1. Verbs must be in the same person and number as their subject-nominatives; that is, as the noun or pronoun pre ceding them; as, The boy runs; The boys run. It shines; They shine.
2. Plural subjects admit of predicates in the singular; as, Ye are the salt of the earth. Christians are the light of the world.
3. A subject in the singular admits of a predicate in the plural. "He is head and shoulders above the other." "A New York shilling is twelve and a half cents."
4. Two or more subjects, connected by and, require a verb in the plural form; as, Three men and two horses are crossing the river. The same rule applies, when the sub jects are sentences, or parts of sentences; as, "That the man is a knave, and that he was present, are well-known facts."
When these subjects are of similar import, good usage allows of a singular verb; as, "The worship and service of heaven is repre sented to us as the worship and service of gratitude and love." Here worship and service present but one complex subject of the verb.
When the subjects connected by and are not taken together, the verb is singular. "He, and not she, attends."
5. When two or more nouns, connected by and, whether expressed or understood, are preceded by each, every, or either, the verb following such nouns must have the singular form; as, "Either sex, and every age was engaged in labor."
6. When two nouns of different numbers or persons are connected by than or as, or by as well as, as soon as, the verb takes the same number as the former noun, and is understood after the latter; as,
"Such books as this are worth purchasing." "More industrious men than John Wilson are seldom seen." "His goods, as well as his vessel, were lost." "You, as soon as he, have discovered your mistake."
7. When two subjects, in different numbers (one of which has the word no or not as a modifier), are connected by and or but, the verb takes the number of the subject X not thus modified, and is understood in reference to the other; as,
"No amount of property, but moderate desires insure a con tented mind." "A genuine Christian character, and not ostentatious professions of it, decides our future happiness."
8. When two nouns, connected by and, describe but one subject, they are followed by a singular verb; as, "That great preacher and philanthropist deserves universal respect."
9. When a verb is placed between its subjects, it agrees in number with the subject that precedes it, and is to be understood after the other subjects; as, "Sarah dies, and Rebecca, and Gertrude."
10. A collective noun takes a singular verb when it ex presses many as a unit, a whole; but a plural verb when it expresses many, as separate individuals. The latter construction is now more commonly employed; as, "The Senate were divided in their views." "The fleet were scattered."
11. When subjects of the same verb are not of the same person, the verb takes the plural form, and must be made of the first person, rather than the second, and of the second, rather than the third; as, "My brother and I are much attached." "You and he are very happy."
12. Two or more nominatives, in the singular, connected by or or nor, require the verb in the singular; as, "Neither John nor James is here."
When these nominatives are of different persons or numbers, the verb must be of the same number and person with the nomi native next to it; as, "I or thou art wrong." "Neither poverty nor riches are hurtful to him." In such sentences, however, it is better to vary the construction, and give to each subject a verb in the proper person and number; as, "I am wrong, or thou art." "Neither poverty is hurtful to him, nor are riches."
13. When two or more subjects, connected by and, expressed or understood, are modified by each, every, or no, they are taken separately, and require a verb in the singular. "No book, and no paper is on hand." "Every pen and pencil is here."
Many a, before a nominative, requires a singular verb; as, "Full many a flower is born," &c.
14. Words adjoined to a nominative (or subject), should not regulate the number of the verb; as,
"The number of scholars is increasing," not are, &c. "Peter, with John, is in the house." "The ship, with the crew, was lost." The practice of good writers varies, in cases like the last; some employing the singular, others, the plural verb. The former method is to be preferred. Instead of using the preposition in such cases, the connective and is better. Thus, "Peter and James are in the house." "The ship and the crew were lost."
15. The phrase, as appears, being equivalent to as it ap pears, is always thus written. The phrase, as follows, must be used after one nominative in the singular; but, as follow, after more than one, or a plural nominative. Thus, "His reasoning is as follows." "His arguments were as follow."
As a general thing, in prose composition, contractions should not be used; as, "I havn't done it." "He shan't come," &c.
EXERCISES.
Write the following sentences, correcting the verbs:
All the world is spectators. The peasantry goes barefoot; the middle class makes use of wooden shoes. The audience was de lighted. Each day and hour are to be usefully employed. Every eye and every heart are joyful. No oppressor, no tyrant prosper there. Much does human pride and folly require correction. William or Sarah have the paper. Either inclination or ability were wanting. A part of the exports consist of silk. The gen eral, with several soldiers, were taken. Either John or I is concerned. The author, or his works, is in fault.
