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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

is or are

What is/are needed is/are a pen and a pencil.

Which words should I use?

Many thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, I'd only say... What is needed is a pen and a pencil. But if you changed that to two pens, I'd probably say What is needed are two pens.

— Kooyeen

  • Hi, I'd only say...
  • What is needed is a pen and a pencil.
  • But if you changed that to two pens, I'd probably say What is needed are two pens.
  • Using "is" in this one is probably just as good.
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3 Answers
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Hi,
I'd only say...
What is needed is a pen and a pencil.

But if you changed that to two pens, I'd probably say
What is needed are two pens.
Using "is" in this one is probably just as good.
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KooyeenHi,
I'd only say...
What is needed is a pen and a pencil.

But if you changed that to two pens, I'd probably say
What is needed are two pens.
Using "is" in this one is probably just as good.
Shouldn't it be "What are needed iare two pens."?
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What I'd be far more likely to say are "what you need" not "what is needed."

I'd probably say "What you need is a pen and..." or "What you need are two pens."
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