Correct grammar from Mythbusters prologue?

Question

As Adam Savage introduces the show Mythbusters, telling viewers not to try anything they see at home, he says: "We've got thirty years of experience that keeps us safe."  My wife thinks he would be correct to say "...years of experience that KEEP us safe" (that "keep" should agree with "years"), but I believe he's correct to say "keeps" (and agree with "experience").  Who's right?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

You are. Years can't keep anyone safe, but experience certainly can.

CJ

Dub273 · Answer

I appreciate your prompt response, doubly so since you agreed with me.  <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>  Assuming we don't have any dissenters among the other gurus, I'll be marking the question as 'resolved' and passing along hearty thanks.

Anonymous · Answer

Your wife is right. The verb keep belongs with the subject years because "of experience" is a prepositional phrase and a subject can never be found in a prepositional phrase. So it should be "keep us safe".

Correct grammar from Mythbusters prologue?

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