Subject-verb Agreement, Using Expressions Of Quantity, By Dr. Shadia

Subject-Verb Agreement, Using Expressions of Quantity By: Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

http://www.kau.edu.sa/SBANJER http://wwwdrshadiabanjar.blogspot.com

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Expressions of Quantity Definition

An expression of quantity is a word or group of words that tells the amount of something. It answers the questions, “How much?” or “How many?”

Example • There are lots of things to do in a big company. Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

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Explanation Expressions of quantity: • modify a noun. • describe the amount, or number, of something. • are used with count nouns or with non-count nouns. are used to express: a positive idea: “I read all the inbox messages.” or a negative idea: “I read none of the inbox messages.” Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

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SINGULAR VERB Some of the book is good.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

PLURAL VERB Some of the books are good.

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In most expressions of quantity, the verb is determined by the noun or pronoun that follows of. SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB • Two-third of the money Two-third of the is mine. pennies are mine. • A lot of the • A lot of my friends equipment are here. is new.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

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EXCEPTION: one of, each of, and every one of. EXCEPTION: one of, each of, and every one of take singular verbs. • One of my friend is here. • Each of my friend is here. • Every one of my friend is here. •One of •Each of

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Plural noun = singular verb

•Every one of

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NONE

SINGULAR VERB None of the boys is here.

PLURAL VERB None of the boys are here.

(informal)

• Subjects with none of are considered singular in formal English. Plural verbs are often used in informal English.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

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1. The number of students in the class is fifteen. 2. A number of students were late for class.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

•The number is a subject in (1) •In (2): A number of =an expression of quantity = ‘a lot of’. •It is followed by a plural noun and a plural verb.

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Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar

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