Mastering Singular Subjects in Grammar
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Agreement-Singular Subjects
Important Information
•
Some nouns—especially those ending in -s —
although plural in form, are singular in number and
in meaning: news, measles, mumps, calculus,
rickets, billiards, molasses, dizziness, and other –
ness ending nouns. These nouns require singular
verb forms.
EXAMPLE: No news
is
good news.
A Bit More Info
•
Certain words ending in -ics are singular when they
refer to principles, a system, or a field of study. In
these instances, the noun takes a plural verb.
However, when these nouns refer to individual
practice or application or activities, they generally
take a plural verb: statistics, physics, mathematics,
electronics, economics, politics, aerodynamics,
mechanics, calisthenics, etc.
•
SINGULAR: Statistics is a required course for doctoral
students.
•
PLURAL: The statistics on child abuse are alarming.
Examples
•
Statistics
is
not my favorite subject.
(In this sentence, statistics indicates a field of
study.)
•
Alternatively: Statistics
show
that divorce is a
common practice in our society.
(In this sentence, statistics is plural—multiple data
about divorce.)
More Examples
•
Certain nouns with plural forms and no singular
counterpart are nearly always used with plural
verbs: riches, grits, eyeglasses, manners, wages,
pliers, whereabouts, jeans, binoculars, tweezers,
people, scissors, tidings, trousers, minutes, tights,
clothes.
•
Example: The scissors are lying on the table.
•
Example: Membership dues are $100.00 a year.
That’s all, folks!
•
This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar
Mini-Lesson Series
•
Lessons adapted from
Real Good Grammar, Too
by
Mamie Webb Hixon
•
To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s
website
where you can
take a self-scoring quiz
corresponding to this lesson
Learn about singular subjects in grammar, including nouns that are singular in form and meaning despite appearing plural, such as statistics versus statistics, and how to correctly pair them with singular or plural verbs. Understand how words like measles, economics, and eyeglasses affect subject-verb agreement. Enhance your grammar skills with practical examples and expert insights from the UWF Writing Lab.
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Presentation Transcript
Writing Lab Agreement-Singular Subjects
Important Information Some nouns especially those ending in -s although plural in form, are singular in number and in meaning: news, measles, mumps, calculus, rickets, billiards, molasses, dizziness, and other ness ending nouns. These nouns require singular verb forms. EXAMPLE: No news is good news.
A Bit More Info Certain words ending in -ics are singular when they refer to principles, a system, or a field of study. In these instances, the noun takes a plural verb. However, when these nouns refer to individual practice or application or activities, they generally take a plural verb: statistics, physics, mathematics, electronics, economics, politics, aerodynamics, mechanics, calisthenics, etc. SINGULAR: Statistics is a required course for doctoral students. PLURAL: The statistics on child abuse are alarming.
Examples Statistics is not my favorite subject. (In this sentence, statistics indicates a field of study.) Alternatively: Statistics show that divorce is a common practice in our society. (In this sentence, statistics is plural multiple data about divorce.)
More Examples Certain nouns with plural forms and no singular counterpart are nearly always used with plural verbs: riches, grits, eyeglasses, manners, wages, pliers, whereabouts, jeans, binoculars, tweezers, people, scissors, tidings, trousers, minutes, tights, clothes. Example: The scissors are lying on the table. Example: Membership dues are $100.00 a year.
Thats all, folks! This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon To find out more, visit the Writing Lab s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson
