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Yadoo86 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Verb And Subject - Agreement
Why should we use a singular verb in the following sentence?
His knowledge of languages and international relations aids him in his work.
It is quite interesting to note even we use AND conjunction in subject phrase we still use singular. Right?
Finally, If we change subject phrase order, can we use a plural verb? for instance:
His international relations and knowledge of languages aid him in his work.
Thanks in advance.
Yadoo
His knowledge of languages and international relations aids him in his work.
It is quite interesting to note even we use AND conjunction in subject phrase we still use singular. Right?
Finally, If we change subject phrase order, can we use a plural verb? for instance:
His international relations and knowledge of languages aid him in his work.
Thanks in advance.
Yadoo
Top answer
His knowledge of X and Y aids him - the knowledge is singular even if the subjects about which he is knowledgeable are plural. In your second example you are saying effectively His X and his Y aid him - his X and his Y amount to two things, so you use the plural.
- His knowledge of X and Y aids him - the knowledge is singular even if the subjects about which he is knowledgeable are plural.
- In your second example you are saying effectively His X and his Y aid him - his X and his Y amount to two things, so you use the plural.
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1 Answers
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His knowledge of X and Y aids him - the knowledge is singular even if the subjects about which he is knowledgeable are plural.
In your second example you are saying effectively His X and his Y aid him - his X and his Y amount to two things, so you use the plural.
In your second example you are saying effectively His X and his Y aid him - his X and his Y amount to two things, so you use the plural.
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