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Jooney Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What

Hi,

When an interrogative pronoun 'what' is in a subject position, is it possible for a verb that follows it to be in a plural form?

ex)

A: What makes you think that?

B: What make you feel better?

I think it is possible because 'what' can denote some things as well as somthing.

I would appreciate it if someone could give me an answer.
  

Top answer

I believe A is actually plural by implication here. Typically it would be a combination of a number of things that would result in a person thinking in a certain way, so, by implication, "What" is plural. (Of "What" could be singular by implication if it is a single thing only that is making person think in a certain way.

— Anonymous

  • I believe A is actually plural by implication here.
  • Typically it would be a combination of a number of things that would result in a person thinking in a certain way, so, by implication, "What" is plural.
  • (Of "What" could be singular by implication if it is a single thing only that is making person think in a certain way.
  • ) But "What" takes a singular verb, whether it be plural or singular by implication.
  • I believe B is possible, but this would be unusual because it would have to be in the subjunctive, and the subjunctive is rare in English today.
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9 Answers
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I believe A is actually plural by implication here. Typically it would be a combination of a number of things that would result in a person thinking in a certain way, so, by implication, "What" is plural. (Of "What" could be singular by implication if it is a single thing only that is making person think in a certain way. ) But "What" takes a singular verb, whether it be plural or singular by im
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From my point of view,i think it's ok,i give you a instance following

what makes you work so hard?

what makes you so angry?
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jooneyWhen an interrogative pronoun 'what' is in a subject position, is it possible for a verb that follows it to be in a plural form?
Not unless it's the verb to be linking to a plural - or similar linking verb or expression.

What make you feel better? No.

What bother you? No.

What are the things that
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Hi, CJ.

Thank you for the reply.

I just found the answer to that question in my grammar book.

Your explanations seem to be in agreement with those of my grammar book. It says that a plural override is possible when there is a presupposition that the answer is plural.

ex) Who haven't yet handed in their assignments?

It refers to a situation where the sp
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Thank you for answering my question.
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jooneyA: What are the things that bother you?
B: What were the most important items on the list?
C: What seem to be the reasons for his behavior?
Do you assume a plurality of things here?
Yes. That's why they all contain plurals.

CJ
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Agree with CalifJim.

Although it may be technically correct to use plural agreement, from an American usage standpoint, I would say no one ever does that. The two choices would be only.

What makes you feel better?

What kinds of things make you feel better?

In this case, we can see that 'what' is standing in the place of 'things', and so the verb must agree with
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Thank you so much, CJ.

Your examples are always clear and easy to understand. Moreover, they are better than the ones in my grammar book!
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Thank you for the reply, ClarkePeters. I appreciate your help.
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