0
Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Is or am?

In the senctence: "Nobody but I (is, am) to go to the store", which would be used? The essential question is whether Nobody or I is the subject. If you remove "but I", "Nobody is to go to the store" makes perfect sense. However, if you remove "Nobody but", "I am to go to the store" makes perfect sense.
  

Top answer

Anonymous if you remove "Nobody but" Yes, but you wouldn't remove two words that don't even belong to the same unit of meaning. The subject breaks down like this: nobody (but I) not (nobody but) I Use is ! There is also reason to consider but (= except ) a preposition, in which case it should be Nobody but me is to go ...

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous if you remove "Nobody but" Yes, but you wouldn't remove two words that don't even belong to the same unit of meaning.
  • The subject breaks down like this: nobody (but I) not (nobody but) I Use is !
  • There is also reason to consider but (= except ) a preposition, in which case it should be Nobody but me is to go ...
  • because prepositions don't take the subject form ( *to I, *for I, *except I ).
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Anonymousif you remove "Nobody but"
Yes, but you wouldn't remove two words that don't even belong to the same unit of meaning. The subject breaks down like this:

nobody (but I)

not

(nobody but) I

Use is!

There is also reason to consider but (= except) a preposition, in which case it should be
0
0
I checked in on this just to see what my friend CJ would say: I'm glad to say that I agree with him, even though you will often hear am.
0
0
I couldn't resist marking your reponse "Best answer" since you agreed with me! LOL! Emotion: rofl

CJ
0

Related Questions