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Fatimah0786 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Is or are

In the sentence what should be the right word,"The only thing that I want you to hit right now is/are the books."
  

Top answer

"The verb IS (singular) agrees with THING (singular). It's a little bit awkward following thing with a plural though. Maybe: The only thing I want you to do right now is hit the books.

— Michaeln R

  • "The verb IS (singular) agrees with THING (singular).
  • It's a little bit awkward following thing with a plural though.
  • Maybe: The only thing I want you to do right now is hit the books.
  • ("hit the books" being a single action)
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6 Answers
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"The verb IS (singular) agrees with THING (singular).

It's a little bit awkward following thing with a plural though.

Maybe: The only thing I want you to do right now is hit the books.

("hit the books" being a single action)
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Michaeln RIt's a little bit awkward following thing with a plural though.
Not in this case where "hit the books" is idiomatic.
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Indeed - but it could still sound awkward, especially when the idiom is split with the adverb "now". I'd rehash the sentence, as above.
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Michaeln RIndeed - but it could still sound awkward, especially when the idiom is split with the adverb "now". I'd rehash the sentence, as above.
I wouldn't, because it is supposed to be a rather humorous outcry of an exasperated mother. It would lose its "zing."
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AlpheccaStars Michaeln RIndeed - but it could still sound awkward, especially when the idiom is split with the adverb "now". I'd rehash the sentence, as above.I wouldn't, because it is supposed to be a rather humorous outcry of an exasperated mother. It would lose its "zing."
Well I can see why the question was raised - but if that's what the exasperated mothe
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