The general rule is: “The expression of the number is followed by a singular verb, while the expression is followed by a number by a plural.” Your sentences are correct and your mnemonic is good. For more information, visit our blog The Number vs. A Number. We use singular verbs with collective nouns, if we consider the name as a single impersonal unit. This means that each member of the group does the same thing. There are no individually different actions within the group. Each member acts in negotiation and the unit itself is used in an impersonal context. Let`s take the following example: Note that Rule 6 states the “subject and verb contract”: “Generally use a plural verb with two or more subjects if they are related.” There are exceptions to this rule when subjects or names form in the sentence a unity or unity, a collective idea or a unity of the idea. (They called it “the same” but it may be too restrictive.) For example, we have seen where a singular verb is used with two themes, which are used by “peanut butter and jelly is my favorite snack,” “Profit and loss is important for any business” and “spaghetti and meatballs fit well with garlic bread.” In these cases, the interpretation of “unity of the idea” essentially belongs to the author of the sentence. In the face of this, either “loss of life and serious injury in the sky is unacceptable” or “loss of life and serious injury in the sky is unacceptable.” If we use a mass substrate (such as “furniture” that usually uses a singular verb) but we are talking about two or more units, should we use a singular or plural verb? – Two pieces of furniture are available.
– Two pieces of furniture are available. I know I shouldn`t disturb, but it drives me crazy to hear collective names associated with plural verbs. When I read Wikipedia, I see where “Led Zeppelin was an English rock band… That sounds fake. The fact that the group was British should not dictate that English rules should apply. I would never say, “Coca-Cola is working on a new formula.” Coca-Cola is a collective noun, so we must use a singular verb, as in “Coca-Cola IS is working on a new formula.” In contemporary times, names and verbs form plurals in opposite ways: in our opinion, common sense tells us that if the subject is one, we must use a singular verb. As we said in our blog Rules and Preferences, “we are all entitled to our preferences – even our prejudices – but explain them, everyone has to live, cross a line.” The newspaper article is written correctly.
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