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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Singular or plural

Should it be 'make or makes'?

His commitment, patient, and passion 'make or makes' him nothing but an idol.

I think it is 'make' since there are three items! But the word his should be followed by a singular! am I correct?
  

Top answer

His commitment, patience , and passion 'make or makes' him an idol . Including 'nothing but' makes the statement derogatory. Anonymous Should it be 'make or makes'?

— Mister Micawber

  • His commitment, patience , and passion 'make or makes' him an idol .
  • Including 'nothing but' makes the statement derogatory.
  • Anonymous Should it be 'make or makes'?
  • I agree that the three qualities are unrelated enough to call for the plural verb.
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15 Answers
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His commitment, patience, and passion 'make or makes' him an idol.

Including 'nothing but' makes the statement derogatory.
AnonymousShould it be 'make or makes'?
I agree that the three qualities are unrelated enough to call for the plural verb.
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Mister MicawberHis commitment, patience, and passion 'make or makes' him an idol.Including 'nothing but' makes the statement derogatory
Thanks, teacher. What do you mean by derogatory here? I am being disrespectful. If so, I though that 'nothing but an idol' is a strong statement indicating that he is no less than an idol!!
Mister Micawber
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Anonymous I though that 'nothing but an idol' is a strong statement indicating that he is no less than an idol!!
No. It suggests that idols are insignificant creatures.
AnonymousWhat do you mean by that?
I mean the verb should be plural.
AnonymousShould it be 'makes'?
No; that verb is sin
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Mister MicawberNo. It suggests that idols are insignificant creatures.
Got it.
Mister MicawberI mean the verb should be plural.
So it should be 'make'!

Would you tell me what you meant by "three qualities are unrelated enough to call for the plural verb". Does that mean that they can be seen as one and thus the plu
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AnonymousDoes that mean that they can be seen as one and thus the plural is required, maybe?
Why would plural be required with one?
AnonymousSo the number of items determine the verb and not 'his' before the items, right?
Usually.
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Mister MicawberAnonymousDoes that mean that they can be seen as one and thus the plural is required, maybe?Why would plural be required with one?
Sorry. I meant to say singular!!. So if they are unrelated (separate items) the plural is needed; and if they can be seen as one then the singular is required. Right?
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Mister MicawberSo the number of items determine the verb and not 'his' before the items, right?Usually.
Teacher, have I used 'determine' correctly after 'number of items'?

So is it 'the number of items determine or determines'. I think it is determine due to the plural items? Am I correct?
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'The number of' takes a singular verb.
'A number of' takes a plural verb.
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Mister Micawber'The number of' takes a singular verb.'A number of' takes a plural verb.
I see. But what follows 'of' should be plural 'items' not 'items'regardless of what verb it takes due to 'A or The', right?
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