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Subject verb

by agarwalva » Wed May 16, 2012 3:19 pm
A. what is wanted IS not large houses with modern conveniences, but small cottages

B. what is wanted ARE not large houses with modern conveniences, but small cottages

Please explain why A is correct over B

Source wren and martin
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by dlencz » Wed May 16, 2012 3:45 pm
The same reason you wouldn't say something ARE wanted. You're saying this thing that is wanted. The large houses are a collection.

I apologize for not knowing all the technical terms, but I hope that makes sense until an expert comes in an explains it better, or just corrects me, ha.
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by avik.ch » Wed May 16, 2012 9:26 pm
agarwalva wrote:
A. what is wanted IS not large houses with modern conveniences, but small cottages

B. what is wanted ARE not large houses with modern conveniences, but small cottages

Please explain why A is correct over B

Source wren and martin
"What is wanted" is a noun clause. All noun clause are considered singular and hence should be follwed by "is". Hence A is correct.

What is "wren and martin" - never heard of it ?

Hope this helps !!
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by agarwalva » Thu May 17, 2012 6:14 am
"What is wanted" is a noun clause. All noun clause are considered singular and hence should be follwed by "is". Hence A is correct.

What is "wren and martin" - never heard of it ?

Hope this helps !!
Thanks...
but when we say "X is not y and Z... " or X is Y....
can X and Y be different in number like X singular and Y plural

Wren and Martin is English Grammar book
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by avik.ch » Thu May 17, 2012 9:47 pm
agarwalva wrote:
but when we say "X is not y and Z... " or X is Y....
can X and Y be different in number like X singular and Y plural

Wren and Martin is English Grammar book
I could not get your doubt properly. When we say X is Y -- the significance of "is/are" will be dependent on X.

Consider this :

All books on the table are mine. plural + are + singular
The book on the table is mine. Singular + is + singular
Steve is hard working and intelligent. Singular + is + plural.

Hope this helps !!
Wren and Martin is English Grammar book
Thanks, I was not aware of this book.
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by subratdash24 » Fri May 18, 2012 1:03 pm
HI All,

I have one basic doubt in finding the noun in the below sentence, can anybody please help me what are the nouns in this sentence below

" Keli's ambition is to win the state lottery"

Best Regards,
Subrat
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