#grammar If the subject is singular, the predicate must be si | Muhammad Abrayev / IELTS

#grammar

If the subject is singular, the predicate must be singular too, even if the object is plural:

A range of punishments were used to force people to recycle
(A candidate may think that the main noun here is PUNISHMENTS. But it's just an object because it's used after preposition OF)
A range of punishments was used to force people to recycle
(RANGE is the subject here, so the verb must be IS)

The main aim of foraging ants are to supply their colony with food (ANTS play a secondary role here, so the verb isn't related to them)
The main aim of foraging ants is to supply their colony with food (AIM is the main noun in this sentence, and only IS must be used with it here)

Some other examples:

One of my friends like to cook Italian food
One of my friends likes to cook Italian food

A bouquet of roses cost much on March 8
A bouquet of roses costs much on March 8

The percentage of international students have grown
The percentage of international students has grown


MA/IELTS