Which Verb is More Suitable: 'Come' or 'Comes' in the Sentence 'He is the Only One of the Boys Who...'

Choosing the correct verb between the plural 'come' and the singular 'comes' in sentences like 'He is the only one of the boys who come/comes here' can be a common source of confusion. Correct verb agreement is crucial for clear communication and proper sentence structure. Let's explore the nuances and the most appropriate choice in this sentence.

Understanding Verb Agreement

In sentences, we often face the challenge of matching the verb with the closest noun in number, which may lead us to use 'come' with 'boys.' However, the sentence structure and the meaning of the sentence dictate a more specific choice. The subject is 'He,' which is singular, and thus the verb should match.

The Case Against 'Come'

People sometimes argue that since 'boys' is plural, 'come' should be used. However, in the sentence 'He is the only one of the boys who come/comes here,' it is not the closest noun to the verb that is the subject but the entire phrase 'the only one of the boys.' This phrase dictates the singular form 'comes.' Consider the following:

"He is the only one of the boys who come/comes here."

The confusion arises because there's a tendency to focus on the nearest noun, which is 'boys.' However, the correct subject is 'the only one of the boys,' a singular phrase. Therefore, the appropriate form is 'comes.'

Rearranging for Clarity

To ensure clarity and correctness, it's often beneficial to rearrange the sentence. Moving 'He' to the beginning of the sentence can help make the subject more explicit, thus simplifying the verb choice:

"Of all the boys, he is the only one who comes here.

This rearrangement clarifies that 'he' is the singular element and, consequently, 'comes' is the correct verb form.

Contextual Explanation

Further emphasizing the importance of 'comes,' we can see when it is appropriate to use 'come' or 'comes' in similar sentences. For instance:

In this context, 'comes' is correctly used in the first instance, while 'come' is appropriate in the second and third sentences. Only in the fourth sentence, where a singular subject identifies with a plural group, do we revert to 'come.'

Conclusion

Choosing the correct verb form requires attention to subject-verb agreement and a clear understanding of the sentence structure. By focusing on the main subject and using appropriate rephrasing, we can ensure our sentences are clear and grammatically correct. In summary, for the sentence 'He is the only one of the boys who come/comes here,' the correct form is:

"He is the only one of the boys who comes here."