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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Subject verb agreement
Hi, I hope everyone is well.
Could someone help with me with the following please...
1) I know that the following sentence is correct: 'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
Now, if I change asteroid shower from singular to plural, should it read as follows?
'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
2) This got me thinking, though (not a good sign!). If I were to alter the sentence slightly...
The main reason for the demise of the dinosaurs WAS/WERE asteroid showers.
Other examples I thought of were...
The main reason I work IS/ARE (for) the children
The most important thing in my life IS/ARE women
My favourite animal IS/ARE dogs
The point I'm trying to make is: What rules are there, if any, when the first part of a sentence seems to suggest that an is/was will be needed, but that it seems to introduce a plural?
Thanks for all your help
Could someone help with me with the following please...
1) I know that the following sentence is correct: 'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
Now, if I change asteroid shower from singular to plural, should it read as follows?
'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
2) This got me thinking, though (not a good sign!). If I were to alter the sentence slightly...
The main reason for the demise of the dinosaurs WAS/WERE asteroid showers.
Other examples I thought of were...
The main reason I work IS/ARE (for) the children
The most important thing in my life IS/ARE women
My favourite animal IS/ARE dogs
The point I'm trying to make is: What rules are there, if any, when the first part of a sentence seems to suggest that an is/was will be needed, but that it seems to introduce a plural?
Thanks for all your help
Top answer
The rule is that the verb agrees with the noun in subject position -- however, if it still sounds awkward, the sentence should be revised. These are right: 'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs' 'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs' The main reason for the demise of the dinosaurs WAS asteroid showers. The main reason I work IS (for) the children The most important thing in my life IS women ( Me too!
- The rule is that the verb agrees with the noun in subject position -- however, if it still sounds awkward, the sentence should be revised.
- These are right: 'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs' 'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs' The main reason for the demise of the dinosaurs WAS asteroid showers.
- The main reason I work IS (for) the children The most important thing in my life IS women ( Me too!
- ) My favourite animal IS the dog .
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1 Answers
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The rule is that the verb agrees with the noun in subject position-- however, if it still sounds awkward, the sentence should be revised. These are right:
'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
The main reason
'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
The main reason
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