Today's English lesson

From the American Heritage Book of English Usage:


There's More Than One
Way to Look at This



Here’s a riddle: How can you have more than one and still have only one? The answer: When you are skinning a cat. When a noun phrase contains more than one and a singular noun, the verb is normally singular:

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

More than one editor is working on that project.

More than one field has been planted with oats.

When more than one is followed by of and a plural noun, the verb is plural:

More than one of the paintings were stolen.

More than one of the cottages are for sale.

When more than one stands alone, it usually takes a singular verb, but it may take a plural verb if the notion of multiplicity predominates:

The operating rooms are all in good order.

More than one is (or are) equipped with the latest imaging technology.