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Jenniferunagi Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Plural or singular

Hi all,

I have some problems regarding on the usage of plural and singular in the following questions.

For example:

Paying a child an allowance are not quite the same as an employer paying an employee wage.

I think that it should be changed to:

Paying a child an allowance is not quite the same as an employer paying an employee wage.

Reason: An allowance refers to sum of money. Money follows singular verb.

Thanks!

Cheers,

Jennifer Unagi:)
  

Top answer

Hi Jennifer. You are right, but for the wrong reason. The relationship of 'money' to 'allowance' is irrelevant.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hi Jennifer.
  • You are right, but for the wrong reason.
  • The relationship of 'money' to 'allowance' is irrelevant.
  • You must consider each noun independently when choosing the verb form.
  • 'Allowance' is countable, and 'an allowance' is therefore singular.
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6 Answers
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Hi Jennifer. You are right, but for the wrong reason. The relationship of 'money' to 'allowance' is irrelevant. You must consider each noun independently when choosing the verb form. 'Allowance' is countable, and 'an allowance' is therefore singular. 'Money' is uncountable and therefore singular.
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Hi,

Paying a child an allowance are not quite the same as an employer paying an employee wage.

The subject here is actually the gerund 'paying', which takes a singular verb.

eg Paying a child an allowance is not quite the same as an employer p
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Hi,

I am confused over identifying which one would be the the correct subject. From this question, I though that the allowance is the subject.

Is it that for every subject that is of gerund, singular verb is being used?

Thanks!

Cheers,

Jennifer Unagi:)
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Hi,

I am confused over identifying which one would be the the correct subject. From this question, I though that the allowance is the subject.

Consider this simpler example.

eg Breaking your leg is painful.

The subject i
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Thanks Clive, but how do we identify the correct subject?
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Hi,

By understanding what a gerund is, and how to use it.

Have you studied gerunds yet?

Clive
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