(If you can't bear the first one, use "were" and fight like a cornered rat against your proof-reader.) (The words "of the students" is a prepositional phrase.) Or, try your hardest to treat "none" as singular, but, if you can't bear how it sounds, go plural. Your best bet is to remove the prepositional phrase, and then play it by ear. If it better translates as "not any," treat it as plural. If your "none" translates as "not one," treat it as singular. However, this "rule" is so well promulgated, many of your grammar-savvy readers will expect it to be singular.
There is a misconception that the word "none" is always singular. Therefore, "none of his friends like s him" is preferable.) (Marking this wrong is a little harsh, but you should try to treat the word "none" as singular (if for no other reason than many of your grammar-savvy readers will want it to be singular). He hasn't an enemy in the world, and none of his friends like him.A combination of factors were the cause of the crash.The verb should be "was" and not "were.") A box of tapes were discovered in his car.The word "offices" in "of the offices" does not affect the verb. (The simple subject is "evacuation," which is singular. The evacuation of the offices is the floor manager's responsibility.In these examples, the simple subjects and the verbs are in bold. Here are some more examples with subjects that feature prepositional phrases. In this case, "of nails" is a prepositional phrase because it starts with the preposition "of.")Įxamples of Subjects with Prepositional Phrases The words that follow (in this case, "of nails") do not affect the verb at all, even though they are usually physically closer to it. The word "box" is known as the simple subject. When a term like "a box of nails" is the subject of a verb, the first word (i.e., "box") determines whether the verb is singular or plural. – A consequence of not paying your bills on time is having your electricity cut off.Singular or Plural after a Prepositional Phrase?
#A prepo phrase full
This may require changing a verb from a full form (‘ pay‘) to the gerund form (‘ paying‘). Note: After prepositions, it is always necessary to use a noun. The cause of the fire was determined to be a cigarette.Ī consequence of not paying your taxes is not having access to public services. The reason for his poor grades is his lack of motivation.Ī result of our decision not to buy food was that we ran out of food.Īn effect of the long winter was an increase in the number of people with depression.
The bus accident resulted in the deaths of 15 people.įinally, here are examples of nouns followed by prepositions that create the cause effect meaning.
His difficulty at school results from his unfortunate situation at home. Her drug abuse is going to lead to going to jail. Here are examples of verbs followed by prepositions that create the same meaning. Compound preposition phraseĪs a result of his hard work, he received a very generous scholarship.īecause of the storm, I could not leave my house.Īs a consequence of not going to class, he failed the exam.ĭue to his poor attendance, he was not able to take the final exam. Here are more examples of prepositional phrases that can create the cause and effect meaning.
0 kommentar(er)
