An English Grammar Part 97

438. The indefinite article (compare Sec. 434) is used to lend special emphasis, interest, or clearness to each of several nouns; as,--

James was declared _a_ mortal and b.l.o.o.d.y _enemy, a tyrant, a murderer_, and _a usurper_.--MACAULAY.

Thou hast spoken as _a patriot_ and _a Christian_.--BULWER.

He saw him in his mind's eye, _a collegian, a parliament man--a Baronet_ perhaps.--THACKERAY.

VERBS.

CONCORD OF VERB AND SUBJECT IN NUMBER.

[Sidenote: _A broad and loose rule._]

439. In English, the number of the verb follows the meaning rather than the form of its subject.

It will not do to state as a general rule that the verb agrees with its subject in person and number. This was spoken of in Part I., Sec.

276, and the following ill.u.s.trations prove it.

The statements and ill.u.s.trations of course refer to such verbs as have separate forms for singular and plural number.

[Sidenote: _Singular verb._]

440. The singular form of the verb is used--

[Sidenote: _Subject of singular form._]

(1) When the subject has a singular form and a singular meaning.

Such, then, _was_ the earliest American _land_.--AGa.s.sIZ.

_He was_ certainly a happy fellow at this time.--G. ELIOT.

_He sees_ that it is better to live in peace.--COOPER.

[Sidenote: _Collective noun of singular meaning._]

(2) When the subject is a _collective noun_ which represents a number of persons or things _taken as one unit_; as,--

The larger _breed_ [of camels] _is_ capable of transporting a weight of a thousand pounds.--GIBBON.

Another _school professes_ entirely opposite principles.--_The Nation._

In this work there _was_ grouped around him _a score_ of men.--W.

PHILLIPS

A _number_ of jeweled paternosters _was_ attached to her girdle.--FROUDE.

_Something like a horse load_ of books _has_ been written to prove that it was the beauty who blew up the b.o.o.by.--CARLYLE

This usage, like some others in this series, depends mostly on the writer's own judgment. Another writer might, for example, prefer a plural verb after _number_ in Froude's sentence above.

[Sidenote: _Singulars connected by_ or _or_ nor.]

(3) When the subject consists of two or more singular nouns connected by _or_ or _nor_; as,--

It is by no means sure that either our _literature_, or the great intellectual _life_ of our nation, _has_ got already, without academies, all that academies can give.--M. ARNOLD.

_Jesus is_ not dead, nor _John_, nor _Paul_, nor _Mahomet_.

--EMERSON.

[Sidenote: _Plural form and singular meaning._]

(4) When the subject is _plural in form_, but represents a number of things to be taken together as _forming one unit_; for example,--

Thirty-four years _affects_ one's remembrance of some circ.u.mstances.--DE QUINCEY.

Between ourselves, three pounds five s.h.i.+llings and two pence _is_ no bad day's work.--GOLDSMITH.

Every twenty paces _gives_ you the prospect of some villa; and every four hours, that of a large town.--MONTAGUE

Two thirds of this _is_ mine by right.--SHERIDAN

The singular form is also used with book t.i.tles, other names, and other singulars of plural form; as,--

Politics _is_ the only field now open for me.--WHITTIER.

"Sesame and Lilies" _is_ Ruskin's creed for young girls.--_Critic_, No. 674

The Three Pigeons _expects_ me down every moment.--GOLDSMITH.

[Sidenote: _Several singular subjects to one singular verb._]

(5) With _several singular subjects not_ disjoined by _or_ or _nor_, in the following cases:--

(_a_) Joined by _and_, but considered as meaning about the same thing, or as making up one general idea; as,--

In a word, all his conversation and knowledge _has been_ in the female world--ADDISON.

The strength and glare of each [color] _is_ considerably abated.--BURKE

To imagine that debating and logic _is_ the triumph.--CARLYLE

In a world where even to fold and seal a letter adroitly _is_ not the least of accomplishments.--DE QUINCEY