Anonymous  +  924932 Fri, 02 Oct 09 11:44 AM Which is correct: "not only Kosaka but also Sakamoto was a realist"  or "not only Kosaka but also Sakamoto were realists"?   Similarly, "not only the trainer but also the trainees were qualified"  or "not only the trainer but also the trainees was qualified"? Anonymous Plurals, Training

	Yankee  +  924944 Fri, 02 Oct 09 12:27 PM Hi Anon I'd use "was a realist" in your first sentence, and in your second sentence I'd use "were qualified". I think I'd follow the same sort of rule we use for "or" in this case:  the use of the singular or plural form of the verb is determined by the noun closest to the verb. What your sentences mean are: - Kosaka was a realist, and so was Sakamoto. - The trainer was qualified, and so were the trainees. Yankee Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006 Connecticut, USA Veteran Member 6,500 Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain Plurals, Nouns, Sentences, Training

	Cool Breeze  +  925008 Fri, 02 Oct 09 02:23 PM Anonymous “"not only Kosaka but also Sakamoto were realists"? ” Not good. I would say: Both Kosaka and Sakamoto were realists. CB Cool Breeze Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006 Senior Member 3,978 "I hope you'll all live to be 150 years old - and the last voice you hear is mine!" Frank Sinatra on stage in Oslo, Norway, 28 September 1991 Plurals

	Yankee  +  925731 Sat, 03 Oct 09 02:20 AM Cool Breeze “ Anonymous “"not only Kosaka but also Sakamoto were realists"? ” Not good. ” My sentiments exactly, CB. Well, to be honest, not "exactly". Your comment was a bit more mildly put than my actual sentiments. Yankee Plurals