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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

is and are

The following was part of a job advertisement: "Previous experience fo working in an administrative capacity and the ability to work as part of a team is essential."

Should "is" not be replaced by "are"?

This got me thinking about the following examples:

A knowledge of XHTML, Java, and Perl is essential.

A knowledge of the following is essential...

A knowledge of the following computer languages are essential...

Help, as always, is most appreciated.

Rob
  

Top answer

Hi Rob English is very flexible with regard to the number of the verb. The subject is made up of two parts ( experience and ability ), so are would certainly be correct. However, many usage experts (and actual usage) have nothing against is either because both words ( experience and ability ) are singular.

— Cool Breeze

  • Hi Rob English is very flexible with regard to the number of the verb.
  • The subject is made up of two parts ( experience and ability ), so are would certainly be correct.
  • However, many usage experts (and actual usage) have nothing against is either because both words ( experience and ability ) are singular.
  • You have to say a knowledge is , though.
  • In other words, your last example is wrong.
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1 Answers
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Hi Rob

English is very flexible with regard to the number of the verb. The subject is made up of two parts (experience and ability), so are would certainly be correct. However, many usage experts (and actual usage) have nothing against is either because both words (experience and ability) are singular.

You have to say a knowled
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