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Anonymous Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

Subject-verb agreement

Hi, in one children's book, I came across this sentence below. The subject consists of 2 gerunds coordinated with 'and'. Shouldn't the verb be ARE, instead of IS? Thank you1

Looking for plants and hunting other animals is hard work for bears.

  

Top answer

anonymous Shouldn't the verb be ARE, instead of IS? You would think so, but no. I tried it with "are", and it doesn't sound exactly wrong, but it does sound kind of wrong.

— Anonymous

  • anonymous Shouldn't the verb be ARE, instead of IS?
  • You would think so, but no.
  • I tried it with "are", and it doesn't sound exactly wrong, but it does sound kind of wrong.
  • The two gerund clauses are one thing, the bear's food-getting.
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2 Answers
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anonymousShouldn't the verb be ARE, instead of IS?

You would think so, but no. I tried it with "are", and it doesn't sound exactly wrong, but it does sound kind of wrong. The two gerund clauses are one thing, the bear's food-getting.

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Thank you for the comment. I also found this:

"Two gerund clauses coordinated with and are plural in agreement.
Reading and listening to the television are two ways to improve your vocabulary.
Emailing and texting are illegal activities for drivers behind the wheel."

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