Does the verb after 'a set of + plural noun' agree with 'set' or 'noun'? For example:
'Law is a set of rules that govern/governs society.'
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books.google.com/ngrams/…– mplungjanSep 24, 2013 at 5:55
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2 Answers
In a main clause where "a set of rules" is the subject, the verb should be singular to agree with "set" (the head of the noun phrase):
A set of rules governs society.
In your example, you build a relative clause that can refer to either "set or "rules". Hence, both are possible with a minute shift in meaning.
Singular, the verb agreeing with "set":
...a set of rules which governs socitey
means
There is a set of rules, and this set governs society.
Plural, the verb agreeing with "rules":
...a set of rules which govern society
means
There is a set of rules, and these rules govern society.
It should be followed by govern because it doesn't follow a set but rules, which is plural.
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I did not vote you down, but your example is not optimal. Try it with "The Indian Nation is a group of peoples who want(s) to gain a voice in the community" Sep 24, 2013 at 5:57
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Ditto with mplungjan. Group can be treated as a plural and there's is simply a dummy marker. But in the OP's example, the initial Law is does not function like There's and set is generally treated as a single unit.– Andrew Leach ♦Sep 24, 2013 at 6:47
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Andrew is correct. "The bloodhound gang, is a group of guys who want(s) to talk to you" - there is an expression in grammar I cannot remember where the s before the word in question begs plural Sep 24, 2013 at 6:48