verb (3)

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Tung Quoc

#276136 Wed, 04 Oct 06 06:53 PM

Please choose the correct sentences:

1. They and Fred goes to the cinema.
2. They and Fred go to the cinema.
3. They or Fred goes to the cinema.
4. They or Fred go to the cinema.

Quoc
PS: Please tell me the rule.Thanks.

Tung Quoc

Joined on Sun, Sep 17 2006

Regular Member (870)

Verbs

Inchoateknowledge

#276151 Wed, 04 Oct 06 07:16 PM

2,3

"Fred and they" is a compound noun -- plural, irrespective of sequence of nouns

Fred or they go to the cinema

but

They or Fred goes...

Inchoateknowledge

Joined on Wed, May 3 2006

Senior Member (2,528)

Beep! Beep! :)

Verbs, Plurals, Nouns

Grammar Geek

#276155 Wed, 04 Oct 06 07:20 PM

First, these are all highly unnatural sounding.

However, if you are looking for a plural/singular rules, with an AND use the plural form of the verb, and with an OR, make the verb agree with the subject that is closer.

The two girls and Fred are...

Either the two girls or Fred is...

Either Fred or the two girls are...

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,622)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Verbs, Plurals

Marius Hancu

#276245 Thu, 05 Oct 06 02:20 AM

1. Not OK.
2. OK.
Reason: AND.
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When two singular subjects are joined by and, the verb is normally plural.

Alice and Bob are going to be late.

Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
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This is of course all the more valid for plural subjects, as your "they" here.

3. OK.
4. Not OK
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Reason: OR.
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When two subjects are joined by or, the verb is normally usually singular if the 2nd subject is singular, and plural if it is plural. Compare:

The room's too crowded -- either two chairs or a table has got to be moved out.
The room's too crowded -- either a table or two chairs have got to be moved out.

Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
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Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

Verbs, Plurals