Expressions of Quantity. Special Cases of Subject-Verb Agreement
Expressions of time, money and distance usually describe a measurement of the entire quantity which is thought of as a single entity considered together, not separately.
- Ten dollars is a great deal of money to a child.
- Ten kilometres is too far to walk.
- Six weeks is not long enough.
- One hundred pounds is a large sum for her and she decided to put the money on her savings account.
- In total, 10g of tissue was tested.
- Five milliliters of solvent was added to the mixture.
- Eight hours of sleep is enough.
- Ten dollars is too much to pay.
- Five thousand miles is too far to travel.
- Two weeks is enough time to finish the contract.
- Ten dollars is all I have.
- Seven pounds is an average weight for a newborn.
But
A plural verb is appropriate when items should be considered individually.
- Ten mice undergo testing.
- 10 grams were added.
- Five milliliters were taken for analysis.