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CHAPTER XVI
Accordance of Verb with Subject
No rule of grammar is more familiar to the schoolboy than that which
relates to the agreement of the verb with its subject, or nominative,
and none that is more frequently violated. It would be a mistake,
however, to assume that the schoolboy is the only transgressor. Ladies
and gentlemen of culture and refinement, writers and speakers of
experience and renown, have alike been caught in the quicksands of
verb constructions.
"This painting is one of the finest masterpieces that ever was given
to the world." A transposition of the sentence will show that the verb
should be were, and not was. "Of the finest masterpieces that ever
were given to the world, this painting is one."
"His essay on 'Capital and Labor' is one of the best that has ever
been written on the subject." The verb should be have.
"The steamer, with all her passengers and crew, were lost." The
subject is steamer, and the verb should be was.
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Interrogative sentences
"What signifies his good resolutions, when he does not possess
strength of purpose sufficient to put them into practice?" Resolutions
is the subject, and the verb should be signify.
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