Subject and Verb

[jack]

Explain why each of these is not relevant to an accident when the rider presumably panics before they crash?

I get the one above.

I still don't get this one :
1. Explain to me why a lot of braking power and a lot of engine power is not relevant to an accident. (How do I know when 'is' is incorrect? How do I know if this is not a grammar mistake? By any chance, could you give me another example of a sentence like this?)

2. Explain to me why this car and that car are the same. (If 'are' was 'is', it would be wrong? But #1 is like that? That's how I still see #1 still, even though you explained it to me. )

Both "is" and "are" are acceptable. "is" refers to each separately, whereas "are" refers to both together.

3. How come they are both fine? How come I don't need subject-verb agreement here?

Sorry for my ignorance.

[jack]

What is 'which' referring to?

http://healthandenergy.com/natural_gas_shortages.htm
1. On oil, Americans want low prices and secure supplies, which are inconsistent. (What is 'which' referring to? Is it referring to 'prices and supplies' ? Or 'Americans' ? Or is it 'oil' ? I think it's 'prices and 'supplies' but how do you know?)

Thanks.

[Casiopea]

Hi Jack, "which" is a relative pronoun: it sits next to its referent. "oil" is too far away, as is "Americans".

[Casiopea]

I still don't get this one :
1. Explain to me why a lot of braking power and a lot of engine power is not relevant to an accident.

To me, Jack, 1. is ambiguous. If you want to express, this and also that, as a separate list, it, then a singular verb, "is", is required. If you want to express, this and that, together, these, then it requires a plural verb, "are".

2. Explain to me why this car and that car are the same.

"the same" implies a comparison of two or more things, and it's for that reason that "are" is required.

[jack]

1. On oil, Americans want low prices and secure supplies, which are inconsistent.

Hi Jack, "which" is a relative pronoun: it sits next to its referent. "oil" is too far away, as is "Americans".

So is the referent 'supplies' or 'prices and supplies'? How do you know?

[Casiopea]

So is the referent 'supplies' or 'prices and supplies'? How do you know?

"and" conjoins both noun phrases, so the entire phrase functions as the referent.

1. On oil, Americans want low prices and secure supplies, which are inconsistent.

To divide the two, use a comma.

2. On oil, Americans want low prices, and secure supplies, which (by the way) are inconsistent.

But that's an odd reading, wouldn't you agree?

[jack]

But that's an odd reading, wouldn't you agree?

Yes, I agree. Thanks.

[jack]

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/A...hub=topstories

This is taken from the article:
1. Former Jetsgo station attendant Troy Nelson and his wife worked at the airline and says his family is now without an income. (What's 'says' referring to? Is it 'Troy Nelson and his wife' ? Or 'Former Jetgo station attendant'? )

Is 'says' supposed to be 'say'?
2. Former Jetsgo station attendant Troy Nelson and his wife worked at the airline and say his family is now without an income.

Or should #1 be like this:
3. Former Jetsgo station attendants Troy Nelson and his wife worked at the airline and say his family is now without an income.

Thanks.