SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

PARENTHETICAL CONCORD: Parenthesis, otherwise known as bracket, is used to give additional information in a sentence. Whatever is called the parenthetical part of a subject is an additional part that must not take part in controlling the verb. It might be marked off by commas or dashes on both ends, or might be an embedded phrase or clause:
Nigeria, in both her private and public sectors, ~need~ help. ✖️
Nigeria, in both her private and Public sectors, needs help.
The installation of the computers ~are~ going on. ✖️
The installation of the computers is going on. ✔️
Concord of time, distance, money and measurement:
The plural nouns used to realise the items above attract singular verb:
Ten thousand dollars ~are~ enough for me. ✖️
Ten thousand dollars is enough for me. ✔️
Fifteen minutes ~seem~ enough for the presentation. ✖️
Fifteen minutes seems enough for the presentation.✔️
Forty kilometers ~are~ a long distance to drive. ✖️
Forty kilometers is a long distance to drive. ✔️
GAB