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Is "combination" a singular or plural noun?

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by headstrong » Wed May 09, 2012 10:06 am
Hi everyone,

While going through an article at https://www.forbes.com/sites/charleskadl ... ing-elite/, I came across a sentence and since I have spent a day or two to get hold of the nitty-grity of the SC so, I could not help but, think in those terms. Anyways, please clarify my doubts about the following sentence.

"A combination of spending cuts and big tax increases, which cumulatively should have cut the country's deficit by about 20% of GDP, have been implemented since 2009."

Since, the subject in the query sentence is 'A combination' so it should be 'has been' instead of 'have been'. Kindly clarify.

TIA.
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by vk_vinayak » Wed May 09, 2012 10:14 am
Combination is singular.
- VK

I will (Learn. Recognize. Apply)
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by ice_rush » Wed May 09, 2012 11:53 am
Hi headstrong,

A combination of spending cuts and big tax increases..have..

and requires plural verb.


hope this helps.
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by Bill@VeritasPrep » Wed May 09, 2012 2:54 pm
Singular. A combination of diet and exercise is the most effective way to lose weight.
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by ice_rush » Wed May 09, 2012 6:52 pm
Hi Bill,

Is the usage of 'have' in the above post incorrect? Can you provide your expert opinion on the sentence in question.



Thanks!
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by Bill@VeritasPrep » Wed May 09, 2012 6:56 pm
Yes. Despite the fact that cuts and tax increases are both plural, it is still a single combination composed of those items.
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by agarwalva » Wed May 09, 2012 9:04 pm
A combination of diet and exercise....The subject is combination.. not the nouns after the preposition
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