0
Taruns1008 Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
#1 A variety of pleasant items int the shop attract everybody.
#2 A wide variety of dishes is essential for a successful restaurant.
#3 A variety of side dishes make a good accompaniment to fish.
#4 A variety of dishes is/are being prepared.
As well as i know "A variety " takes singular verb.
Now my doubt is that in #1 and #3 it uses plural verb but in case of #2 it uses singular verb. In #4 it says both "is or are" is correct. why so?
that means in #1 and #3 it takes "items" and "dishes" as a subject respectively. i don't understand why? ("A variety" should be the subject.)
So does "A variety " takes singular or plural or both?
#2 A wide variety of dishes is essential for a successful restaurant.
#3 A variety of side dishes make a good accompaniment to fish.
#4 A variety of dishes is/are being prepared.
As well as i know "A variety " takes singular verb.
Now my doubt is that in #1 and #3 it uses plural verb but in case of #2 it uses singular verb. In #4 it says both "is or are" is correct. why so?
that means in #1 and #3 it takes "items" and "dishes" as a subject respectively. i don't understand why? ("A variety" should be the subject.)
So does "A variety " takes singular or plural or both?
Top answer
In some cases there is arguably a distinction in meaning. For example: A variety of side dishes make a good accompaniment to fish = Any of a number of choices of side dish would make a good accompaniment. A variety of side dishes makes a good accompaniment to fish = A collection of different side dishes all served together makes a good accompaniment.
- In some cases there is arguably a distinction in meaning.
- For example: A variety of side dishes make a good accompaniment to fish = Any of a number of choices of side dish would make a good accompaniment.
- A variety of side dishes makes a good accompaniment to fish = A collection of different side dishes all served together makes a good accompaniment.
- In contexts where this distinction does not apply, as in "A variety of dishes is/are being prepared", I think you may see both plural and singular verbs used.
- In these cases, singular may seem formally correct but verging on the pedantic in everyday English, whereas plural may feel more natural.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
In some cases there is arguably a distinction in meaning. For example:
A variety of side dishes make a good accompaniment to fish = Any of a number of choices of side dish would make a good accompaniment.
A variety of side dishes makes a good accompaniment to fish = A collection of different side dishes all served together makes a good accompaniment.
In con
A variety of side dishes make a good accompaniment to fish = Any of a number of choices of side dish would make a good accompaniment.
A variety of side dishes makes a good accompaniment to fish = A collection of different side dishes all served together makes a good accompaniment.
In con
00
GPY, could you please tell me in what sense you used In some cases, above? I want to know and understand when to use in some cases.I can't understand it from dictionary.I have seen it being used many times.I just can't understand.I would be grateful to you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
00
A "case" is an example or instance of something. "In some cases" means in certain instances.
0
Related Questions