GrammarPhile Blog

Can You Pick the Correct Verb?

Posted by Phil Jamieson   Oct 23, 2014 7:00:00 AM

motor boatWhich verbs are correct?

  • The ruling majority is/are likely to share power.
  • The majority is/are nonmembers.

A mass noun (sometimes called a noncount noun) is one that denotes something uncountable, either because it is abstract {cowardice} {evidence} or because it refers to an indeterminate aggregation of people or things {the faculty} {the bourgeoisie}; the latter type is also called a collective noun. As the subject of a sentence, a mass noun usually takes a singular verb.

  • The litigation is varied.

But in a collective sense, it may take either a singular or a plural verb form.

  • The ruling majority is unlikely to share power.
  • The majority are nonmembers.

A singular verb emphasizes the verb; a plural verb emphasizes the individual members.

Which verbs are correct?

  • A small percentage of water skiers has competed in this year's tournament.
  • A large percentage of boat drivers have run aground.
  • The quantity of cheese pizzas ordered for the party have increased.
  • The quantity of hotdogs for the tournament officials has gone up.

Mass nouns are sometimes followed by a prepositional phrase, such as number of plus a plural noun. The article that precedes the mass noun signals whether the mass noun or the number of the noun in the prepositional phrase controls the verb. If a definite article (the) precedes, the mass noun controls, and typically a singular verb is used.

  • The quantity of hotdogs has gone up.

If an indefinite article (a or an) precedes, then the number of the noun in the prepositional phrase controls.

  • A large percentage of boat drivers have run aground.

Source: The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition.

Topics: Nouns

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