Subject-Verb Agreement

Question

I faced this sentence in the Manhattan SC strategy guide: "No matter how much work it may require, getting an MBA is an investment that pays off for most people". Up to the guide the sentence is grammatically correct, but my question is why don't we need to add S to the verb (require) as the subject is singular (using the pronoun it)?

Thanks!

jwang516 · Answer

may is considered a modal auxiliary and any verb that comes after a model auxiliary should be in its root form. so '...may require...' would be correct.

Other examples include: will, must etc.
For example: the right sentence is "She will go" rather than "She will goes" OR "he must stand on the table" instead of "he must stands on the table"

Honestly....the easiest way to note the difference is just using your ear. "May requires" just sounds awkward.

oryahalom · Answer

jwang516  - is there any source that piled the most prevalent auxiliaries?

jwang516 · Answer

Here is a good explanation. I don't remember, but if you are using Manhattan Prep, I think Manhattan Prep may refer them as "helping verbs" https://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/auxiliary.htm

Alankrita26 · Answer

No matter how much work it may require , getting an MBA turns out to be a
wise investment for most people.
Even though it requires much work

Why is the change unjustified ?
Its the first question from Manhattan.

LauraTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi oryahalom,

When a verb is preceded by the helping verb "may," you always use the base form of the verb. So "require" is correct in "it may require."

Subject-Verb Agreement

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