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Yellowstarstruck Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Equal versus Equals
Hi! Are these all acceptable? Thanks, Fulvio
A one plus one equals two.
B zero plus zero equals zero.
C five plus five is equal to ten.
So the only time you could use equal is if you put "is" before it?
Is equals a word of Latin origin?
A one plus one equals two.
B zero plus zero equals zero.
C five plus five is equal to ten.
So the only time you could use equal is if you put "is" before it?
Is equals a word of Latin origin?
Top answer
No, when used as verb (to equal) it has the same formation as other verbs. " For example: Together they equal massive stupidity. But I think it is rare to have a plural subject because "equal" usually refers to a one-to-one relationship.
- No, when used as verb (to equal) it has the same formation as other verbs.
- " For example: Together they equal massive stupidity.
- But I think it is rare to have a plural subject because "equal" usually refers to a one-to-one relationship.
- My dictionary says, yes, it is a Middle English word taken from Latin.
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2 Answers
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No, when used as verb (to equal) it has the same formation as other verbs. "One plus one" is being treated as a single subject (the sum), so it has "equals." If you have a plural subject, you would get "equals."
For example:
Together they equal massive stupidity.
But I think it is rare to have a plural subject because "equal" usually refers to a one-to-one relationship.
My d
For example:
Together they equal massive stupidity.
But I think it is rare to have a plural subject because "equal" usually refers to a one-to-one relationship.
My d
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Sorry, forgot to answer your first question. Yes, they are all acceptable, common expressions.
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