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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
More than one agreement
I read a discussion in old forums. some people were discussing this problem. Even I've a doubt, I just read a rule in a book, where auther says that if when a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole the verb is generally singular.
eg.
1. Twenty minutes is allowed to each speaker.
Here subject is considered as a singular.
2. More than one student is taking part.
Here "more than on student" subject is singular.
I'm getting confuse. In case if i get a problem like more than one students are taking part, then it would be wrong or correct ? Here we've used students
or If problem comes like this "more than two students are taking part " then i guess it's correct but what if it comes as i asked above.
eg.
1. Twenty minutes is allowed to each speaker.
Here subject is considered as a singular.
2. More than one student is taking part.
Here "more than on student" subject is singular.
I'm getting confuse. In case if i get a problem like more than one students are taking part, then it would be wrong or correct ? Here we've used students
or If problem comes like this "more than two students are taking part " then i guess it's correct but what if it comes as i asked above.
Top answer
Hi Anon 1. Twenty minutes is allowed to each speaker. ) 2.
- Hi Anon 1.
- Twenty minutes is allowed to each speaker.
- ) 2.
- More than one student is taking part.
- ) I'm getting confused.
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2 Answers
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Hi Anon
1. Twenty minutes is allowed to each speaker. ('Twenty minutes' is singular because it is viewed as a period.)
2. More than one student is taking part. (Here the subject is 'student'.)
I'm getting confused. In case if i get a problem like more than one students are taking part... (It should be 'student', not 'students' because 'one' precedes 'student'.
"more
1. Twenty minutes is allowed to each speaker. ('Twenty minutes' is singular because it is viewed as a period.)
2. More than one student is taking part. (Here the subject is 'student'.)
I'm getting confused. In case if i get a problem like more than one students are taking part... (It should be 'student', not 'students' because 'one' precedes 'student'.
"more
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You will never have a test question with "more than one studentS." But you could have a test question with "more than one OF THE STUDENTS." In that case, the "rule" still calls for the singular to agree with "one": More than one of the students is sick." BUT!!! Many native speakers feel more comfortable using the plural verb to agree with "students": More than one of the students are sick. Of co
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