grammar point

[Hatty]

Hi - I am currently trying to establish whether this sentence is correct -

'A varied selection of newspapers and magazines is provided.'

I have a client telling me it should be .....ARE provided'. However I think it should be IS because it refers to 'a varied selection'.

Can anybody clear this point up for me please. Thanks!

[Casiopea]

Both are used by native speakers. If you want the subject to be 'selection', then 'is' would be the verb of choice:

[1] A selection is provided.

If you want the subject to be 'newspapers and magazines', then 'are' would be the verb of choice:

[2] . . . newspapers and magazines are provided.

Grammatically though, and this what Traditonalist would like to see native speakers use, since the phrase 'newspapers and magazines' functions as the object of 'selection', it shouldn't agree in number with the verb. Only subjects agree with the verb and 'selection' is the subject.

Originally Posted by Hatty

Hi - I am currently trying to establish whether this sentence is correct -

'A varied selection of newspapers and magazines is provided.'

I have a client telling me it should be .....ARE provided'. However I think it should be IS because it refers to 'a varied selection'.

Can anybody clear this point up for me please. Thanks!

I agree with Casiopea here. "Is" is much better.

[Casiopea]

But . . .
Check out www.bartleby.com/usage/ for another take on 'is' and 'are' in that context.

All the best,