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3. A singular noun modified by _every_, _each_, _one_, _no_, _many a_; or the p.r.o.nouns _each_, _everybody_, _either_, _neither_, and _none_ when it means _not one_; as,
Each of us _has_ his lesson.
Many an opportunity _has_ been wasted.
Everybody _is_ here now.
4. Singular[1] nouns or p.r.o.nouns joined by _or_, _either--or_, _neither--nor_; as,
Either John or his father _is_ coming.
5. Two nouns joined by _and_, denoting one person or thing; as,
The bookkeeper and stenographer _is_ an expert.
NOTE.--If two persons are meant, the article should be repeated before the second noun.
The following subjects of verbs are plural and require plural verbs:
1. A collective noun denoting plurality; that is, referring to the individuals that compose the group; as,
The cla.s.s _are_ all studious.
2. A compound subject joined by _and_, when the objects joined are different; as,
The door and the window _are_ both open.
3. The p.r.o.noun _you_, though it may denote only one person; as,
_Right_: You _were_ right.
_Wrong_: You _was_ right.
=Exercise 101=
In the following sentences, decide which of the italicized forms is correct. Give the reason for your choice.
1. Two dollars _is_--_are_ too much for you to pay.
2. Bread and b.u.t.ter _is_--_are_ what I prefer to eat.
3. Bread and b.u.t.ter _is_--_are_ both sold here.
4. His opinion and mine _is_--_are_ different.
5. The majority of the cla.s.s _is_--_are_ present.
6. The cla.s.s _is_--_are_ dismissed.
7. The congregation _is_--_are_ asked to remain a few minutes after the close of the service.
8. The community _is_--_are_ rapidly changing.
9. A few of the books _was_--_were_ given to me.
10. There _was_--_were_ forty people present.
11. The secretary and treasurer _was_--_were_ asked to read _his_--_their_ report.
12. One-third of the office _was_--_were_ late this morning because the cars were not running.
13. He _don't_--_doesn't_ understand what I mean.
14. If the quality and the price _is_--_are_ right, buy.
15. There _come_--_comes_ a crowd of people.
16. The library with its thousands of books _was_--_were_ destroyed by fire.
17. There _don't_--_doesn't_ seem to be much difference between the two.
18. The whole system of filing and indexing _is_--_are_ wrong.
19. Safety as well as success _is_--_are_ at stake.
20. The state of public affairs _calls_--_call_ for quick action.
21. Many a man _has_--_have_ neglected golden opportunities.
22. Many men _has_--_have_ neglected golden opportunities.
23. The committee _has_--_have_ given _its_--_their_ report.
24. Our team _was_--_were_ beaten.
25. One of us surely _is_--_are_ mistaken.
26. Every one _was_--_were_ happy when Tom was elected president.
27. Tom and James _is_--_are_ going skating.
28. Tom with his brother James _is_--_are_ going skating.
29. The only thing I have not prepared for dinner _is_--_are_ the potatoes.
30. Fifty feet of sidewalk _was_--_were_ laid to-day.
31. None of the boys _is_--_are_ studying stenography.
