Subject and verbal agreement.

Question

Here is my sentence: Recent and past memory appear(s) intact.

I realize that the word memory itself is singular; therefore, the verb should be singular. However, what confuses me is that the word memory here describes both recent memory and past memory, which would be plural, so the verb should be plural. Or, should I use "memories" instead of "memory" in this sentence. Please help!

Thanks!

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

I prefer "appear". I suppose some people might view it as one thing ("memory") of which there are two types and use "appears".

I'm not sure that "recent memory" and "past memory" are the best terms (all memory is "past" memory). Two terms often used are "short-term memory" and "long-term memory". These refer, respectively, to the ability to remember recent events and distant events.

There is a slight difference between "memory" and "memories". "memory" (in this context) refers in general terms to the physiological capabilities of the brain, while "memories" refers to a person's individual and personal recollections of the past.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Memory - can be used both in singular and plural context.
The sentence in your example shuld be plural verb agreement in my opnion.
Memories are our mental images collected from of different time passed; so each one is unique.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for your opinion.

And I guess I should have clarified that I am a medical transcriptionist and that "recent" memory, "remote" memory, and "past" memory testing is something doctors evaluate when dictating a patient's "mental status examination." As such, this is how the doctor phrases it. The sentence has always stumped me because I feel the word "memory" in this context should be plural; however, because of the way it is phrased, I have never been quite certain.

I hope I am making sense when trying to describe my dilemma.

Subject and verbal agreement.

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