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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Does a parenthetical "as well as" pluralize a previously singular subject
In other words, does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb:
"Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?"
My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). So I'll let you guys tell me what's right.
Thanks
"Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?"
My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). So I'll let you guys tell me what's right.
Thanks
Top answer
" My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). [/nq] My British ear says that the focus of this construction is firmly on Bob rather than both of them, so use "is". This has an American tang, however.
- " My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-).
- [/nq] My British ear says that the focus of this construction is firmly on Bob rather than both of them, so use "is".
- This has an American tang, however.
- I'd say that it can only be used if the hearer should already be aware that John is going to the store.
- Matti
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7 Answers
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[nq:1]In other words, does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb: "Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?" My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). So I'll let you guys tell me what's right.[/nq]
My British ear says that the focus of this construction is firmly on Bob rather than both of them, so use "is". This has an American tang, howe
My British ear says that the focus of this construction is firmly on Bob rather than both of them, so use "is". This has an American tang, howe
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[nq:1]"Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store("?)[/nq]
I say "is".
A trickier case is that of a parenthetical "and".
"Bob (and all his brothers) is/are going to the store"?
I think "is" is preferable here, too, but I'm not comfortable with it.
Mark Brader Safire's Rule on Who-Whom:
Toronto "Whenever 'whom' sounds correct, recast the sentence." (Email Removed)
I say "is".
A trickier case is that of a parenthetical "and".
"Bob (and all his brothers) is/are going to the store"?
I think "is" is preferable here, too, but I'm not comfortable with it.
Mark Brader Safire's Rule on Who-Whom:
Toronto "Whenever 'whom' sounds correct, recast the sentence." (Email Removed)
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Tim asked:
[nq:1]Does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb: "Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?"[/nq]
It appears that Bob is going to the store as well as John is, so I'd say singular.
Yes, I know, I know. Oh well.
[nq:1]Does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb: "Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?"[/nq]
It appears that Bob is going to the store as well as John is, so I'd say singular.
Yes, I know, I know. Oh well.
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Tim Burns wrote on 18 Aug 2004:
[nq:1]In other words, does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb: "Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?" My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). So I'll let you guys tell me what's right.[/nq]
Your ear is correct. It has to be "is". The parenthetical remark is, well, parenthetical and has no effect
[nq:1]In other words, does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb: "Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?" My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). So I'll let you guys tell me what's right.[/nq]
Your ear is correct. It has to be "is". The parenthetical remark is, well, parenthetical and has no effect
00
[nq:1]In other words, does the following simple sentence require a singular or plural verb: "Bob, as well as John, is/are going to the store?" My ear tells me "is," but I'm often punctuationally deaf :-). So I'll let you guys tell me what's right. Thanks[/nq]
I would say that you're right. The test I would apply would be to try the sentence without the parenthesis and see if the result still s
I would say that you're right. The test I would apply would be to try the sentence without the parenthesis and see if the result still s
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Mark Brader premed:
[nq:1]A trickier case is that of a parenthetical "and". "Bob (and all his brothers) is/are going to the store"? I think "is" is preferable here, too, but I'm not comfortable with it.[/nq]
For my money, the phrase in parentheses is not parenthetical.
Peter Moylan peter at ee dot newcastle dot edu dot au
[nq:1]A trickier case is that of a parenthetical "and". "Bob (and all his brothers) is/are going to the store"? I think "is" is preferable here, too, but I'm not comfortable with it.[/nq]
For my money, the phrase in parentheses is not parenthetical.
Peter Moylan peter at ee dot newcastle dot edu dot au
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[nq:1]A trickier case is that of a parenthetical "and". "Bob (and all his brothers) is/are going to the store"? I think "is" is preferable here, too, but I'm not comfortable with it.[/nq]
Apparently contradicting my earlier post, I think your example can only be right with "are". Since that earlier post doesn't seem to have shown up yet: I claimed that in the OP's example, because you could re
Apparently contradicting my earlier post, I think your example can only be right with "are". Since that earlier post doesn't seem to have shown up yet: I claimed that in the OP's example, because you could re
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