{"id":369,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:59","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&p=369"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:17:28","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:17:28","slug":"20-1-making-sure-subject-and-verbs-agree","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/20-1-making-sure-subject-and-verbs-agree\/","title":{"raw":"20.1 Making Sure Subject and Verbs Agree","rendered":"20.1 Making Sure Subject and Verbs Agree"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
\r\n

20.1<\/span> Making Sure Subject and Verbs Agree<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n\t
  1. Recognize typical subject\/verb agreement.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Learn how to match the subject and verb when other words come between them, how to work with compound subjects, how to use titles involving collective subjects, and how to use indefinite subjects.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Learn the rules for matching subjects coming after the verb, relative pronouns, gerunds, infinitives, and singular subjects that look plural.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nSubjects and verbs must agree in two ways: number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). These two general rules hold through all the different subject\/verb guidelines. As a rule, plural subjects end in -s<\/em> and plural verbs do not end in -s<\/em>. In this section, the noun is in bold<\/strong> and the verb is in italic<\/em>.\r\n
    \r\n

    Pairing Verbs with Singular and Plural Subjects<\/h2>\r\nMany sentences have subjects and verbs that appear side by side. The subjects in these sentences are often clearly singular or plural, and they clearly determine the needed verb form.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Typical singular subject followed directly by the verb<\/td>\r\nThe US government<\/strong> establishes<\/em> national parks on an ongoing basis, such as the six parks formed in Alaska in 1980.<\/td>\r\nDon\u2019t get confused into thinking that a singular subject needs a verb without an -s<\/em>. The plural version would be \u201cgovernments establish.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Typical plural subject followed directly by the verb<\/td>\r\nNational parks<\/strong> provide<\/em> wonderful opportunities for people to commune with nature.<\/td>\r\nThe subject \u201cparks\u201d is plural and it agrees with \u201cprovide.\u201d The singular version would be \u201cpark provides.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Matching Subjects and Verbs That Are Separated by Other Words<\/h2>\r\nWhen words fall between a subject and verb, the singular\/plural state of the subject is sometimes confusing. Always make sure you are matching the verb to the subject and not to one of the words between the two.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Words fall between subject and verb<\/td>\r\nSix national parks<\/strong> in Alaska were formed<\/em> in 1980.<\/td>\r\nMistaking \u201cAlaska\u201d for the subject would make it seem as if the verb should be \u201cwas formed.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Joining Plural Verbs to Compound or Double Subjects<\/h2>\r\nCompound subjects joined by the word \u201cand\u201d are plural since there is more than one of them. Double subjects joined by \u201cor\u201d or \u201cnor\u201d match to a verb based on the status of the subject closest to the verb.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Compound subject with plural verb<\/td>\r\nRock and grass<\/strong> combine<\/em> to make Badlands National Park amazing.<\/td>\r\n\u201cRock and grass\u201d is a plural subject formed by two singular words. Don\u2019t get confused and use \u201ccombines\u201d for the verb because the individual subjects are singular.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Noncompound double subject functioning as a singular subject<\/td>\r\nDepending on where you look, rock or grass<\/strong> dominates<\/em> your view.<\/td>\r\nSince the subjects are joined by \u201cor,\u201d they do not automatically become plural because there are two of them.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Pairing Singular Verbs with Titles and Collective Subjects<\/h2>\r\nRegardless of the singular or plural nature of the words within a title, the title is considered one unit; thus it is a singular noun. Similarly, collective nouns<\/span><\/span>, such as \u201ccommittee,\u201d function as singular nouns regardless of how many people or things might actually make up the collective noun.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Title with singular verb<\/td>\r\nEverglades National Park<\/strong> preserves<\/em> thousands of acres of wetlands.<\/td>\r\nThis title isn\u2019t plural just because word \u201cEverglades\u201d is plural. The park is one thing and, therefore, is singular.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Collective subject with singular verb<\/td>\r\nThe team<\/strong> meets<\/em> twice a year at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park.<\/td>\r\nAlthough you know that the \u201cteam\u201d is made up of more than one person, you must view \u201cteam\u201d as a single unit.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Teaming Singular Verbs with Indefinite Subjects<\/h2>\r\nWhether an indefinite subject is singular or plural depends on whether the indefinite noun<\/span><\/span> has a singular or plural meaning on its own or based on the rest of the sentence.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Indefinite subject with singular meaning on its own<\/td>\r\nEach<\/strong> of the fossils in the Petrified Forest National Park tells<\/em> a story.<\/td>\r\nEven though there is more than one fossil, the word \u201ceach\u201d is always singular. Many indefinite subjects are always singular. Examples include another, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everything, neither, nobody, one, other, and something.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Indefinite subject with singular meaning based on the rest of the sentence<\/td>\r\nAll of Arizona<\/strong> was<\/em> once located in a tropical region.<\/td>\r\nSince \u201cArizona\u201d is singular, \u201call\u201d is singular. Some indefinite subjects can be singular or plural. Examples include all, any, more, most, none, some, and such.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Indefinite subject with plural meaning based on the rest of the sentence<\/td>\r\nAll the petrified trees<\/strong> in the Petrified Forest National Park are<\/em> millions of years old.<\/td>\r\nSince \u201ctrees\u201d is plural, \u201call\u201d is plural.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Indefinite subject with plural meaning on its own<\/td>\r\nBoth<\/strong> scrubland and rock formations are<\/em> common in desert settings.<\/td>\r\nSome indefinite subjects are always plural. Examples include both, few, fewer, many, others, several, and they.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Choosing Verbs When the Subject Comes after the Verb<\/h2>\r\nThe standard sentence format in English presents the subject before the verb. In reversed sentences, you need to find the subject and then make sure it matches the verb. To find the subject, fill the following blank with the verb and then ask the question of yourself: who or what _____?\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Subject comes after the verb<\/td>\r\nThroughout Mammoth Cave National Park run<\/em> passages<\/strong> covering over 367 miles.<\/td>\r\nWho or what runs? The passages do. Even though you might be tempted to think \u201cMammoth Cave National Park\u201d is the subject, it is not doing the action of the verb. Since \u201cpassages\u201d is plural, it must match up to a plural verb.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Deciding If Relative Pronouns Take a Singular or Plural Verb<\/h2>\r\nRelative pronouns<\/span><\/span>, such as who<\/em>, which<\/em>, that<\/em>, and one of<\/em>, are singular or plural based on the pronoun\u2019s antecedent<\/span><\/span>. You have to look at the antecedent of the relative clause to know whether to use a singular or plural verb.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Relative pronoun that is singular<\/td>\r\nThe Organ<\/strong>, which<\/strong> rises up seven hundred feet, is<\/em> so named for its resemblance to a pipe organ.<\/td>\r\nThe word \u201corgan\u201d is singular and is the antecedent for \u201cwhich.\u201d So the word \u201cwhich\u201d is also singular. The word \u201cwhich\u201d is the subject for the relative clause \u201cwhich rises up seven hundred feet\u201d and, therefore, requires a singular verb (rises).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Relative pronoun that is plural<\/td>\r\nArches National Park in Utah offers sites<\/strong> that mesmerize<\/em> the most skeptical people.<\/td>\r\nThe word \u201csites\u201d is plural and is the antecedent for \u201cthat.\u201d The word \u201cthat\u201d is the subject for the relative clause \u201cthat mesmerize the most skeptical people.\u201d So \u201cthat\u201d is plural in this case and requires a plural verb (mesmerize).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Matching Singular Subjects to Gerunds and Infinitives<\/h2>\r\nGerunds<\/span><\/span> are nouns formed by adding -ing<\/em> to a verb. Gerunds can combine with other words to form gerund phrases, which function as subjects in sentences. Gerund phrases are always considered singular.\r\n\r\nInfinitives<\/span><\/span> are the \u201cto\u201d forms of verbs, such as to run<\/em> and to sing<\/em>. Infinitives can be joined with other words to form an infinitive phrase. These phrases can serve as the subject of a sentence. Like gerund phrases, infinitive phrases are always singular.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Gerund phrase as singular subject<\/td>\r\nVeering<\/strong> off the paths is<\/em> not recommended<\/em> on the steep hills of Acadia National Park.<\/td>\r\nDon\u2019t be fooled by the fact that \u201cpaths\u201d is plural. The subject of this sentence is the whole gerund phrase, which is considered to be singular. So a singular verb is needed.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Infinitive phrase as singular subject<\/td>\r\nTo restore<\/strong> Acadia National Park after the 1947 fire was<\/em> a Rockefeller family mission.<\/td>\r\nAll words in an infinitive phrase join together to create a singular subject.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Recognizing Singular Subjects That Look Plural and Then Choosing a Verb<\/h2>\r\nSome subjects appear plural when they are actually singular. Some of these same subjects are plural in certain situations, so you have to pay close attention to the whole sentence.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Situation<\/th>\r\nExample<\/th>\r\nWatch Out For<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Singular subjects that look plural<\/td>\r\nPolitics<\/strong> plays<\/em> a part in determining which areas are named as national parks.<\/td>\r\nMany subjects are or can be singular, but look plural, such as athletics<\/em>, mathematics<\/em>, mumps<\/em>, physics<\/em>, politics<\/em>, statistics<\/em>, and news<\/em>. Take care when matching verbs to these subjects.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Subject that looks plural, and is sometimes singular and sometimes plural<\/td>\r\nState and national politics<\/strong> sway<\/em> Congress during national park designation talks.<\/td>\r\nJust because words such as \u201cpolitics\u201d can be singular doesn\u2019t mean that they always are. In this case, the adjectives \u201cstate and national\u201d clarify that different sources of politics are involved (\u201cstate politics\u201d and \u201cnational politics\u201d), so \u201cpolitics\u201d is plural in this case.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n
      \r\n\t
    • A typical English sentence has a clear singular or plural subject followed by an equally clear singular or plural verb.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Take extra care to match subjects and verbs when other words come between them by not using those extra words in your determination.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Compound subjects always use a plural verb.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Titles and collective subjects always require singular verbs.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Indefinite subjects are singular or plural based on their own meaning, the rest of the sentence, or both.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • When a subject comes after the verb, locate the subject by identifying who or what completed the action. Then apply the appropriate subject\/verb agreement guideline.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Use antecedents to decide whether relative pronouns are singular or plural. Then match them to verbs.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Gerunds and infinitives are always singular and take singular verbs.<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Some subjects look plural whether they are singular or plural. With such subjects, take special care when making sure the subjects and verbs agree.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n

      Exercise<\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n\t
      1. Write sentences to meet each of the following criteria. For each sentence, be sure that the subjects and verbs agree.\r\n
          \r\n\t
        1. Write a sentence that has words between the subject and verb.<\/li>\r\n\t
        2. Write a sentence with a compound subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        3. Write a sentence that has a title of a song, movie, television show, or national park for a subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        4. Write a sentence that has a collective noun for a subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        5. Write a sentence that has an indefinite subject (another, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everything, neither, nobody, one, other, or something).<\/li>\r\n\t
        6. Write a sentence where the subject comes after the verb.<\/li>\r\n\t
        7. Write a sentence that uses a relative pronoun as a singular subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        8. Write a sentence that uses a relative pronoun as a plural subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        9. Write a sentence that has a gerund phrase for the subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        10. Write a sentence that has an infinitive phrase for the subject.<\/li>\r\n\t
        11. Write a sentence that has a subject that looks plural but is actually singular.<\/li>\r\n\t
        12. Write a sentence that has a subject that looks plural and is sometimes singular but is plural in this situation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

           <\/p>\n

          \n

          20.1<\/span> Making Sure Subject and Verbs Agree<\/h2>\n
          \n

          Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n
            \n
          1. Recognize typical subject\/verb agreement.<\/li>\n
          2. Learn how to match the subject and verb when other words come between them, how to work with compound subjects, how to use titles involving collective subjects, and how to use indefinite subjects.<\/li>\n
          3. Learn the rules for matching subjects coming after the verb, relative pronouns, gerunds, infinitives, and singular subjects that look plural.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

            Subjects and verbs must agree in two ways: number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). These two general rules hold through all the different subject\/verb guidelines. As a rule, plural subjects end in –s<\/em> and plural verbs do not end in –s<\/em>. In this section, the noun is in bold<\/strong> and the verb is in italic<\/em>.<\/p>\n

            \n

            Pairing Verbs with Singular and Plural Subjects<\/h2>\n

            Many sentences have subjects and verbs that appear side by side. The subjects in these sentences are often clearly singular or plural, and they clearly determine the needed verb form.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Typical singular subject followed directly by the verb<\/td>\nThe US government<\/strong> establishes<\/em> national parks on an ongoing basis, such as the six parks formed in Alaska in 1980.<\/td>\nDon\u2019t get confused into thinking that a singular subject needs a verb without an –s<\/em>. The plural version would be \u201cgovernments establish.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Typical plural subject followed directly by the verb<\/td>\nNational parks<\/strong> provide<\/em> wonderful opportunities for people to commune with nature.<\/td>\nThe subject \u201cparks\u201d is plural and it agrees with \u201cprovide.\u201d The singular version would be \u201cpark provides.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Matching Subjects and Verbs That Are Separated by Other Words<\/h2>\n

            When words fall between a subject and verb, the singular\/plural state of the subject is sometimes confusing. Always make sure you are matching the verb to the subject and not to one of the words between the two.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Words fall between subject and verb<\/td>\nSix national parks<\/strong> in Alaska were formed<\/em> in 1980.<\/td>\nMistaking \u201cAlaska\u201d for the subject would make it seem as if the verb should be \u201cwas formed.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Joining Plural Verbs to Compound or Double Subjects<\/h2>\n

            Compound subjects joined by the word \u201cand\u201d are plural since there is more than one of them. Double subjects joined by \u201cor\u201d or \u201cnor\u201d match to a verb based on the status of the subject closest to the verb.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Compound subject with plural verb<\/td>\nRock and grass<\/strong> combine<\/em> to make Badlands National Park amazing.<\/td>\n\u201cRock and grass\u201d is a plural subject formed by two singular words. Don\u2019t get confused and use \u201ccombines\u201d for the verb because the individual subjects are singular.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Noncompound double subject functioning as a singular subject<\/td>\nDepending on where you look, rock or grass<\/strong> dominates<\/em> your view.<\/td>\nSince the subjects are joined by \u201cor,\u201d they do not automatically become plural because there are two of them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Pairing Singular Verbs with Titles and Collective Subjects<\/h2>\n

            Regardless of the singular or plural nature of the words within a title, the title is considered one unit; thus it is a singular noun. Similarly, collective nouns<\/span><\/span>, such as \u201ccommittee,\u201d function as singular nouns regardless of how many people or things might actually make up the collective noun.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Title with singular verb<\/td>\nEverglades National Park<\/strong> preserves<\/em> thousands of acres of wetlands.<\/td>\nThis title isn\u2019t plural just because word \u201cEverglades\u201d is plural. The park is one thing and, therefore, is singular.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Collective subject with singular verb<\/td>\nThe team<\/strong> meets<\/em> twice a year at Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park.<\/td>\nAlthough you know that the \u201cteam\u201d is made up of more than one person, you must view \u201cteam\u201d as a single unit.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Teaming Singular Verbs with Indefinite Subjects<\/h2>\n

            Whether an indefinite subject is singular or plural depends on whether the indefinite noun<\/span><\/span> has a singular or plural meaning on its own or based on the rest of the sentence.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Indefinite subject with singular meaning on its own<\/td>\nEach<\/strong> of the fossils in the Petrified Forest National Park tells<\/em> a story.<\/td>\nEven though there is more than one fossil, the word \u201ceach\u201d is always singular. Many indefinite subjects are always singular. Examples include another, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everything, neither, nobody, one, other, and something.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Indefinite subject with singular meaning based on the rest of the sentence<\/td>\nAll of Arizona<\/strong> was<\/em> once located in a tropical region.<\/td>\nSince \u201cArizona\u201d is singular, \u201call\u201d is singular. Some indefinite subjects can be singular or plural. Examples include all, any, more, most, none, some, and such.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Indefinite subject with plural meaning based on the rest of the sentence<\/td>\nAll the petrified trees<\/strong> in the Petrified Forest National Park are<\/em> millions of years old.<\/td>\nSince \u201ctrees\u201d is plural, \u201call\u201d is plural.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Indefinite subject with plural meaning on its own<\/td>\nBoth<\/strong> scrubland and rock formations are<\/em> common in desert settings.<\/td>\nSome indefinite subjects are always plural. Examples include both, few, fewer, many, others, several, and they.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Choosing Verbs When the Subject Comes after the Verb<\/h2>\n

            The standard sentence format in English presents the subject before the verb. In reversed sentences, you need to find the subject and then make sure it matches the verb. To find the subject, fill the following blank with the verb and then ask the question of yourself: who or what _____?<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Subject comes after the verb<\/td>\nThroughout Mammoth Cave National Park run<\/em> passages<\/strong> covering over 367 miles.<\/td>\nWho or what runs? The passages do. Even though you might be tempted to think \u201cMammoth Cave National Park\u201d is the subject, it is not doing the action of the verb. Since \u201cpassages\u201d is plural, it must match up to a plural verb.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Deciding If Relative Pronouns Take a Singular or Plural Verb<\/h2>\n

            Relative pronouns<\/span><\/span>, such as who<\/em>, which<\/em>, that<\/em>, and one of<\/em>, are singular or plural based on the pronoun\u2019s antecedent<\/span><\/span>. You have to look at the antecedent of the relative clause to know whether to use a singular or plural verb.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Relative pronoun that is singular<\/td>\nThe Organ<\/strong>, which<\/strong> rises up seven hundred feet, is<\/em> so named for its resemblance to a pipe organ.<\/td>\nThe word \u201corgan\u201d is singular and is the antecedent for \u201cwhich.\u201d So the word \u201cwhich\u201d is also singular. The word \u201cwhich\u201d is the subject for the relative clause \u201cwhich rises up seven hundred feet\u201d and, therefore, requires a singular verb (rises).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Relative pronoun that is plural<\/td>\nArches National Park in Utah offers sites<\/strong> that mesmerize<\/em> the most skeptical people.<\/td>\nThe word \u201csites\u201d is plural and is the antecedent for \u201cthat.\u201d The word \u201cthat\u201d is the subject for the relative clause \u201cthat mesmerize the most skeptical people.\u201d So \u201cthat\u201d is plural in this case and requires a plural verb (mesmerize).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Matching Singular Subjects to Gerunds and Infinitives<\/h2>\n

            Gerunds<\/span><\/span> are nouns formed by adding –ing<\/em> to a verb. Gerunds can combine with other words to form gerund phrases, which function as subjects in sentences. Gerund phrases are always considered singular.<\/p>\n

            Infinitives<\/span><\/span> are the \u201cto\u201d forms of verbs, such as to run<\/em> and to sing<\/em>. Infinitives can be joined with other words to form an infinitive phrase. These phrases can serve as the subject of a sentence. Like gerund phrases, infinitive phrases are always singular.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Gerund phrase as singular subject<\/td>\nVeering<\/strong> off the paths is<\/em> not recommended<\/em> on the steep hills of Acadia National Park.<\/td>\nDon\u2019t be fooled by the fact that \u201cpaths\u201d is plural. The subject of this sentence is the whole gerund phrase, which is considered to be singular. So a singular verb is needed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Infinitive phrase as singular subject<\/td>\nTo restore<\/strong> Acadia National Park after the 1947 fire was<\/em> a Rockefeller family mission.<\/td>\nAll words in an infinitive phrase join together to create a singular subject.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Recognizing Singular Subjects That Look Plural and Then Choosing a Verb<\/h2>\n

            Some subjects appear plural when they are actually singular. Some of these same subjects are plural in certain situations, so you have to pay close attention to the whole sentence.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Situation<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nWatch Out For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Singular subjects that look plural<\/td>\nPolitics<\/strong> plays<\/em> a part in determining which areas are named as national parks.<\/td>\nMany subjects are or can be singular, but look plural, such as athletics<\/em>, mathematics<\/em>, mumps<\/em>, physics<\/em>, politics<\/em>, statistics<\/em>, and news<\/em>. Take care when matching verbs to these subjects.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Subject that looks plural, and is sometimes singular and sometimes plural<\/td>\nState and national politics<\/strong> sway<\/em> Congress during national park designation talks.<\/td>\nJust because words such as \u201cpolitics\u201d can be singular doesn\u2019t mean that they always are. In this case, the adjectives \u201cstate and national\u201d clarify that different sources of politics are involved (\u201cstate politics\u201d and \u201cnational politics\u201d), so \u201cpolitics\u201d is plural in this case.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
            \n

            Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n