Plural verb usage

[Bernardine]

When does one use plural verb in a sentence? What is the reason for such usage?

[Mister Micawber]

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Use a plural verb when the subject is plural.

My bat is sickly. -- singular subject (bat) and singular verb (is)
My bats are sickly. -- plural subject (bats) and plural verb (are)
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Originally Posted by Mister Micawber

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Use a plural verb when the subject is plural.

My bat is sickly. -- singular subject (bat) and singular verb (is)
My bats are sickly. -- plural subject (bats) and plural verb (are)
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Correction:

My bat is sick--subject in the singular[bat]; verb in the singular[is]

the verb "to be" is a linking verb and you should use only an adjective with it,but you can use an adverb after "is" in the following example:
My bat is nearly sick [sick is an adjective linked to the verb "be"]

My bats are sick -subject in the plural and verb in the plural

Search more about "subject-verb agreement" on this site or on the web.

Regards

[Mister Micawber]

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Quick definitions (sickly)

adjective: unhealthy looking
adjective: somewhat ill or prone to illness (Example: "A sickly child").
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[Fazzu]

We use plural verbs when the subject is plural.

Originally Posted by Mister Micawber

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Quick definitions (sickly)

adjective: unhealthy looking
adjective: somewhat ill or prone to illness (Example: "A sickly child").
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Thank you for clarifying that. I guess this word can`t be used in a sentence as it follows ,or can it?

The man is sickly. [?]

I`d rather say :The man is sickly looking.

Is this second sentence correct?

[Mister Micawber]

The man and his bat are both sickly. And they are also both sickly-looking; but that seems poorer writing style to me.

The man is handsome.
The man is handsome-looking.

Which would you choose?
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Originally Posted by Mister Micawber

The man and his bat are both sickly. And they are also both sickly-looking; but that seems poorer writing style to me.

The man is handsome.
The man is handsome-looking.

Which would you choose?
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I`d choose the first sentence. I think that "handsome" is good enough.


The man and his bat are both sickly - It`s a very strange use of the adjective; again , in my opinion, "sick" is good enough.I have never read or heard of this use of "sickly"[ with the linking verb "be"].

Regards,

[Mister Micawber]

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You need to get out more, Sheena. Sick and sickly have different meanings:

Sick-- not in good physical or mental health
Sickly-- unhealthy looking; somewhat ill or prone to illness
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