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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Bow and arrow - is vs. are

Hello,

Could you please advise which of the following is correct?

A. ...bow and arrow is...
B. ...bow and arrow are...

I googled these phrase in quotes, but I wonder why A has far more matches than B. Isn't it that when nouns are joined by 'and', that makes it plural? If so, 'are' is correct. I'm confused. Please enlighten me. Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, Could you please advise which of the following is correct? A. bow and arrow is ...

— Clive

  • Hi, Could you please advise which of the following is correct?
  • A.
  • bow and arrow is ...
  • The writer is thinking of the two items as a single unit, because of their very close relationship.
  • eg A bow and arrow is a very primitive weapon.
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6 Answers
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Hi,

Could you please advise which of the following is correct?

A. ...bow and arrow is... The writer is thinking of the two items as a single unit, because of their very close relationship.

eg A bow and arrow is a very primitive weapon.

Here's another example.

eg In restaurants, fish and chips is very popular.
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Hi Clive,

Would you say then that both A and B are correct and it just depends on the context or how the writer is viewing the items whether as a single unit or individually?

Thank you for the explanations.
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Hi again,



Yes, I would.



Having said that, I would add that A and B usually have to have an accepted or understandable closeness.

eg Don't say things like 'A bow and jelly-fish is a primitive weapon'.
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Hi again, too,

I can see what you mean. Thanks.
CliveA bow and jelly-fish is a primitive weapon
This sounds very odd. LOL.
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Hi,



Treat them as two separate items.

eg A bow and a jelly fish are primitive weapons.



Clive
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OK, that was very much clearer. I think I have no further questions. Thank you. Emotion: smile
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