alwayslulu wrote:The magnitude of yesterday's earthquake has been determined by seismologists, but what really intrigues government officials are how to both detect warning signs of an earthquake and predict its location of impact.

a. has been determined by seismologists, but what really intrigues government officials are
b. has been determined by seismologists, but what really intrigues government officials is
c. have been determined by seismologists, but what really intrigues government officials is
d. have been determined by seismologists, but what really intrigues government officials are
e. are determined by seismologists, but what really intrigues government officials is

answer is B

I know the first verb has to be HAS since subject is magnitude singular. But why the other verb is "is"? There are two lists
1 to detect warning signs
2 to predict its location.

So what;s the subject of the second verb? thanks!

On the same lines picked up the below sentence from my notes.

The country in which the antique music box was fashioned has been determined by Walter Essex, but what is much more difficult to determine are the companies that produced it.

A. has been determined by Walter Essex, but what is much more difficult to determine are
B. has been determined by Walter Essex, but what is much more difficult to determine is
C. have been determined by Walter Essex, but what is much more difficult to determine is
D. have been determined by Walter Essex, but what is much more difficult to determine are
E. has been determined by Walter Essex, but that which is much more difficult to determine are

iamseer wrote:IMO B

you have rightly pointed reason #1
b'cos it is "intrigues" and not "intrigue" it has to be "is"

It intrigues - It is the implied subject
They intrigue - they is the implied subject

alwayslulu wrote:

iamseer wrote:IMO B

you have rightly pointed reason #1
b'cos it is "intrigues" and not "intrigue" it has to be "is"

It intrigues - It is the implied subject
They intrigue - they is the implied subject

So, the reason why it's using "IS" because of subject: intrigues ? So if the sentence uses "intrigue" then my verb would be ARE ??

Thanks much for your explanation.

alwayslulu wrote:

iamseer wrote:IMO B

you have rightly pointed reason #1
b'cos it is "intrigues" and not "intrigue" it has to be "is"

It intrigues - It is the implied subject
They intrigue - they is the implied subject

So, the reason why it's using "IS" because of subject: intrigues ? So if the sentence uses "intrigue" then my verb would be ARE ??

Thanks much for your explanation.

iamseer wrote:IMO B

you have rightly pointed reason #1
b'cos it is "intrigues" and not "intrigue" it has to be "is"

It intrigues - It is the implied subject
They intrigue - they is the implied subject