Many of my notes, I am greatly afraid, will be thought a superfluity.—E. V. Lucas (quoted in Times review).
My notes may be a superfluity; many of my notes may be superfluous, or superfluities; or many a note of mine may be a superfluity; but it will hardly pass as it is.
5. Though nouns of multitude may be freely used with either a singular or a plural verb, or be referred to by pronouns of singular or plural meaning, they should not have both (except for special reasons and upon deliberation) in the same sentence; and words that will rank in one context as nouns of multitude may be very awkward if so used in another.
The public is naturally much impressed by this evidence, and in considering it do not make the necessary allowances.—Times.
The Times Brussels correspondent...tells us that the committee adds these words to their report.—Westminster Gazette.
The Grand Opera Syndicate has also made an important addition to their German tenors.—Westminster Gazette.
The only political party who could take office was that which...had consistently opposed the American war.—Bagehot.
As the race of man, after centuries of civilization, still keeps some traits of their barbarian fathers.—Stevenson.
The battleship Kniaz Potemkin, of which the crew is said to have mutinied and murdered their officers.—Times.
6. Neither, either, as pronouns, should always take a singular verb—a much neglected rule. So also every.
The conception is faulty for two reasons, neither of which are noticed by Plato.—Jowett.
...neither of which are very amiable motives for religious gratitude.—Thackeray.
He asked the gardener whether either of the ladies were at home.—Trollope.
Were, however, may be meant for the subjunctive, when it would be a fault of style, not of grammar.
I think almost every one of the Judges of the High Court are represented here.—Lord Halsbury.
Every Warwick institution, from the corporation to the schools and the almshouses, have joined hands in patriotic fellow-working.–Speaker.
