Question

Each of the boys (is, are) overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done.

Short answer

The correct sentence is 'Each of the boys is overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done.' because 'each' is a singular pronoun, thus needs a singular verb 'is'.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the principles of subject-verb agreement

The main rule is that a singular subject should be paired with a singular verb, and a plural subject should be paired with a plural verb.

Determine whether the subject is singular or plural

In the given sentence, the subject is 'each of the boys'. 'Each' is a singular pronoun, even though it is referring to multiple boys. Thus the subject is singular.

Choose the correct form of the verb

Given that our subject is singular, we should use the singular form of the verb. Therefore, we should use 'is' instead of 'are'.

Key concepts

Grammar Rules

Subject-verb agreement is one of the foundational grammar rules in English. It holds that subjects and verbs must agree in number, meaning both need to be singular or both need to be plural. Having the correct agreement makes your sentences clear and understandable.
Here are some key points to remember:

• Singular subjects take singular verbs. For example: "The cat sits on the mat."
• Plural subjects take plural verbs. For example: "The cats sit on the mat."
• Words like "each", "either", "neither", "everyone", and "nobody" are singular and require singular verbs.
• When subjects are connected by 'and', they usually require a plural verb. However, if the subjects refer to the same entity or idea, use a singular verb. For instance, "Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast."

Practicing these rules will help you use correct subject-verb agreement in any sentence.

Singular and Plural Nouns

Understanding the difference between singular and plural nouns is essential for proper subject-verb agreement. A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea. A plural noun names more than one.

• Singular nouns usually add an -s or -es to become plural, like "dog" to "dogs", or "box" to "boxes".
• Some words change entirely when pluralized, such as "child" to "children" or "man" to "men".
• Be aware of irregular nouns that have the same form in both singular and plural, like "sheep" and "series".
• Remember that items considered as a group, like "furniture" or "luggage", are treated as singular.
  

By recognizing whether a noun is singular or plural, you can choose the correct verb form to use.

Pronoun Usage

Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns to avoid repetition and make sentences smoother. Correct pronoun usage is crucial for subject-verb agreement and overall clarity of writing.

• Pronouns such as "he", "she", "it", and "each" are singular and require singular verbs.
• Pronouns like "they", "we", and "both" are plural and require plural verbs.
• Carefully determine the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to). It should match with the pronoun in number and gender.
• Collective pronouns like "everyone" and "nobody" take singular verbs, even though they refer to groups.

Practicing pronoun usage helps ensure your sentences remain grammatically correct and easily understood.