Subject-Verb agreement

Humble   Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:40 am GMT
Hi,
Easter greetings to everybody.


Subject-Verb agreement is often a pitfall for learners, isn’t it?
Do you support my choice here?

1. All of my family are present.
2. All my family are present.
3. I’m one of those who favour equal rights.

Thanks.
V.X.   Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:43 am GMT
>> 3. I’m one of those who favour equal rights. <<

-> I'm one of those who favours equal rights.
Lazar   Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:52 am GMT
<<All of my family are present.

All my family are present.>>

Yes, those are what I would use.

<<I’m one of those who favour equal rights.>>

I disagree with V.X. - I think it should be "favour" rather than "favours" here.
Guest   Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:31 am GMT
A. All of my family is present.

B. All my family is present.

C. I am one of those who favors equal rights.



A. The subject is "all," so the verb could either be third person singular or plural, depending on what "all" refers to. In this case, "all" refers to "family" which is a singular noun, even though it comprises of many people. Therefore, the verb should agree with the third person singular.

B. Same as above.

C. The subject is "one," thus the verb must agree with the third person singular.
Guest   Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:12 am GMT
I agree with the other Guest on A and B, but disagree on C. The subject is "those", so it should be third person plural.
Lazar   Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:55 am GMT
<<The subject is "one," thus the verb must agree with the third person singular.>>

No, the subject is "those".

Look at it this way: "Those who favour equal rights? I am one of them."
Buddhaheart   Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:43 pm GMT
<< 3. I’’m one of those who favor equal rights. >>


I believe the antecedent of the relative pronoun “who” is “I” here. The sense of the sentence is I favor equal rights like those who do. The verb should be singular in number and therefore “favors” is more appropriate.
Lazar   Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:59 pm GMT
<<I believe the antecedent of the relative pronoun “who” is “I” here.>>

No, the antecedent of "who" is "those". The group that you're talking about is "those who favor equal rights"; you're saying that you are one *of them*.

<<The sense of the sentence is I favor equal rights like those who do.>>

No, the sense of the sentence is, "I am one of <those who do (plural)>." ;-)
Lazar   Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:24 pm GMT
Google results show that Americans are divided on this issue:

"one of those who favor" 22,000
"one of those who favors" 32,200

Whereas Commonwealth people seem united with the plural conjugation:

"one of those who favour" 29,000
"one of those who favours" only 142

With other verbs, it seems like there's a solid preference for the plural conjugation:

"one of those who prefer" 83,100
"one of those who prefers" only 2,930

"one of those who enjoy" 207,000
"one of those who enjoys" 31,800

And most solidly of all:

"one of those who spend" 1,670,000
"one of those who spends" only 9,310

Although with "be", the singular-conjugators put up a decent showing:

"one of those who are" 81,800
"one of those who is" 46,700

But anyway, in none of these cases (except "favor", and only then among Americans, and only at 60% to 40%) is there a majority favoring the singular conjugation. Considering that Humble seems to be using British English, it seems clear that he has to use "favour" rather than "favours" (29,000 to 142!).
Humble   Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:32 am GMT
Thank you all very much.

A lively discussion. No wonder we EFLs are confused.
I also think that if we consider "those" an ellipsis of "those people", then the plural is more natural.

Lazar, you've done a great job. BTW how do you separate a search in terms of nations? Could you enlighten me, please? I am still a dummy.
Guest   Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:26 am GMT
The way he does it is the spelling distinction between the US and the UK. In the US, "favor" is used, whereas the UK uses "favour".
OZ   Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:25 am GMT
<<In the US, "favor" is used, whereas the UK uses "favour".>>

Favour is used by the Commonwealth nations as well, including non native English speaking contries. But its always a UK / US affair, innit :D
Guest   Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:52 pm GMT
OZ, good point there.....lol
Humble   Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:42 am GMT
Aha, so simple as that.
Thank you , Guest.