Taka wrote: |
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So, when gerunds are perceived as separate activities, the compound are plural.
What about compound subjects of infinitives? Are they also treated as plural when perceived as separate activities?
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It seems so to me:
1. To swim and to run is a fine form of exercise. ] viewed as one activity.
2. To swim and to run are fine forms of exercise. ] viewed as two activities.
The idea of swimming and running as a single activity may seem strange; but not in the context of e.g. a triathlon, where the prize-giver might say:
3. To swim 750m, cycle 20km, and then run 5km in 1 hour, 39 mins and 48 seconds is a splendid achievement. It is an honour and a privilege to award you the First Prize: a year's supply of deep-fried Mars Bars. <sustained applause from runners-up>
MrP