0
Gu-Hoon Kwon Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Is or are

Biological organisms, including human societies both with and without market systems, discount distant outputs over those available at the present time based on risks associated with an uncertain future. As the timing of inputs and outputs varies greatly depending on the type of energy, there is a strong case to incorporate time when assessing energy alternatives. For example, the energy output from solar panels or wind power engines, where most investment happens before they begin producing, may need to be assessed differently when compared to most fossil fuel extraction technologies, where a large proportion of the energy output comes much sooner, and a larger (relative) proportion of inputs is / are applied during the extraction process, and not upfront. Thus fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas, in addition to having energy quality advantages (cost, storability, transportability, etc.) over many renewable technologies, also have a “temporal advantage” after accounting for human behavioral preference for current consumption/return.


In the underlined clause, which is right, is or are in red? I think are is right.

  

Top answer

If the verb is to agree with the singular noun proportion , it would be singular is . But if it is to agree with the plural inputs , then it would be plural are . Where the subject is an NP (noun phrase), the verb normally agrees with the head word of the NP.

  • If the verb is to agree with the singular noun proportion , it would be singular is .
  • But if it is to agree with the plural inputs , then it would be plural are .
  • Where the subject is an NP (noun phrase), the verb normally agrees with the head word of the NP.
  • So you have to decide which word is head of the NP a larger proportion of inputs .
  • Is it proportion or inputs?
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.

1 Answers
0

If the verb is to agree with the singular noun proportion, it would be singular is. But if it is to agree with the plural inputs, then it would be plural are.

Where the subject is an NP (noun phrase), the verb normally agrees with the head word of the NP. So you have to decide which word is head of the NP a larger proportion of inputs. Is it proporti

Related Questions