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Quan_NT Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

About using "the rest of"

After "the rest of noun" is singular verb or plural verb? Example, we said that: "Does the rest of the audience refuse to go out?" or "Do the rest of the audience refuse to go out?". Thanks.
  

Top answer

In your example, the choice does not depend on the rest. It is determined by the audience , which is a singular noun but an audience is made up of many people. Do and does are both correct.

— Cool Breeze

  • In your example, the choice does not depend on the rest.
  • It is determined by the audience , which is a singular noun but an audience is made up of many people.
  • Do and does are both correct.
  • Americans tend to use a singular verb in cases like this while a plural verb is very common in British English.
  • You will very rarely hear a British sports commentator use a singular verb to refer to a football team, for example: England are up two nil.
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2 Answers
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In your example, the choice does not depend on the rest. It is determined by the audience, which is a singular noun but an audience is made up of many people. Do and does are both correct. Americans tend to use a singular verb in cases like this while a plural verb is very common in British English.

You will very rarely hear a British sports commentator use a s
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I believe does is more appropriate in your context.

The upper side of the audience was quiet. The rest of the audience was rather noisy.

The majority of the audience refuses to go out. The rest of it doesn't care about getting out as soon as possible.

It's up to you. However, I think does fits the context better.

Regards
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