Usage of verb w.r.t. Noun or Subject
1. The Error of Proximity (Nearness)
The Error of Proximity occurs when a verb is mistakenly made to agree with a nearby noun rather than its actual subject.
N1 + Prep + N2 + Helping Verb (HV)
Key Principle: Any noun following a preposition enters the Objective Case. The Helping Verb (HV) must always agree with the Main Subject (N1).
Complex Sentences (Multiple Prepositions)
Even if there are multiple nouns connected by prepositions, the verb still agrees with the very first noun (N1).
N1 + [Prep + N2 + Prep + N3 + Prep + N4…] + HV (Agrees with N1)
| Sentence Example | Subject (N1) | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|
| The apples of Kashmir is/are delicious. | Apples (Plural) | Are |
| The problem of many students is/are solved. | Problem (Singular) | Is |
| The book on these topics by various writers is/are published. | Book (Singular) | Is |
2. Rule: N1 + Preposition + N1
When the same noun is repeated after a preposition, both nouns must be in the Singular Form, and the verb must also be Singular.
Singular N1 + Prep + Singular N1 + Singular Verb
- Pages after pages are read aloud. → Page after page is read aloud.
- Books after books are sold. → Book after book is sold.
- Doors to doors will be visited. → Door to door will be visited.
- Words for words are how he memorized the entire script. → Word for word is how he memorized the script.
Verbatim: This means “Word for word” (often used as “word to word”, which is wrong).
3. Percentages & Fractions
A. The “Percentage of” Rule
When “The percentage of” is the subject, the verb remains Singular.
The percentage of + [PCN / UN / SCN] + Singular Helping Verb
• The percentage of ten students is good.
• The percentage of this work is enough.
• The percentage of this work is enough.
B. Numeral Percent vs. Fraction of
The verb depends entirely on the Noun that follows.
| Noun Type | Verb Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Plural Countable (PCN) | Plural | Ten percent of twenty cities are educated. |
| Singular Countable (SCN) | Singular | Ten percent of the mango is rotten. |
| Uncountable (UN) | Singular | One tenth of the work is done. |
4. Quantifiers: Half, Quarter, Some, Most, Rest
These follow the same rule as fractions: the verb is determined by the noun following “of”.
- Half of twenty bags are full. (PCN → PHV)
- Quarter of these cars are outdated. (PCN → PHV)
- Some of the jewellery is stolen. (UN → SHV)
- Rest of the family are against it. (Divided → PHV)
5. Collective Nouns (United vs. Divided Sense)
A Collective Noun refers to a group of similar entities—whether they are persons, animals, birds, or objects.
1. United Sense
Sense: When the group acts as a single, unanimous unit.
Grammar: Use Singular Verb and pronoun “It/Its”.
2. Divided Sense
Sense: When members of the group act individually or disagree.
Grammar: Use Plural Verb and pronoun “They/Their”.
MASTER APPLICATION: 20 CHALLENGING EXAMPLES
1. The quality of the mangoes is excellent.
Explanation: Here, “Quality” is the singular N1. The plural “mangoes” is the object of the preposition ‘of’. The verb must be singular.
2. The committee has submitted its report.
Explanation: United Sense: Submitting a report is a single, official collective act.
3. Majority of the students are absent today.
Explanation: “Majority of” followed by a plural countable noun (students) requires a plural verb.
4. The team are arguing over their individual mistakes.
Explanation: Divided Sense: Conflict and “individual” mistakes signal plural usage.
5. Every man and every woman is invited.
Explanation: When “Each” or “Every” precedes nouns joined by ‘and’, the verb is always singular.
6. The audience have taken their seats.
Explanation: Divided Sense: Every person sits in an individual seat independently.
7. Knowledge of multiple languages is an asset.
Explanation: “Knowledge” is an uncountable N1. “Languages” is just a nearby noun; the verb agrees with “Knowledge”.
8. The audience has enjoyed the movie.
Explanation: United Sense: The group enjoyed the experience collectively as a whole.
9. Two-thirds of the city is in ruins.
Explanation: “City” is singular countable. Fractions of a singular entity take a singular verb.
10. The board are signing the contract one by one.
Explanation: Divided Sense: “One by one” emphasizes the separate actions of individuals.
11. Two-thirds of the structures are in ruins.
Explanation: Unlike the previous example, “Structures” is plural. Therefore, the fraction takes a plural verb.
12. The party is ready to stake its reputation.
Explanation: United Sense: The party acts as one single political entity.
13. Row upon row of pink marble looks beautiful.
Explanation: This follows the “Noun + Prep + Noun” rule. “Row upon row” is treated as a singular unit, taking “looks” (singular).
14. The orchestra were tuning their instruments.
Explanation: Divided Sense: Each musician tunes their own instrument; they aren’t playing in unison yet.
15. The percentage of successful candidates is high.
Explanation: “The percentage” always dictates a singular verb, regardless of the noun “candidates”.
16. The family are having their breakfast.
Explanation: Divided Sense: Refers to the individual members eating their own meals.
17. Statistics is a difficult subject.
Explanation: When used as a field of study (Singular Subject), it takes a singular verb. (Note: If it meant “data”, it would be plural).
18. The crew were taken prisoner.
Explanation: Divided Sense: Prisoners are individual people; the group sense is broken here.
19. The teacher, along with her students, has arrived.
Explanation: “Teacher” is N1. Phrases like “along with” or “as well as” do not change the number of the subject.
20. The government has implemented the new law.
Explanation: United Sense: Implementation is a singular formal act by the governing body.