0
Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

List of principles

I've a simple question here: Are two of the forms correct?

The list of principles (conforms /conform) to the normal idea of what a set of rules should be trying to achieve. Thanks.....

Bye 2010, Welcome 2011.
  

Top answer

Anonymous The list of principles (conforms /conform) to the normal idea Personally, I'd say "The list conforms," but I wouldn't consider "the principles conform" incorrect. This is one of a whole class of plural situations which can depend on context. Sometimes "notional concord" applies, and the writer can go either way, according to how he "thinks" of it, or how he wants the reader to think of it.

— Avangi

  • Anonymous The list of principles (conforms /conform) to the normal idea Personally, I'd say "The list conforms," but I wouldn't consider "the principles conform" incorrect.
  • This is one of a whole class of plural situations which can depend on context.
  • Sometimes "notional concord" applies, and the writer can go either way, according to how he "thinks" of it, or how he wants the reader to think of it.
  • In the example you pose, it can easily be argued that it's the principles which conform.
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
AnonymousThe list of principles (conforms /conform) to the normal idea
Personally, I'd say "The list conforms," but I wouldn't consider "the principles conform" incorrect.

This is one of a whole class of plural situations which can depend on context.
Sometimes "notional concord" applies, and the writer can go either way, according to how he "think
0

Related Questions