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Jeff_999 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

A grammar question

The (water) of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans (make up) 70.8 percent (to) the Earth’s (surface).


The answer given is C.
Is it that "to" should be substituted by "of"?

Frankly I doubt it. I think "make up" is wrong used grammatically, and should be replaced by "makes up", since the Subject is "water" which is an uncountable.
  

Top answer

Hi Jeff, Yes, you need 'of', not 'to'. Yes, if 'water' is the subject, the verb should be 'makes up'. 'Water' is usually treated as uncountable, but not always when we are speaking of large bodies of water.

  • Hi Jeff, Yes, you need 'of', not 'to'.
  • Yes, if 'water' is the subject, the verb should be 'makes up'.
  • 'Water' is usually treated as uncountable, but not always when we are speaking of large bodies of water.
  • ' Clive
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1 Answers
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Hi Jeff,
Yes, you need 'of', not 'to'.

Yes, if 'water' is the subject, the verb should be 'makes up'.

'Water' is usually treated as uncountable, but not always when we are speaking of large bodies of water. You could very naturally also say 'The waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans make up .....'

Clive

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