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Mudclay Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

sentence compounds a positive and negative subject

Hello,

What if the sentence compounds a positive and a negative sentence and one is plural and the other one is singular? What verb should I agree with? Is there any rule for that?

Please check the sentences.

The department members not the chair has/have decided not to teach on Labor day.
It is not the board of directors but the CEO who decide/decides this issue.
It was the speaker, not his ideas, that has/have provoked the students to riot

Thank you in advance.
  

Top answer

The verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action). Just try to remember the logic of it, and you'll have no problems. 1.

— Philip

  • The verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action).
  • Just try to remember the logic of it, and you'll have no problems.
  • 1.
  • members have decided 2.
  • board decides 3.
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7 Answers
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The verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action). Just try to remember the logic of it, and you'll have no problems.
1. members have decided
2. board decides
3. speaker (that who) has provoked
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PhilipThe verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action)
Then, since the sentence specifically says that the board does not decide (does not perform the action), isn't it "CEO decides" in the second sentence?

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PhilipThe verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action).
Then, since the sentence specifically says that the board does not decide (does not perform the action), isn't it "CEO decides" in the second sentence?

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CalifJim PhilipThe verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action)Then, since the sentence specifically says that the board does not decide (does not perform the action), isn't it "CEO decides" in the second sentence?CJ
Yes. Mea culpa.
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CalifJim PhilipThe verb (action) agrees with the subject (who performs the action).Then, since the sentence specifically says that the board does not decide (does not perform the action), isn't it "CEO decides" in the second sentence?CJ
Yes. Mea maxima culpa.
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Well, nertz. My internet line is dropping a lot today, and sometimes it looks like a post didn't go through. Later I find that I've put it through twice.

My point, though, was that you were right, but for the wrong reason. The negation of the action has nothing to do with it. Otherwise, there would be no way to establish agreement at all for Janet isn't making the salad.
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Hello,

Would it be correct if my guideline is"The verb should agree with the positive subject/sentence"?

Thanks.
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