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Joon2257 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

What and all - plural or singular?

Can anybody explain(using the examples below) why some teachers say that if "all or what" is subject of a sentence, it can take a plural verb as well as a singular verb?



1. All we found in the storage room were old books.

(Why 'were'? Because of the plural noun in the complement?)

What children need today are books rather than toys.

(Why 'are'? Because of the plural noun in the complement?)





2.All he needs at the moment is good friends.

(Then why 'is'? Is 'are' also correct? The complement consists of two nouns!)

What they desperately want is clothes and shelter.

(Then why 'is'? Is 'are' also correct? The complement consists of two nouns!)

-- These two examples are what make me confused.
  

Top answer

The short answer is that the subject and the complement do not have to be the same regarding number, which means the subject can be singular and the complement can be plural. That is rather common. Who is it at the door?

— Englishmaven

  • The short answer is that the subject and the complement do not have to be the same regarding number, which means the subject can be singular and the complement can be plural.
  • That is rather common.
  • Who is it at the door?
  • It is they.
  • See?
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2 Answers
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The short answer is that the subject and the complement do not have to be the same regarding number, which means the subject can be singular and the complement can be plural. That is rather common.

Who is it at the door?
It is they.

See?
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Could somebody give more specific answer. I still don't get it.
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