Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners - Robin Torres-Gouzerh 2016

Complex nouns
15 Agreement with nouns

Complex nouns are phrases that combine a head noun with a subordinate noun. The head noun is the subject of the sentence and determines the form of the verb. The subordinate noun is the object of the preposition of; the of phrase follows the head noun and completes the meaning of the subject. The phrase the glasses of wine consists of the head noun glasses, the preposition of, and the subordinate noun wine.

The glasses of wine are on the bar.

A plural verb (are) is required in this sentence, because the subject (glasses) is plural. If the noun phrase has a singular subject, the verb form is singular.

A bottle of wine is in the cooler.

Exercise 15.7 Fill in the blank with a verb form or expression of quantity that makes sense.

Examples Each of the boys has been given a dollar.

Chicago has many kinds of ethnic neighborhoods.

1. The cans of food ... in the trunk.

2. One of the students ... studying.

3. Ten loaves of bread ... needed to make the sandwiches.

4. There ... several types of entertainment in Madagascar.

5. My sister doesn’t drink ... cups of coffee in the afternoon, because it keeps her awake at night.

6. That ... an unexpected piece of news.

7. Large avenues have ... lanes to clear out traffic.