Anonymous  +  179682 Fri, 06 Jan 06 01:30 PM Singular or plural in this sentence: "The main issue in this area is/are the estimates." I can't decide whether "estimates" or "main issue" is the subject. Any help appreciated. Tor Anonymous Plurals

	Mister Micawber  +  179704 Fri, 06 Jan 06 02:59 PM Main issue is the subject.  The main issue is the estimates. If you wish to avoid the awkwardness, rephrase to something like:  The main issue is the set of estimates. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,788 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	pieanne  +  179705 Fri, 06 Jan 06 03:00 PM "The main issue" is the subject, so the verb will be in the singular. If you reverse the sentence, it will be in the plural: "the estimates are the main issue". Sorry, MM, I hadn't heard you!  pieanne Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005 South of France ...But I'm Belgian! Veteran Member 7,517 I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos... Verbs, Plurals