(1) A tree is uprooted.
(2) Many trees are uprooted.
In (1), the simple subject is the singular noun tree and it agrees in number with the singular verb is. In (2), the plural subject trees agrees in number with the plural verb are.
Notice that the subject in each sentence precedes the verb, so its grammatical number is known before the verb is introduced. For this reason, it's much easier to choose the right verb.
When a sentence begins with There, we have a different subject-verb agreement order. Although There precedes the verb, it doesn't determine subject-verb agreement. Linguists call There a dummy subject:
(3) There is a tree.
(4) There are trees.
The singular verb is in (3) is determined by the singular noun tree, not by There. Similarly, the plural are in (4) is determined by the plural trees. It may be helpful to think of tree and trees in (3) and (4) respectively as delayed subjects.
Because the true subject in (3) and (4) follows the verb, it's not so obvious what verb is required. Consequently, the wrong singular verb is commonly used:
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| ChannelNewsAsia - 13 January 2013 |
