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JungKim Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Whether to treat 'what' as singular or plural

Please let me know if 'what' can be treated as singular in the following:
(1) What are the most famous cemeteries in London?
(2) Many of the unsold tickets are for what were expected to be some of the more popular sports, like beach volleyball and boxing, but priced at the high end.
(3) What do you expect from this game and what are the strengths of this German team?
(4) What are going to be the main dangers of their team this time around?
  

Top answer

They are correct as they stand (there is no chance for 'is' if you wish to preserve grammatical concord).

— Mister Micawber

  • They are correct as they stand (there is no chance for 'is' if you wish to preserve grammatical concord).
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6 Answers
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They are correct as they stand (there is no chance for 'is' if you wish to preserve grammatical concord).
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Mister MicawberThey are correct as they stand (there is no chance for 'is' if you wish to preserve grammatical concord).
Thanks! So may I conclude that what used as a subject should have a plural verb when followed by a plural predicative, regardless of whether it be an interrogative pronoun or a relative one?
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Judging from your examples, yes.
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JungKimSo may I conclude that what used as a subject ...
It's debatable whether what is a subject in such constructions. To judge by the expected answers, it's a subject complement.

What are the most famous cemeteries in London?
The most famous cemeteries in London are ....

What are the strengths of the Ge
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CJ, thanks for your insight. Let me ask you some further questions.
CalifJimIt's debatable whether what is a subject in such constructions.
Is it safe to say then that 'what' is always a subject complement in such construction as 'what are/were + plural noun predicative?'? If not, could you give me an example or two in such construction where 'what' is the subje
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JungKimIs it safe to say then that 'what' is always a subject complement in such construction as 'what are/were + plural noun predicative?
I can't say "always", but I can't think of an example where 'what' is the subject. The basic principle applies to both singulars and plurals.
JungKimIf indeed (1) and (3) of my original sentences we
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