Search results for 'tag:Verbs tag:Compound subjects' matching tags 'Verbs' and 'Compound subjects'

Re: influences

Avangi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:53:21 GMT

pructus
The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature.

It's not an easy sentence. You have a compound subject, so you'd think a plural verb would be required. If you said, "One of the important influences is that of nature," you'd easily accept that "influences" is not the subject, and you'd reject "One of the important influences are those of nature."

The first boy and the first girl are those who first complete their work without an error.

In the original, I almost want to say the second subject is in apposition to the first, but I don't think I can, since it really gives new information. (Maybe parenthetical (no pun intended))

- A.

Now I'm really getting confused. "The first influence on the mind and the first influence on the body is nature." (Never mind turning it around.)

Last year the winner of the Australian Open, and the winner of Wimbledon, and the winner of the US Open was Roger Federer. I guess logic trumps syntax. Never thought about it.

Re: Waking up by rolling around my bed

Avangi — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:25:23 GMT

I think so. You have a compound subject, "waking", and "sounds," so you require a plural verb, "were."

I would say, "in my bed."

It's difficult to parse this sentence, if I use the term correctly. It would read better if both subjects were the same part of speech, or "parallel," as they say.

- A.

Re: as

Avangi — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:12:19 GMT

A "while" clause usually answers the question "when," although it could have other uses. But that's the way we were using it in your example. So that makes the clause adverbial in function, modifying the verb.

"Since" is more like "because," and would be followed by a reason explaining something previously mentioned in the sentence - most likely not just a verb, but an idea.

The thing about the compound subject is, Yes, all three things are burning up the paycheck. What's new is that the "since" clause now applies only to the gas (where the "while" clause applied to all three via the verb).

- A.

(I hope MrP replies.)

Re: 'Is' or 'are'?

Avangi — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 05:42:11 GMT

I'm amused by the credit given to native speakers. We can say, "I've never heard such a thing," or "I'd say it this way," but that doesn't mean we know what's "correct."

For example, when I say, "Just between you and me, I think she's great," people from the next register are horrified. "NO, you mean "between you and I!" In other words, what we say and what sounds "right" to us are not necessarily "correct."

Concerning the present issue, whether a compound subject with "or" as a conjunction takes a singular or plural verb, I honestly have no idea. You can't solve questions of "what's accepted" by applying logic.

Re: Is this grammatically correct?

Avangi — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:07:56 GMT

Tbsukt wrote:
1) A new year is at the open with new joys and new opportunities. As they always say, carpe Diem, seize the day! Live each day to the fullest but never forget to save some time for both your bodies and souls to rest.

2) Your friendship and loyalty to one another inspires me. Cherish what you have, I trust you won't let anything or anyone come between you.

Any comments would be very appreciated

Thank you.

Hi.

You've created a new expression - "coined a new phrase!" It's perfectly clear what you mean by "at the open", but I've never heard it. I hate to mess with your poetry. Perhaps, "A new year presents/offers a new opening for new joys and new opportunities." (Too many "new's"?) "A new year is wide open for new joys and new opportunities." [You'll just have to find something else that works for you.]

You'll probably need quotes around "carpe Diem." I really don't know what's supposed to be capitalized there, or what the correct form is for setting off the translation.

In the imperative the subject is understood to be "you", but is it singular or plural? "Bodies and souls" catches me off guard. I would have expected singular.

2. Compound subject needs the plural verb. I think you have three sentences here, unless you want to use a semi-colon.

Regards, - A.

Re: In the garden is/are a cat, a dog, and a rabit.

Yoong Liat — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 06:43:27 GMT

Hi Teo

I hope the following will be helpful.

In BrE, it should be There is a cat and a dog.

Below is the information extracted from two books on English usage. The first book is on British English usage, the second on American English usage.

'The Right Word at the Right Time' states as follows:

There is an apple and pears for dessert.

There are apples and a pear for dessert.

'Merriam-Webster 'Guide to English Usage' states as follows:

When a compound subject follows the verb and the first element is singular, the verb may be either singular or plural.

There is a lake and several small streams.

There are a dog and a few cats in the house.

The singular construction is more common. Still, some writers insist on formal agreement and use a plural verb: There were an apartment house and a parking lot at the end of the block.

Best regards

Re: 'does not' and 'do not'

Grammar Geek — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:14:19 GMT

The limitation and the damage - compound subject linked by and, so use the plural form of the verb, do.

(Does the contract really impose damage?)

Re: learning grammar - When, Why, etc...

Grammar Geek — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:41:58 GMT

I can only tell you my experiences as a parent.

My older daugher is 10. This year, she brought home papers in which she had to identify things like the simple subject, the complete subject, the simple predicate, the complete predicate, etc. She also had exercises last year on whether something was a predicate nominiative or predicate adjective. (Personally, I find these rather pointless.)

However, I was lucky enough to spend a good amount of time in her "language arts" classes last year (as a guest editor) and found that the emphasis is in coherent writing, a logical flow to the writing, etc. The students would do peer editing for things like capitalization, puncturation, and subject/verb agreement. Then final drafts are given to the teacher who includes corrections on the mechanics of grammar as well as the content of the essay. If several students seem to make the same type of mistake, the teacher would review - for example, rules about capitalization.

I haven't yet observed things like "None always takes a singular verb" or "Make the verb agree with last subject when you have a compound subject joined by 'or' " so I don't know if that is past, or future, or simply assumed and corrected as writing pieces are turned in.

However, my daughter was easily able to recite when you use "I" or "me" yesterday when someone (not me!) asked her about it.

I've been impressed with the teaching so far - the emphasis has been on being able to clearly communicate your ideas, but it doesn't allow for sloppy mechanics in fnal versions either.

Re: The "boy and girls" rule

Mister Micawber — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:33:08 GMT

The 'rule' is that the verb agrees in number with the proximal (nearest) noun of the compound subject. But it doesn't work with 'and'-- it works with 'or':

A boy or three girls are meeting me at the station.
Three girls or a boy is meeting me at the station.

But:

Three girls and a boy are meeting me at the station.

Re: Noun phrases

Grammar Geek — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:10:20 GMT

Yes Are ~~([or is??)~~ the following acceptable?

Passing exams IS important to me. Yes

Passing exams and enjoying college ARE important to me. Yes

Supporting the Dallas Cowboys IS importing to Matt and Greg Yes

Playing football and basketball MEANS a lot to Greg The next two depend if you think of the playing as the main verb, with two things to play, or if you think of playing football and playing basketball as a compound subject.

Playing football and playing basketball MEAN a lot to Greg