The language usage section

The language usage section includes word order and sentence structure: function words (pronouns of all types, transitional words, and conjunctions, prepositions, expletives, modifiers), inflections (verb tenses, agreement, voice, phrases, infinitives, gerunds, modal auxiliaries, comparative/superlative adjectives, noun forms, possessives, adverbs), affirmative and negative sentences, yes/no questions, information questions, noun modifiers, and parallel items in a series.
1. The subject of a sentence (a noun or pronoun) must agree with its verb: singular subjects must have singular verbs and plural subjects must have plural verbs.
Example: Universidad del Turabo is in Caguas.
s v
(The subject and the verb are singular.)
The Biology lab has new research equipment.


The Biology labs have new research equipment.

s v
(Both subject and verb are plural.)

2. The following pronouns are always singular: each, either, neither, everybody, one, everyone, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, another, anything, nobody, no one, & nothing.
Example: Everybody wants a copy of the review. s v

(Everybody is singular, so the verb is singular.)

2a. The pronouns some, all, any, none, more, & most may be either singular or plural depending on the prepositional phrase that follows them.
Example:
None of the written document was mailed.
s v
(None and was are singular.)

None of the cardboard containers were shipped. (None and were are plural.)

2b. The pronouns both, many, several, few, & others are plural and take a plural verb.
Example:
Both of the girls are very intelligent.
s v
(Both the subject and the verb are plural.)

3. A prepositional phrase that comes between a subject and a verb does not affect the verb.

Example:
Basic English courses at Universidad del Turabo
s
are conversational.
v
(Both subject and verb are plural.)
4. When two subjects are connected by either. …or, or neither…nor, the subject that is closer to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural.
Example:
Neither the professor nor the students were late
s v
yesterday.
(Students and the verb are plural.)
Neither the students nor the professor was late
s v
yesterday.
(Professor and the verb are s v singular)

5. When a sentence begins with there is or there are, they are never the subject. The subject is always after the verb.

Example:
There is a man waiting for you.
v s
(Is and man are both singular.)
There are ten computers missing from the lab.
v s
(Are and computers are both plural.)