Singular Subjects that Look Plural

Singular Subjects that Look Plural

Some subjects look plural in number though they are singular. These subjects
take singular verbs.

i There are certain nouns which end in s and look plural, but they are
singular in number. They take singular verbs.
Example:
Mumps is a disease with painful swelling generally caught by children.
Some more words which are singular but look plural are:
economics, physics, optics, news, measles, rabies, diabetes, athletics,
mathematics, electronics, genetics, mechanics.

ii Often a proper noun looks plural in form, but it stands for one object and
it takes a singular verb.
Example:
Atma Ram and Sons is a well-known publishing company.

iii When two nouns are joined with and refer to the same person or thing,
or suggest one idea, they take a singular verb.
Example:
My philosopher and guide is dead.
Rice and curry is my favourite meal.

iv When the subject is a unit of measurement or a mathematical equation,
the verb used is singular.
Example:
Ten years is a pretty long time.
I don’t need so much. Two kilograms is enough for me.
Seventy-five miles is a long distance to travel on foot.

v When two singular subjects are joined by either-or, neither-nor, they
take a singular verb.
Example:
Either John or William has stolen my book.
Neither my father nor my mother was present at the party.

vi The following pronouns are always singular and they take singular
verbs: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody,
everyone, everything, many a one, neither, nobody, no one, nothing,
somebody, someone, something.
Example:
Neither of the films was good.
Everything depends on the weather.

Subjects that are Plural

i The following pronouns are always plural and take plural verbs:
both, many, few, several.
Example:
Many come to see the Taj Mahal. Few go away disappointed.

ii Two and more singular nouns joined by and make a plural subject, they
take a plural verb.
Example:
Delhi and Mumbai are the most polluted cities of India.
The Red Fort and the Jama Masjid were built by Shahjahan.

iii The following nouns are always plural in form and therefore take plural
verbs: trousers, pants, shorts, pliers, spectacles, drawers, socks, riches,
binoculars, scissors.
Example:
Your binoculars look very powerful.
These scissors are not sharp enough to cut this wire.

iv When two subjects are joined together by or, either-or, neither-nor, and
one of them is plural, the verb must be plural and the plural subject must
be placed nearest to the verb.
Example:
Neither Akhil nor his friends were able to do this sum.
Either Rita or her friends have to do this work.

v When two subjects joined together by or, either-or, or neither-nor are of
different numbers, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to the verb.
Example:
Neither you nor I am responsible for this mistake.
Either he or you have to play this part.