My hobby / hobbies

Question

Can I say,My hobby / hobbies is / are reading and drawing.

Vincent Teo · Accepted Answer

I mean: which is correct?

(a) My hobby is reading and drawing.

(b) My hobbies are reading and drawing.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Vincent TeoI mean: which is correct?

(a) My hobby is reading and drawing.

(b) My hobbies are reading and drawing.

Sometimes, two things are so closely related that we consider them as a single thing, and therefore it takes the singular verb. "Steak and eggs" is my favorite breakfast. My mother's "macaroni and cheese" is the best. The things in quotes are two things, but so closely related in these contexts that you think of them as singular.

If you said "drawing and painting" you might have two things that are similar enough to be considered one thing.

Do you think that "reading" and "drawing" are so simliar that you would consider them as one thing? If not, how would you write the sentence?

Goodman · Answer

On the same line as GG, I like to add post this link and add a comment:

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22hobby%22+singular+or+plural&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N

Foods which are commonly considered as "together" can be labeled as singular. i.e.

Fish and Chip in this restaurant is the best in town

Her Spaghetti and meat ball is the best I have tasted!

A Steak and Eggs breakfast is what I need after a week of camping with canned "pork and beans"!

But people typically have more than one "hobby" and they are not commonly tied together.

Most people would say "What are your hobbies?"

My hobbies are "finshing" , "dancing", "playing video games" ....

Since they are separate nouns, I believe plural verb agreement should be implemented.

Vincent Teo · Answer

Thanks for your all the explanation. I thought we can assume that hobby like reading and drawing to be one thing by using "is". so , that is incorrect. I get it . Thanks.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Right - they are not one thing. Drawing and painting could be one thing. Reading and drawing are very different things. You need "hobbies" and "are."

Anonymous · Answer

My hobby is drawing and reading

My hobby / hobbies

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