Plural or Singular Verb? Inches 'has' or 'have'?

One to six inches of snow is/are expected.

Eight to twelve inches of snow has/have fallen.

'Inches' is plural, but we can also be referring to a lump sum which could necessitate a singular verb for each example above.

Singular or plural verb for each?

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frogboxer

One to six inches of snow is/are expected.

Eight to twelve inches of snow has/have fallen.

'Inches' is plural, but we can also be referring to a lump sum which could necessitate a singular verb for each example above.

Singular or plural verb for each?

Thanks

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In terms of usage, it's inches (of snow) that have fallen or are expected, so it's the plural form of the verb that applies here.

Snow is expected. Inches of snow are expected.

When you refer to a quantity as a mass, you usually use the singular.
Three miles isn't too far to walk.
Twenty dollars is too much to pay for one cake.
Six inches of snow is enough to shovel. One to six inches of snow is expected.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barb_D

When you refer to a quantity as a mass, you usually use the singular.
Three miles isn't too far to walk.
Twenty dollars is too much to pay for one cake.
Six inches of snow is enough to shovel. One to six inches of snow is expected.

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Hi,
You obviously know what you're talking about, so I defer to your superior knowledge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barb_D

When you refer to a quantity as a mass, you usually use the singular.
Three miles isn't too far to walk.
Twenty dollars is too much to pay for one cake.
Six inches of snow is enough to shovel. One to six inches of snow is expected.

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I'm with Barb on this one. The only way I can attempt to explain it is to show a potential addition to the beginning of each sentence which might explain it.

A distance of three miles isn't too far to walk.
The amount (twenty dollars) is too much to pay for one cake.
A snowfall of six inches is enough to shovel. A snowfall of one to six inches is expected.