#1  
Old 11-Apr-2006, 02:36
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Default Subject and verb agreement

Hello

Hope someone can help me with this little grammer issue.
I just wanted to know which of the following was correct:

1. Communication and collaboration among researchers has begun

and

2. Communication and collaboration among researchers have begun

I need a grammatical explanation for the correct answer.

Thanks for your time
  #2  
Old 11-Apr-2006, 05:43
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

If you see them as a single thing, use 'has', but if you see them as separate, use 'have'. They can both be seen as correct.
  #3  
Old 11-Apr-2006, 06:30
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

From the context with the sentence itself, it seems to be more reasonable to use 'has', but it may be 'have' if in certain context at large.
  #4  
Old 11-Apr-2006, 09:34
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

Thanks so much for your help on this. This is the first time I've used the site and I think it's great!
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Old 11-Apr-2006, 16:18
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

You're welcome, Japanfan.
  #6  
Old 11-Apr-2006, 16:52
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Talking Re: Subject and verb agreement

you have (and) in your sentence, so i think have is better to use.
  #7  
Old 12-Apr-2006, 05:10
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

Not necessarily- it could be like (a + b) or a + b. Here, the two things are closely related, so it would be fine to see them as a single thing if you like.
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Old 12-Apr-2006, 09:56
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

He said :

" I just wanted to know which of the following was correct"
I suppose it will be more correct if he said " just wanted to know which of the following is correct".


Am I right??
  #9  
Old 13-Apr-2006, 07:23
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Default Re: Subject and verb agreement

As the introductory verb 'wanted' is in the past, even though the request and the wish are present at the time of writing, the past is fine. However, as correctness is a fact, the present is also OK.
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