Subject-verb agreement is one of those grammar rules that can trip up even the most experienced writers. It is essential to ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number, whether singular or plural. In this article, we will focus on a specific aspect of subject-verb agreement known as “one of those.”
When using “one of those” in a sentence, it is crucial to consider the number of the subject that follows it. “One of those” is always followed by a plural noun, even though it begins with the singular word “one.” This is because “one of those” refers to a subset of a larger group, and that larger group is what determines the number.
For example, consider the sentence “One of those books is my favorite.” The subject in this sentence is “one,” which is singular, but “books” is plural. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is “are.” The correct sentence is “One of those books are my favorite.”
Let`s take another example. “One of those dogs barks at night.” Again, the subject is “one,” singular, and “dogs” is plural. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is “bark.” The correct sentence is “One of those dogs bark at night.”
It is essential to remember that “one of those” is only used with a plural noun. If the noun that follows “one of those” is singular, the subject and verb should also be singular. For example, “One of those stories is heartwarming” is correct because the subject, “story,” is singular.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in writing, and it is essential to remember to use the correct verb form when using “one of those.” Always check that the verb agrees with the number of the larger group the noun refers to and not simply the singular noun “one.” By doing this, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct, concise, and easy to read.