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Usenet Posted 20 years ago
Usage
"are" versus "is"
While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are here" and "The goat is here") I am having difficulty with it in another context.
Which sentence is correct, because I've seen it used both ways?
1. The ambulance crew is unavailable to attend to the patient.
2. The ambulance crew are unavailable to attend to the patient.
In this case, "crew" denotes two individuals. Suggestions?
Which sentence is correct, because I've seen it used both ways?
1. The ambulance crew is unavailable to attend to the patient.
2. The ambulance crew are unavailable to attend to the patient.
In this case, "crew" denotes two individuals. Suggestions?
Top answer
On 22 Aug 2006 13:36:02 -0700, "Policy Analyst" [nq:1]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are here" and "The goat is ... patient. 2.
- On 22 Aug 2006 13:36:02 -0700, "Policy Analyst" [nq:1]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are here" and "The goat is ...
- patient.
- 2.
- The ambulance crew are unavailable to attend to the patient.
- In this case, "crew" denotes two individuals.
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22 Answers
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On 22 Aug 2006 13:36:02 -0700, "Policy Analyst"
[nq:1]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are here" and "The goat is ... patient. 2. The ambulance crew are unavailable to attend to the patient. In this case, "crew" denotes two individuals. Suggestions?[/nq]
Are you in the UK or in the USA? The former sounds American, the latter Brit.
** D
[nq:1]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are here" and "The goat is ... patient. 2. The ambulance crew are unavailable to attend to the patient. In this case, "crew" denotes two individuals. Suggestions?[/nq]
Are you in the UK or in the USA? The former sounds American, the latter Brit.
** D
00
[nq:1]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are here" and "The goat is ... patient. 2. The ambulance crew are unavailable to attend to the patient. In this case, "crew" denotes two individuals. Suggestions?[/nq]
This is primarily a difference between British and American usage.
Standard AmEng usage treats a group as singular, and thus would onl
This is primarily a difference between British and American usage.
Standard AmEng usage treats a group as singular, and thus would onl
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[nq:1]On 22 Aug 2006, Policy Analyst wrote[/nq]
If I may answer a question that hasn't been asked, Americans will nevertheless use a plural pronoun almost invariably in a sentence like the example with an extension: "The ambulance crew is unavailable now, but they will be here in about half an hour." Illogical, perhaps, but standard American idiom.
(Remainder snipped because it covers ever
If I may answer a question that hasn't been asked, Americans will nevertheless use a plural pronoun almost invariably in a sentence like the example with an extension: "The ambulance crew is unavailable now, but they will be here in about half an hour." Illogical, perhaps, but standard American idiom.
(Remainder snipped because it covers ever
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[nq:1]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward (for example, "The goats are up my ***" or "The goat is up my ***") I am having trouble..[/nq]
The second example appears in singular context, i.e., one goat is up your ***. In your second example, there are a minimum of two goats up your ***, perhaps many more! Regardless, both verbs are "linking"; they don't express an action,
The second example appears in singular context, i.e., one goat is up your ***. In your second example, there are a minimum of two goats up your ***, perhaps many more! Regardless, both verbs are "linking"; they don't express an action,
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[nq:1]Just remember that "is" is for one; "are" is for more than one.[/nq]
It seems you is almost right.
Alec McKenzie
usenet@.me.uk
It seems you is almost right.
Alec McKenzie
usenet@.me.uk
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[nq:2]While the use of "are" and "is" is usually straightforward ... "The goat is up my ***") I am having trouble..[/nq]
[nq:1]The second example appears in singular context, i.e., one goat is up your ***. In your second example, there are ... A lot of folks living on that tiny island nation called England (Ingleterra obsoleta) become confused with singular vs plural[/nq]
HAVE become, or B
[nq:1]The second example appears in singular context, i.e., one goat is up your ***. In your second example, there are ... A lot of folks living on that tiny island nation called England (Ingleterra obsoleta) become confused with singular vs plural[/nq]
HAVE become, or B
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(groups trimmed to aeu and aue)
[nq:1]Upon reflection, I don't think I'll be taking lessons in grammar from someone as clearly a roaring *** as yourself, "Colonel".[/nq]
Are we opening a book on which *** is using the "Colonel" identity as a sockpuppet or has he just wandered in from the penpals group?
Cheers, Harvey
Canadian and British English, indiscriminately mixed For e-m
[nq:1]Upon reflection, I don't think I'll be taking lessons in grammar from someone as clearly a roaring *** as yourself, "Colonel".[/nq]
Are we opening a book on which *** is using the "Colonel" identity as a sockpuppet or has he just wandered in from the penpals group?
Cheers, Harvey
Canadian and British English, indiscriminately mixed For e-m
00
(groups trimmed to aeu and aue)
****..not trimmed on the first try, so I've tried cancelling that to try it again; trimmed this time.
[nq:1]Upon reflection, I don't think I'll be taking lessons in grammar from someone as clearly a roaring *** as yourself, "Colonel".[/nq]
Are we opening a book on which *** is using the "Colonel" identity as a sockpuppet or has he just wandered in from t
****..not trimmed on the first try, so I've tried cancelling that to try it again; trimmed this time.
[nq:1]Upon reflection, I don't think I'll be taking lessons in grammar from someone as clearly a roaring *** as yourself, "Colonel".[/nq]
Are we opening a book on which *** is using the "Colonel" identity as a sockpuppet or has he just wandered in from t
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[nq:1](groups trimmed to aeu and aue) On 23 Aug 2006, Will wrote[/nq]
[nq:2]Upon reflection, I don't think I'll be taking lessons in grammar from someone as clearly a roaring *** as yourself, "Colonel".[/nq]
[nq:1]Are we opening a book on which *** is using the "Colonel" identity as a sockpuppet or has he just wandered in from the penpals group?[/nq]
My money's on Hines, D. Spencer - l
[nq:2]Upon reflection, I don't think I'll be taking lessons in grammar from someone as clearly a roaring *** as yourself, "Colonel".[/nq]
[nq:1]Are we opening a book on which *** is using the "Colonel" identity as a sockpuppet or has he just wandered in from the penpals group?[/nq]
My money's on Hines, D. Spencer - l
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[nq:2](groups trimmed to aeu and aue) On 23 Aug 2006, ... or has he just wandered in from the penpals group?[/nq]
[nq:1]My money's on Hines, D. Spencer - late and entirely unlamented *** of this parish.[/nq]
You grabbed that quick I've tried to cancel it, as I sent it before trimming soc.penpals.
(I've re-sent that one, and trimmed this one to aeu/aue as well.)
Cheers, Harvey
[nq:1]My money's on Hines, D. Spencer - late and entirely unlamented *** of this parish.[/nq]
You grabbed that quick I've tried to cancel it, as I sent it before trimming soc.penpals.
(I've re-sent that one, and trimmed this one to aeu/aue as well.)
Cheers, Harvey
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