http://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3616.28671)http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#444216Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:09:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:444216Liveinjapan0http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#444216http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-444216.xmlThank you all. CalifJim wrote: This is an equative sentence, so it has no object; an inspiration is a subject complement. Philip wrote: I think the plual sounds awkward. You could substitute 'inspirational' if you wanted to get rid of 'an'. I understand. LiJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#444209Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:09:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:444209CalifJim1http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#444209http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-444209.xmlWhat I don&#39;t understand is whether I can put &#39;an inspiration&#39; as an object. This is an equative sentence, so it has no object; an inspiration is a subject complement. Yes, you can have two or more things &#39;equal&#39; to one. The use of are is technically correct, but if you said is instead of are , hardly anyone would notice. According to some, frequent heat waves and mild winters are a sign of global warming. Greenhouse gas emissions and the polluted air that results from them are a problem. Intelligence and persistence are the key to success. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#444077Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:09:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:444077Philip2http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#444077http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-444077.xmlYoong Liat wrote: His courage and determination are an inspiration to us all. The sentence is correct; an inspiration is fine. I think the plual sounds awkward. You could substitute 'inspirational' if you wanted to get rid of 'an'.http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#443982Tue, 26 May 2009 16:09:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:443982Yoong Liat3http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htm#443982http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-443982.xmlHis courage and determination are an inspiration to us all. The sentence is correct; an inspiration is fine.http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htmTue, 26 May 2009 16:09:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:443980Liveinjapan4http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plural/zzgvw/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-443980.xmlHis courage and determination are an inspiration to us all. I know what this means, but I don't know if the words '..are an inspiration' is correct? Maybe correct and sounds natural. The word 'courage' and 'determination' are uncountable nouns. The subject of the sentence needs a plural verb due to the verb agreement. What I don't understand is whether I can put 'an inspiration' as an object. Thanks LiJ