Question

The number of times I have told you I do not want to go to the concert with you (amaze, amazes) me.

Short answer

The correct sentence is: 'The number of times I have told you I do not want to go to the concert with you amazes me.'

Step-by-step solution

Identify the subject

Identify the subject in the sentence. In this case, the subject is 'The number of times'. Although 'times' is plural, the subject 'The number' is actually singular.

Identify the verb

Identify the verbs in the options given. Here, the verbs are 'amaze' and 'amazes'.

Match the subject with the verb

Based on the subject-verb agreement rules, a singular subject requires a singular verb. In our case, 'The number of times' is singular, so the verb must also be singular. Hence, 'amazes' is the correct verb to use.

Key concepts

Singular Subjects

When discussing subject-verb agreement, understanding singular subjects is crucial. A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. It is important to identify the subject correctly in any sentence, as it will determine the form of the verb you use. For example, in the phrase "The number of times," most might mistakenly recognize "times" as the subject due to its plurality. But, as per our exercise, the true subject is "The number," which is singular.
This is a common area where confusion arises—especially when the subject includes words that point towards plurality, like "number." Always remember to focus on the main subject rather than the additional descriptive words.

• "The number of apples" – Here, "number" is singular.
• "A bouquet of flowers blooms brightly" – "Bouquet" is singular despite "flowers" being plural.

By correctly identifying singular subjects, you ensure that you're pairing them with the appropriate verb form.

Plural Subjects

Understanding plural subjects is the next step in mastering subject-verb agreement. Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. When a subject is plural, the verb must match by also being plural. Look at a simple example: "The apples are tasty." Here, "apples" form the plural subject, and "are" is the correct plural verb.
To properly identify a plural subject in a sentence, look at the noun's form and quantity indications. Words like "few," "many," or "several" point towards plural subjects. Remember, when a plural subject is separated by "and," it also remains plural, like in "Tom and Jerry are friends."

• "Many students study hard" – Both "students" and the verb "study" are in plural forms.
• "The dogs run in the park" – "Dogs" makes the subject plural, so "run" matches as a plural verb.

By recognizing the plurality in subjects, you can ensure the correct verb form follows.

Verb Conjugation

Verb conjugation is the process of changing a verb form to match the subject in terms of number and person. This is essential for maintaining correct sentence structure and meaning. Generally, singular subjects require singular verb forms, while plural subjects need plural verbs.
Using our exercise as an example—"The number of times... amazes me"—since "The number" is singular, we used "amazes" instead of "amaze." Singular verbs typically have an added "-s" or "-es" at the end for present tense, while plural verbs do not.

• "She walks" vs. "They walk" – "Walks" is singular because of "she."
• "He writes" vs. "We write" – "Writes" is for the singular subject "he."

Correct verb conjugation is necessary for clear communication, allowing sentences to convey the intended meaning accurately.