Grammar question

[csanchez635]

1. When learning about a new culture, the understanding of irony and sarcasm in thelanguage are usually the last things to be gleaned. (wrong version)
   
   2.) When learning about a new culture, the understanding of irony and sarcasm in the language ISusually the last things to be gleaned. (correct version) (why isn't it ARE instead of IS? isn't when irony and sarcasm plural since theres the word and? Please clarify this)

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to Using English, csanchez.

Sentence 2 is not actually correct. It should be '...the last thing....' This refers to 'understanding', which is singular and explains why the verb is is and not are.

Rover

[csanchez635]

awesome.... and yah i accidentally put an s in there....