Kimmy Schemy

(continuation of Subject and Verb Agreement III)

• Expressions of time, money and distance are singular and take the form of the verb without s*.

Example

Twenty four hours is all it takes for tetanus to spread.

Three thousand pesos is not enough to buy new lap top.

Three miles a day seems like a short distance to walk to get fit.

*Unless if preceded by ‘the’

Example

The four hundred pesos were found inside her purse.

• The expression ‘The number of’ refers to a specific number, therefore singular and must take the form of the verb with s. (The same applies to ‘the variety of..’)

Example

The number of churchgoers is decreasing.

• The expression ‘A number of’ refers to a group of unspecified number of people, animals, or objects, therefore plural and must take the form of the verb without s. (The same applies to ‘a variety of..’)

Example

A number of hikers camp to this spot every year.

• If the subject is member of a group described by a clause, the verb in the clause must agree with a plural subject.

Example

Joy is one of those nurses who stay at the hospital during the New Years Eve.

• If the subject is the only member of group described by a clause, the verb in the clause must agree with a singular subject.

Example

Jay is the only one of the tricycle drivers who gives exact change.