Exercise 13. Explain why the predicate — verb is used in the singular or in the plural.
1. The family were still at table, but they had finished breakfast. (Twain) 2. There was a crowd of soldiers along the fence in the infield. (Hemingway) 3.... the band was stopped, the crowd were partially quieted, and Horatio Fizkin, Esquire, was permitted to proceed. (Dickens) 4. Down by the Embankment... a band of unemployed were trailing dismally with money-boxes. (Galsworthy) 5. The multitude have something else to do than to read hearts and interpret dark sayings. (Ch. Bronte) 6. The newly married pair, on their arrival in Harley Street, Cavendish Square, London were received by the chief butler. (Dickens) 7. There was a dreaminess, a preoccupation, an exaltation, in the maternal look which the girl could not understand. (Hardy) 8. The company arecool and calm. (Dickens) 9. As of old, nineteen hours of labour a day was all too little to suit him. (London) 10. There were still two hours of daylight before them. (Aldington) 11. At last they came into a maze of dust, where a quantity of people were tumbling over one another... (Dickens) 12. Tom's whole class were of a pattern-restless, noisy and troublesome. (Twain) 13. A group of men were standing guarded by carabinieri. (Hemingway) 14. The loving couple were no longer happy. (Reade)