Understanding Plural and Collective Agreement in English: Three Quarters of the Students

In English, determining the correct verb form when dealing with phrases like "three quarters of the students" can be a bit tricky. This article will explore the nuances of sentence structure and verb agreement to help clarify when to use singular or plural verbs.

Sentence Structure and Verb Agreement Basics

The fundamental rule in English is that the subject of a sentence determines the correct verb form. When the subject is a plural noun or pronoun, use a plural verb. However, when the subject is a collective noun (a noun referring to a group of people or things), the verb used can be either singular or plural depending on the specific situation.

Examples with Plural Subjects

Let's examine the correct usage of verbs with plural subjects in sentences like the one in question: "three quarters of the students have graduated."

The subject in the sentence is "the students," which is a plural noun. Therefore, the correct verb form is "have graduated". Here are some additional examples:

Three quarters of the students have graduated. We have graduated. You have graduated. He/She has graduated. They have graduated.

Verbs and Quantifiers

Note that when a quantifier such as "three quarters of" modifies a plural noun, the verb agrees with the noun, not with the quantifier. Consider the following sentences:

Three quarters of the cats are Siamese. (are, not is) Three quarters of the garden is covered with weeds. (is, not are) Three quarters of the army is sick. (is, not are) Three quarters of the bundles contain straw. (contain, not contains)

In each case, the verb "are," "is," and "contain" agree with the subject that follows them, regardless of the number of the quantifier.

Testing for Plurality

Another method to determine verb agreement is to replace the quantifier and subject with a singular noun and observe the resulting verb form:

For instance, in the sentence "Three quarters of the pie was eaten," "pie" is treated as a singular noun, so the verb is "was," not "were."

Collective Nouns and Verb Agreement

Collective nouns, which refer to a group, can sometimes confuse the issue of singular versus plural agreement. However, in the case of "three quarters of the students," the subject "students" is clearly plural, and the verb must agree with it.

For example:

Three quarters of the students have graduated. (plural verb)

Three quarters of the pie has fallen. (singular verb)

Although some might argue that "three quarters of the students" is a collective noun, the key is the final word "students," which is plural, requiring a plural verb.

Further Reading

For a comprehensive guide to dealing with collective nouns and their verb agreement, refer to this Web Page on Collective Nouns.

Conclusion

Understanding correct verb agreement in English, especially with groups of nouns, is crucial for clear and accurate communication. By keeping in mind the subject of the sentence and the function of quantifiers, you can accurately use either plural or singular verb forms. Practice with a variety of examples will help reinforce these important linguistic rules.