MAKING SUBJECTS AND VERBS AGREEPart IV: SVA with nouns expressing numerical concepts
• Nouns expressing fractions and percentages ExamplesFractions and percentages are singular or plural depending on the referent. The verb agrees with the noun after the fraction or percent.
• One-third of the college's fund-raising goal has been met.
• Sixty percent of the students are passing the course.
• Two-thirds of the semester is over already.
• Seventy-five percent of the next semester's courses are filled.
• Nouns of time, distance, weight, and measurement ExamplesA noun expressing a single unit of time, distance, or weight is understood as singular.
• 26.22 miles is the length of a marathon.
• The three blocks to campus is actually a long walk for Eric's grandfather.
• One hundred pounds is considered an unhealthy weight for a five-foot two-inch woman.
• Two years is considered a long engagement.
A noun expressing separate units of time, distance, or weight is understood as plural.
• Only four miles of highway have been paved so far.
• Twenty-six hours have passed since the Trans have heard from their daughter.
• Mathematical statements of subtraction and division and addition and multiplication ExamplesSubtraction and division statements require singular verbs.
• Twelve minus seven equals five.
• Twelve divided by four equals three.
Multiplication and addition statements most often are expressed with singular verbs.
• Four times four equals (OR equal) sixteen.
• Seven plus eight equals fifteen.
• Singular and plural meanings of the nouns majority and minority ExamplesMajority and Minority are singular in meaning and take a singular verb when they refer to a group of people or things as a whole or as a group acting or thinking in unison.
• The majority in the House of Representatives intends to elect Nancy Pelosi as its leader (Speaker of the House).
Note that when majority is singular, the pronoun must agree in number with the noun it denotes (in this case, House of Representatives).
Majority and Minority are used in the plural sense to denote that members within a group are acting individually.
• The majority of congressmen and women in the House of Representatives have cast their ballot for Nancy Pelosi.
Note that majority is used in the plural sense. The pronoun (their) must agree in number with the noun it denotes (congressmen and women acting individually in casting their vote).
• Nouns preceded by the number of or the percentage of and a number of and a percentage of ExamplesThe definite article THE makes a noun specific. Therefore, the number of and the percentage of refer to one specific number. The verb following the phrase must be singular.
By contrast, a number of and a percentage of are always plural in meaning and the verb that follows must be plural.
• The number of democratic senators and congressmen has increased since the last election.
A number of them are freshmen, or new members serving their first term.
The percentage of voters casting ballots in the last election was higher than in the previous election.
A large percentage of voters were disgusted with the Bush administration.
Read the sentences below and determine if the sense of the subject is singular or plural. Then choose the verb that agrees in number with the subject.