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Ricky06 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

use of "the following"

Someone told me that "The following" must be followed by a singular verb, e.g.

#1 The following is three examples.

instead of

#2 The following are three examples.

Is it true? Thanks.

Ricky
  

Top answer

Hi Ricky No, it's not true. The participle following acts as a plural noun in your sentence because of the the and since there are three examples, the plural verb is right. Adjectives become nouns if the is placed before them.

— Cool Breeze

  • Hi Ricky No, it's not true.
  • The participle following acts as a plural noun in your sentence because of the the and since there are three examples, the plural verb is right.
  • Adjectives become nouns if the is placed before them.
  • Following can act as an adjective: In the following way.
  • Examples of the + adjective: The rich like money.
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2 Answers
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Hi Ricky

No, it's not true. The participle following acts as a plural noun in your sentence because of the the and since there are three examples, the plural verb is right. Adjectives become nouns if the is placed before them. Following can act as an adjective: In the following way. Examples of the + adjective:

Th
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Ricky06Someone told me that "The following" must be followed by a singular verb, e.g.

#1 The following is three examples.

instead of

#2 The following are three examples.

Is it true? Thanks.

Ricky
If there is one example, you could say "The following is an example."
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