Subject-Verb Agreement with Expressions of Amount

This video tutorial by Carrie covers subject-verb agreement with a focus on expressions of amount, including measurements, percentages, and fractions. It explains when these expressions are singular or plural, using examples like 'five thousand bricks' and 'two days'. The video also discusses the difference between 'the number of' and 'a number of', providing clear rules and examples for each case.

What determines if an expression of amount is singular or plural?

• The physical weight of the items

• Whether the items are counted individually or as a unit

• The location of the items

• The color of the items

In the sentence 'Five thousand bricks is a heavy load', why is 'is' used instead of 'are'?

• The sentence is grammatically incorrect

• None of the above

• The bricks are considered as one unit

• Bricks are always singular

How does 'two days' function in the sentence referring to a college visit?

• As an adverb

• As a singular subject

• As an adjective

• As a plural subject

What does 'one fourth of the students' refer to in terms of number?

• A singular group

• Individual students

• A non-specific quantity

• A plural subject

Why does '75% of the juniors' take a plural verb?

• The percentage is less than 100%

• It refers to individual members of a group

• It is a fixed rule without exceptions

• Percentage expressions are always plural

Which measurement is typically considered singular in sentences?

• Kilometers

• Cups of flour

• Fluid ounces

• All of the above

What does 'three cups of flour' exemplify in terms of subject-verb agreement?

• Plural subject with a plural verb

• Singular subject with a singular verb

• Plural subject with a singular verb

• None of the above

Why is 'is' used in 'Four and seven tenths inches is the diameter'?

• It is a plural subject

• The phrase is incorrectly constructed

• Inches are always singular

• It refers to a singular measurement

What verb form does 'the number of female athletes' require?

• Plural

• Either, depending on context

• Singular

• None, it's a noun phrase

In the context of 'a number of girls', why is a plural verb used?

• It refers to a specific number

• It's a stylistic choice

• It refers to multiple individuals

• It's a singular noun phrase