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Wilder Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

His wit and eloquence is/are inspiring?

Afternoon all,

Please settle a debate for me... a friend recently emailed me with the statement 'his wit and eloquence is inspiring'. Being a complete bore, I immediately replied suggesting that it should have been 'his wit and eloquence are inspiring'.

We were unable to agree on the correct statement, can someone please enlighten me?

Many Thanks,

Wilder
  

Top answer

You're right: are. ------ When two singular subjects are joined by and , the verb is normally plural. Alice and Bob are going to be late.

— Marius Hancu

  • You're right: are.
  • ------ When two singular subjects are joined by and , the verb is normally plural.
  • Alice and Bob are going to be late.
  • Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p.
  • 509 ------ ------ When two subjects are joined by or , the verb is normally usually singular if the 2nd subject is singular, and plural if it is plural.
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4 Answers
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You're right: are.

------
When two singular subjects are joined by and, the verb is normally plural.

Alice and Bob are going to be late.

Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
------

------
When two subjects ar
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Wilder Being a complete bore, Do you mean "boor", meaning somewhat rude? Personally, I think you were neither boorish nor boring....whichever word you meant, in this case.
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Philip:

He's right:
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bore

Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s

: a cause of ennui: a : a dull tiresome annoying person <a loquacious self-centered bore> b : something that is monotonous, wearisome, and tediously devoid of interest <an ev
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I meant boring, but thank you for your reassurance on both counts!
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