What this discussion demonstrates is that simple rules are not always quite
so simple, and that conceptual understanding trumps a literal application
of rules.

The simple rule is: "A verb must agree in number with the head noun of the
subject."

Taken literally, we'd have to say "an estimated 210,000 *gallons *a day *are
*coming" [we also wouldn't be able to use "an"] and "a *slew *of officials *has
*been exposed." But in the former we are not picturing individual gallons
but a mass of oil. The reverse is true in the latter, where we see
individuals, not a mass.

We can illustrate this notion with the following sentences, where a change
in the verb's number alters meaning:

     1. Six glasses of wine is bad.
     2. Six glasses of wine are bad.

The first, we're thinking an overindulgence resulting in inebriation; the
second, a critique at a wine tasting.

Dick



On Sun, Jan 20, 2013 at 2:27 AM, John Chorazy
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> Without my own comments on these sentences or a longer preface, I'll just
> submit them and ask for your thoughts on subject/verb agreement. Thank
> you...
>
>
> According to NOAA, an estimated 210,000 gallons (5,000 barrels) a day is
> coming from the remaining ruptures (PBS).
>
>
>
> In recent months, a slew of low-level Communist officials as well as a
> few high ranking ones —most notably the vice party chief of the
> southwestern province of Sichuan, Li Chuncheng — have been exposed by
> local media and dismissed from their positions after their sexual
> peccadilloes came to light (NBC News).
>

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