10 Questions
In the sentence 'Fifteen dollars is the cost of the cake', the verb 'is' is correct because the focus is on the total amount.
True
For the phrase 'Five hundred square feet is a very small space to live in', the verb 'is' should be changed to 'are' to make it grammatically correct.
False
The sentence 'Ten hours are how much time we'll need to complete the project' follows the guideline of using plural verb forms.
False
In the sentence 'Four cups of tea', the verb should be plural to match the multiple units of measurement mentioned.
True
Nouns that denote groups can function only as plural nouns.
False
Units like 'economics' and 'news' are exceptions to the rule and are considered singular despite ending in 's'.
True
Irregular plural nouns always follow the standard pattern of adding '-s' for plural form.
False
The phrase 'The geese are gathering' demonstrates the use of an irregular plural form.
True
Subject-verb agreement rules are not important for writing grammatically correct sentences.
False
Consistent agreement between the subject and the verb can be ensured by ignoring the structure of the subject and its context.
False
Study Notes
Singular Verb Form in Units of Measurement
Using the correct verb form is crucial in ensuring the coherence and clarity of our sentences, especially when dealing with units of measurement. This article discusses the general guideline for singular versus plural verb forms in connection with money, time, and measurement units.
Singular Verbs
Singular verb forms are used when the focus of the sentence is on a total amount. This means that if you can replace the time, measurement, or dollar amount with a singular pronoun (it, this, that), you should use a singular verb. Here are some examples:
- Money: "Fifteen dollars is the cost of the cake."
- Time: "Ten hours is how much time we'll need to complete the project."
- Measurements: "Five hundred square feet is a very small space to live in."
Plural Verbs
On the other hand, plural verb forms are used when the focus of the sentence is on multiple units. To determine if you should use a plural verb, you can ask questions like 'how many?'. For instance:
- "Four cups of tea", "Three hours of sleep", "Thirty minutes of meditation".
In these cases, the verb should be in the plural form because the focus is on the separate cups, hours, or minutes.
Exceptions
While the rule generally holds true, there are exceptions. Some units of measurement, like "economics" or "news," end in "s" but are considered singular. You can tell these "s" words are singular because if you remove the "s," you don't have a noun. For example:
- "Economics is her favorite subject."
- "News is his preferred source of information."
Other Considerations
In addition to the guidelines mentioned above, there are other factors to consider when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb, such as the context of the sentence, the subject-verb relationship, and the specific unit of measurement involved. It's essential to carefully evaluate each sentence to ensure the correct verb form is used.
Remember, while some instances might seem confusing, generally, when speaking about units of measurement, it's best to use a singular verb form unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Learn about the correct usage of singular verb forms when dealing with units of measurement, including money, time, and measurement units. Explore examples and exceptions to ensure coherence and clarity in your sentences.
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