"
2. When the singular nominative of a complex sentence, has another
noun joined to it with a preposition, it is customary to put the
verb and pronoun agreeing with it in the singular; as, "Prosperity
with humility, _renders its_ possessor truly amiable;" "The General,
also, in conjunction with the officers, _has_ applied for redress."
FALSE SYNTAX.
Coffee and sugar grows in the West Indies: it is exported in large
quantities.
Two singular nouns coupled together, form a plural idea. The verb _grow_
is improper, because it expresses the action of both its nominatives,
"coffee and sugar," which two nominatives are connected by the
copulative conjunction, _and_; therefore the verb should be plural,
_grow_; and then it would agree with coffee _and_ sugar, according to
Rule 8. (Repeat the Rule.) The pronoun _it_, as it represents both the
nouns, "coffee and sugar," ought also to be plural, _they_, agreeably to
Rule 8. The sentence should be written thus. "Coffee and sugar _grow_ in
the West Indies: _they are_ exported in large quantities."
Time and tide waits for no man.
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