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Muskie Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Subject/verb agreement
Please advise which of the following is correct:
Two-thirds of his lung WAS removed.
Two-thirds of his lung WERE removed.
Doesn't the verb have to agree with "two-thirds" rather than with "lung?"
thanks!
Two-thirds of his lung WAS removed.
Two-thirds of his lung WERE removed.
Doesn't the verb have to agree with "two-thirds" rather than with "lung?"
thanks!
Top answer
Hello, Muskie, I'd say that 1. IF you mean to convey the fact that 2/3 is a lot, then you'll use the plural 2. IF you want to convey the fact that it's not too much, that he's still got 1/3, then you'll use the singular.
- Hello, Muskie, I'd say that 1.
- IF you mean to convey the fact that 2/3 is a lot, then you'll use the plural 2.
- IF you want to convey the fact that it's not too much, that he's still got 1/3, then you'll use the singular.
- Grammatically speaking, I guess the plural is better.
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3 Answers
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Hello, Muskie,
I'd say that
1. IF you mean to convey the fact that 2/3 is a lot, then you'll use the plural
2. IF you want to convey the fact that it's not too much, that he's still got 1/3, then you'll use the singular.
Grammatically speaking, I guess the plural is better.
I'd say that
1. IF you mean to convey the fact that 2/3 is a lot, then you'll use the plural
2. IF you want to convey the fact that it's not too much, that he's still got 1/3, then you'll use the singular.
Grammatically speaking, I guess the plural is better.
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The pattern "FRACTION of ... NOUN" takes a verb that agrees in number with the NOUN. (By the way, "a lot of NOUN" works the same way.)
CJ
CJ
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