Subject-Verb Agreement, Using

Expressions of Quantity
By: Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar http://www.kau.edu.sa/SBANJER
http://wwwdrshadiabanjar.blogspot.com

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 1

 Expressions of Quantity
Definition
An expression of quantity is
a word or group of words
that tells the amount of
something. It answers the
questions, “How much?” or
“How many?”

Example
• There are lots of things to
do in a big company.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 2

 Explanation
Expressions of quantity:
• modify a noun.
• describe the amount, or number, of something.
• are used with count nouns or with non-count
nouns.
are used to express:
a positive idea:
“I read all the inbox messages.”
or
a negative idea:
“I read none of the inbox messages.”

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 3

 SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB
Some of the book is good. Some of the books are good.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 4

 In most expressions of quantity, the verb is
determined by the noun or pronoun that
follows of.

SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB

• Two-third of the money Two-third of the
is mine. pennies are mine.
• A lot of the • A lot of my friends
equipment are here.
is new.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 5

 EXCEPTION:
one of, each of, and every one of.

EXCEPTION: one of, each of, and

every one of take singular verbs.

• One of my friend is here.

• Each of my friend is here.
• Every one of my friend is here.

•One of
Plural noun = singular verb
•Each of
+
•Every one of

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 6

 NONE

SINGULAR VERB PLURAL VERB

None of the boys is here. None of the boys are here.
(informal)

• Subjects with none of are considered

singular in formal English.
Plural verbs are often used in informal
English.

Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 7

 1. The number of students in the class is fifteen.
2. A number of students were late for class.

•The number is a subject in (1)

•In (2): A number of =an expression of
quantity = ‘a lot of’.
•It is followed by a plural noun and a
Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar
plural verb. 8
Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar 9