course it logical that they shook the mayor's hand individually, but the stress is on that they were all...http://www.englishforums.com/English/DoesntDont/2/lvbjl/Post.htm#939750Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:51:57 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939750pleasehelpI appreciate your input but please don't give it unless you know it is grammatically correct. This is excellent advice for banu82in. When a most of expression is the subject, the verb agrees with the word after most of . Most of the butter is gone. Most of Canada is north of the U.S. Most of that pie has been eaten. Most of this paper has got wet. Most of the paint was unusable. Most of America believes in ghosts. Most of the space was still available when we arrived. Most of the meal was composed of starchy foods. Most of the children are ready. Most of the documents were stolen. Most of their relatives have already left on vacation. Most of the ducklings have survived. Most of our vacations are spent in New England. Most of...http://www.englishforums.com/English/DoesntDont/2/lvbjl/Post.htm#939745Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:48:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939745califjimI appreciate your input but please don't give it unless you know it is grammatically correct. This is excellent advice for banu82in. When a most of expression is the subject, the verb agrees with the word after most of . Most of the butter is gone. Most of Canada is north of the U.S. Most of that pie has been eaten. Most of this paper has got wet. Most of the paint was unusable. Most of America believes in ghosts. Most of the space was still available when we arrived. Most of the meal was composed of starchy foods. Most of the children are ready. Most of the documents were stolen. Most of their relatives have already left on vacation. Most of the ducklings have survived. Most of our vacations are spent in New England. Most of...http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOrSingular/lvdrx/post.htm#939374Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:30:47 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939374anonymousClarencetsang: If you have decided that you wish to start your sentence with "My favorite food...," you have two options: (1) You may follow the "rule" -- "food" is singular. So use the singular verb (My favorite food is bananas) . If you have a very strict teacher, you may want to follow this rule. (2) Most native speakers probably prefer to say "My favorite food are bananas." They feel that it sounds more natural. It is certainly preferred in conversation. The word "bananas" causes them to think of "are" rather than "is." It is, as always, your decision as to which sentence you wish to use.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOrSingularNouns/lvcwh/post.htm#939246Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:34:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939246mister micawberUse an uncountable noun in that structure; for plural foods, reverse the structure: ' Beans are my favorite food.'http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOrSingularNouns/lvcll/post.htm#939211Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:09:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939211mister micawberMy favourite food is cake. Noodles are my favorite food.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOrSingularNouns/lvcll/post.htmMon, 12 Oct 2009 11:12:54 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939159anonymousIs 'My favourite food is cakes' or 'My favourite food is cake' correct? Moreover, do we use 'they are' or 'it is' to refer to noodles?http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOrSingularNouns/lvcwh/post.htmMon, 12 Oct 2009 10:15:15 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:939104anonymousShould we use a plural or a singualar noun in the sentence 'My favourite food is __'?http://www.englishforums.com/English/Nights/lvrbp/post.htm#938466Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:14:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:938466yankeeI would expect the singular version to be more commonly used. However, as Clive has already mentioned, both versions are used. And it is perfectly correct to use the singular verb. Clearly, "three to four nights" can be viewed as a single period of time . You could also make the period of time more specific and say this: "Is 4 nights enough for Vegas?" Here is another example: - Three days is much too long to go without sleep. This sort of use of a singular verb with a plural subject also happens when people view a pair of things as a single unit rather than as separate, individual things. For example: ~ Fish and chips is a culinary delight that Britain is famous for. You're welcome.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SentenceFix/2/lddpg/Post.htm#935335Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:07:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:935335avangiOversized bracelets, oversized earrings, oversizing of accessories, in general, is very popular now. Why is it is and not are? You can make a case for a plural verb, but no one would ever use it. Three things are popular: bracelets, earrings, and oversizing. You have a compound subject comprising three nouns. In general, this would always call for a plural verb. The fact that two of them are plural and one is singular has nothing to do with it. The fact that two of them are physical objects and one is a practice has nothing to do with it. The problem is that the first two are very short, and the last one is much longer, by comparison - "oversizing of accessories, in general." By the time you've digested this last...http://www.englishforums.com/English/SentenceFix/lddpg/post.htm#934992Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:12:21 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:934992banu82inThe use of "is" in the given sentence is correct. Avangi has provided the explanation to this:"Oversizing" is a singular noun, and simply overpowers "bracelets and earrings" with the longer phrase. Note that Avangi has rephrased the sentence when using the verb "are." Oversizing of accessories in general, and oversizing of earrings in particular, are very popular now. And in the last para Oversizing of accessories in general, and oversizing of earrings in particular, are very popular now.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SentenceFix/lddpg/post.htm#934985Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:934985pleasehelpVery good question. A native speaker would avoid this kind of mixing of forms in the same compound subject. Oversizing of accessories in general, and oversizing of earrings in particular, are very popular now. This would be fine. "Oversizing" is a singular noun, and simply overpowers "bracelets and earrings" with the longer phrase. I think it's a question of balance, and of parallel structure - also proximity to the verb. If you set off the phrase as an appositive, eg., with dashes, the plural verb would fly: Oversized bracelets, oversized earrings - oversizing of accessories in general - are very popular now. Note, no comma after "accessories." So Avangi was wrong? It should be...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Ps3Servers/lcplx/post.htm#933153Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:07:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:933153pleasehelpSorry, I meant "confuse(r)"... has is the singular verb and Wii is the singular subject etc..http://www.englishforums.com/English/Ps3Servers/lcplx/post.htm#933120Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:36:53 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:933120mister micawberI believer that you are the confused one. The rule is simple: either singular subject & singular verb , or plural subject & plural verb .http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatPluralsTheseQuestions/lbmcl/post.htm#927314Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:05:17 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:927314khoffThere are no plurals in your questions. Are you supposed to change the singular nouns to plural nouns? Also, in #3 "this" is misspelled and "I" should be capitalized.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SubjectAndVerbAgreement/lrmvl/post.htm#922683Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:40:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:922683anonymousThe boy chooses. (singular subject; singular verb - with "s") The policeman chooses. The cheerleader chooses. The boys choose. (plural subject; plural verb - no "s".) The policemen choose. The cheerleaders choose. Exception for first person singular: I , You I choose. You choose.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WealthNationsAdamSmith/lrcjp/post.htm#920499Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:33:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:920499califjimThe greatest improvements in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment, with which it is anywhere directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labour. I'd say: which = skill, dexterity, and judgment it = labour Labour is directed with skill, dexterity, and judgment. After the antecedent of which is located, there are only two singular nouns left that could be the antecedent of it , and part belongs to the same constituent as skill, dexterity, and judgment , so that is not very likely. It seems to me that the antecedent has to be labour . Note the old-style punctuation -- a restrictive clause set off by a comma. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/HasOrHave/kqzjx/post.htm#916053Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:11:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:916053mister micawberOver xx percent of the pancreas has to be destroyed. Your guideline is correct. The pancreas is a single organ and 'has' is a singular verb– a perfect example of your guideline.http://www.englishforums.com/English/HasOrHave/kqzjx/post.htmThu, 24 Sep 2009 02:28:51 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:915430anonymousHi. I think when we use the kind of phrase that involves the use of something like "xx percent of some noun," we should pay attention to whether the "some noun" is a singular noun or plural noun to decide whether to use a singular or plural verb. Having said that, what could be the reason for this sentence having the verb "has"? Over xx percent of pancreas has to be destroyed.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularVerb/kqvvb/post.htm#915048Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:30:17 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:915048grammar geekTry an online crossword puzzle dictionary. You can enter that information and see what pops up.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularVerb/kqvvb/post.htmWed, 23 Sep 2009 20:25:38 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:915043anonymouswhat is a singular verb that starts with the letter S has 15 letters the 10th letter is a U?http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOrSingular/kphkz/post.htm#911119Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:57:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:911119grammar geekIt takes a singular verb. Everyone is tired. Everybody has gone home.