English rules lesson 4

Page
4

Sometimes a noun phrase sounds plural but describes something we think of as a single unit. These noun phrases take a singular verb.

Spaghetti and meatballs is [singular] my favorite dinner.

Ice cream and cake is [singular] my favorite dessert.

Slide 43

Wrong

Peanut butter and jelly are Billy’s favorite sandwich.

Right

Peanut butter and jelly is Billy’s favorite sandwich.

Slide 44

Which is correct?

Macaroni and cheese is a healthy food.

Macaroni and cheese are a healthy food.

Slide 45

Correct

Macaroni and cheese is a healthy food.

Slide 46

Don’t be confused by nouns that look plural but are actually singular.

Slide 47

The news [singular] of the coon hunt spreads through the town.

Mumps [singular] makes one's cheeks hurt and causes swelling and fever.

Mathematics [singular] is my best subject in school.

Slide 48

Which is correct?

Measles is contagious.

Measles are contagious.

Slide 49

Correct

Measles is contagious.

Slide 50

Don’t be confused by nouns of amount.

Slide 51

Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.

Slide 52

Wrong

Five hundred dollars are a lot of money.

Right Five hundred dollars is a lot of money.

Slide 53

Wrong

Three hours are a long time to wait.

Right Three hours is a long time to wait.

Slide 54

Which is correct?

Forty dollars buy two coon hounds.

Forty dollars buys two coon hounds.

Slide 55

Correct

Forty dollars buys two coon hounds.

Slide 56

Which is correct?

Two years totals a long time for Billy to save his money.

Two years total a long time for Billy to save his money.

Slide 57