Singular or plural?

[hector51]

Hi !

"Studying and listening to the music at the same time is/are not good for you"

my English teacher said "is" is correct,but I wonder why it's correct since the subject is plural,can you explain to me why?

thx in advance!

[Tdol]

It's the combination of the two activities into a single thing that is not good- studying is good, but studying with music is not good. The subject is 'studying and listening to music at the same time'- all one subject.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by hector51

Hi !

"Studying and listening to the music at the same time is/are not good for you"

my English teacher said "is" is correct,but I wonder why it's correct since the subject is plural,can you explain to me why?

thx in advance!

I agree with Tdol. If one uses a plural verb in that sentence it would mean that both activities are bad. That is obviously not the intended meaning.