has/have

bread · #1 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2004, 01:12

a stack of things has to be finished
a stack of things have to be finished

which one is correct? Thanks!

MikeNewYork · #2 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2004, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by bread

a stack of things has to be finished
a stack of things have to be finished

which one is correct? Thanks!

The subject of the sentence is singular (stack), so the verb should be singular (has). Some people choose "have" because the object of the preposition is plural. This is not correct, however. :wink:

Tdol · #3 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2004, 10:35

This is an area where American and British English differ. While Mike's logic is,as always, impeccable, in British English, either form would be OK.

MikeNewYork · #4 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2004, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdol

This is an area where American and British English differ. While Mike's logic is,as always, impeccable, in British English, either form would be OK.

I was trying to be balanced, but it's difficult.


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