sub. verb agreement.

[manoj_rojans]

I need help in some issues from MG instructors (Stacy and Ron)
1. The amount of water and salt is increasing
2. The amount of both water and salt continue to increase
Which one is correct and why?

percentage is singular or plural?
5% of 100 men is singular or plural ?

Three cats ,each of which eats......
Three cats ,each eat.....
which one is correct and why?

Usage of each and every .In which case we should use each and every ?
Manhattan instructors I am still waiting your insights.

[messi10]

Hi,

I know that you are looking for instructors to answer your post but I hope you don't mind me having a go. The instructors will eventually reply to the post anyway.

1. The amount of water and salt is increasing
2. The amount of both water and salt continue to increase
Which one is correct and why?

The subject is "amount", not water and salt so you need a singular verb. The first one is correct. "Both" is always plural but in this case it is the object of preposition, not the subject and the verb must match the subject.

percentage is singular or plural?
5% of 100 man is singular or plural ?

(I presume you meant to say "men" not man)

This is tricky. I am not sure but I think this is one of those rare cases where the verb depends on the object of the Of-prepositional phrase.

80% of the pigs ARE dead
45% of water in the pool IS contaminated.

Three cat ,each of which eats......
Three cat ,each eat.....
which one is correct and why?

(Again, I am assuming that you meant to say cats, not cat)

Here is a good discussion of this issue: http://www.beatthegmat.com/each-vs-every-t11869.html

Regards

Sunil

[abemartin87]

Percentages, in fact any proportion, derive their value from the preposition afterward.
E.G, Half of the pie was eaten
Half of the pies were eaten

However in your case:

5% (percent out) of (a) 100 men is singular or plural

[5% (percent out) of (a) 100] is .05. "Men" is modifying a 100 and is neither a subject or an object of a preposition. The object of preposition is the number 100. "$100 is a large sum of money". Numbers, such as 1,2,3,4,5...etc, are singular. (NOT "The Number" or "A number" the ACTUAL NUMBER as an individual unit)

I hope that answers your question.

[jnelson0612]

Sunil and Abe, thank you and great work! :-)