Verb Agreement With mnogo
Verb Agreement with Quantities
After mnogo, malo, nekoliko and five or more, the verb is neuter singular; after two to four, it is plural.
How It Works
The textbook rule is easy to remember.
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mnogo, malo, nekoliko | neuter singular | Mnogo ljudi je došlo. |
| 5 and up | neuter singular | Šest turista je došlo. |
| 2, 3, 4 | plural | Dva čovjeka su došla. |
The noun after the quantity word is in the genitive: ljudi, turista, čovjeka.
With dva, tri, četiri the participle ends in -a for a masculine noun (došla) and -e for a feminine one (otišle).
In everyday speech people often say the plural for large numbers too: Mnogo ljudi su došli. The singular is the textbook standard and the safe choice in writing. Do not be surprised when you hear the plural.
Examples (4)
- Mnogo djece je bilo u parku.
Many children were in the park.
Mnogo gives a neuter singular verb.
- Malo kafe je ostalo.
A little coffee is left.
Malo works the same way.
- Šest turista je došlo u Počitelj.
Six tourists came to Počitelj.
Six and up use the neuter singular.
- Tri sestre su otišle u Zenicu.
Three sisters went to Zenica.
Tri takes a plural verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Quantity subjects take singular verbs.
Related Patterns
Practice Verb Agreement With mnogo in Bubblegum
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