Académique Documents
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Verb-Subject Agreement
Error of Proximity
Two subjects joined by and plural
If both point to the same thing (one thing) singular
Parenthetical words joined to a singular subject singular (e.g. with, as well as)
Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor singular
When one of them is plural plural (and nearer to it)
When subjects of different person joined by or. nor verb is of person nearer to it
Either, neither, each, everyone, many a singular
Each X and every Y singular
Pains, means singular or plural (depends)
Nouns which are plural in meaning plural (e.g. dozen needs a plural verb)
None plural, but singular also in some cases
Collective noun singular (but if individuals are thought of plural; e.g. the team is united.
The jury are divided in their decisionbecause it no more is collective in a sense)
Plural noun is a proper name singular (e.g. Arabian Nights)
Plural noun denote some specific quantity or amount as a whole singular (e.g. fifteen minutes
is..)
When each or every follows a subject, it has no bearing on the verb form.
Adverbs
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives or adverbs.
Thence = from there; Whence = from where (use of from with these is wrong; from thence is
wrong usage)
Only Adverb of Manner, Degree & Time admit of comparison
Order of Adverbs Manner, place, time
Manner, place are placed after the verb (or object)
Frequency, Degree are normally placed between the subject & the verb (if the verb has more
than one word, then placed after the first)
If the verb is :
am/are/is/was --> after
Before <-- be (do) Before <-- have to, used to
If adjective (adverb) -- then before the adjective (adverb)
But enough is always placed after
Only is placed immediately after the word it modifies
Ever, never, scarcely are often misplaced (e.g. scarcely anyone believesright; no one
scarcely believeswrong)
Seldom or neverright
Seldom if everright
Seldom or everwrong
Never for not is wrong. (E.g. He was never born in Indiawrong; He was not born in India
right)
too = more than enough
too != very/much
Of course != certainly, undoubtedly
Of course = natural or inevitable consequence
Nouns & Pronouns
Uncountable nouns do not have plurals. Cannot be used with a/an. (e.g. advice, news,
information, luggage, work, business, weather, traffic, scenery, paper, soap, bread, etc.)
Possessive Case