Verb use

[epina]

Please confirm that the following are correct. Thank you.

(1) A review of the tests indicates that ......

(2) A basket of the eggs were broken.

My understanding is that for (1) the subject is "review" which is singular.

However, for (2) the subject is "a basket of eggs" which is plural.

I am so frustrated that my teacher thinks that (1) should be "indicate" and not "indicates." Even the Microsoft grammar checker supports me. In my opinion, this is grammar 101. Appreciate any advice.

[bhaisahab]

Please confirm that the following are correct. Thank you.

(1) A review of the tests indicates that ......

(2) A basket of the eggs were broken.

My understanding is that for (1) the subject is "review" which is singular.

However, for (2) the subject is "a basket of eggs" which is plural.

I am so frustrated that my teacher thinks that (1) should be "indicate" and not "indicates." Even the Microsoft grammar checker supports me. In my opinion, this is grammar 101. Appreciate any advice.

You are right about (1) but you are wrong about (2),the subject is "basket" which is singular so it should be "was".

[epina]

Thank you so much. In the past, I believed that

"A basket of eggs WAS broken." No kidding. Believe it or not.

However, when my teacher said that I was wrong to say that "A review of the tests indicates that ......" I tried to think of a scenario/sentence that will justify what she said. Then I thought of "a basket of eggs." So you see how a bad teacher can confuse a student who has been right all along.

Fortunately, I don't give up in finding out the truth and I finally get to ask an expert. Thanks again.