24. If that _is be_ his motive, he is unworthy.
25. Though this _seem seems_ improbable, it is true.
26. If a speech _is be_ praised by none but literary men, it is bad.
27. If the father _pays pay_ the debt, he will be released.
28. Though Mary _be is_ young, she is a writer of note.
29. Unless he _takes take_ better care of his health, he will die.
30. If he _be is_ honest, he has not shown it.
31. If he _be is_ honest, he will insist on paying me.
32. If he ever _tell tells_ the truth, he conceals the fact.

61. AGREEMENT OF VERB WITH ITS SUBJECT. THE VERB SHOULD AGREE WITH
ITS SUBJECT IN PERSON AND NUMBER. The most frequent error is the
failure of the verb to agree in number with its subject. Singular
subjects are used with plural verbs, and plural subjects with singular
verbs. These errors arise chiefly from a misapprehension of the
true number of the subject.

The s-form of the verb is the only distinct singular form, and
occurs only in the third person, singular, present indicative;
as, _He runs, she goes, it moves_. _Is, was_, and _has_ are the
singular forms of the auxiliaries. _Am_ is used only with a subject
in the first person, and is not a source of confusion. The other
auxiliaries have no singular forms.

Failure of the verb and its subject to agree in person seldom occurs,
and so can cause little confusion.

Examine the following correct forms of agreement of verb and subject:

A barrel of clothes WAS shipped (not _were shipped_).

A man and a woman HAVE been here (not _has been here_).

Boxes ARE scarce (not _is scarce_).

When WERE the brothers here (not _when was_)?

62. AGREEMENT OF SUBJECT AND VERB IN NUMBER. The general rule to
be borne in mind in regard to number, is that IT IS THE MEANING
AND NOT THE FORM OF THE SUBJECT THAT DETERMINES WHETHER TO USE THE
SINGULAR OR THE PLURAL FORM OF THE VERB. This rule also applies
to the use of singular or plural pronouns.

Many nouns plural in form are singular in meaning; as, _politics,
measles, news_, etc.

Many, also, are treated as plurals, though in meaning they are singular;
as, _forceps, tongs, trousers_.

Some nouns, singular in form, are, according to the sense in which,
they are used, either singular or plural in meaning; as, _committee,
family, pair, jury, assembly, means_. The following sentences are
all correct: _The assembly has closed its meeting, The assembly
are all total abstainers, The whole family is a famous one,