is vs are

Lovelace · #1 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 19:11

Should the verb be in the singular or the plural?

"His ambition and desire is stronger than ... "

2006 · #2 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovelace

Should the verb be in the singular or the plural?

"His ambition and desire is stronger than ... "

It should be plural. "His ambition and desire" are two things.

Naamplao · #3 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovelace

Should the verb be in the singular or the plural?

"His ambition and desire is stronger than ... "

Think of it this way

John and Jim is/are strong.

John and Jim = They

so the answer would be : They are strong. or John and Jim are strong.

blackeyes · #4 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 20:50

it sould be are not is, because the sentence is plural not singular.

jctgf · #5 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 21:55

i would say "are" but i have been hearing a lot of native speakers saying "is" in situations like this.

engee30 · #6 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jctgf

i would say "are" but i have been hearing a lot of native speakers saying "is" in situations like this.

Sometimes it's all about how you see the subject:
Significant exploration and development is underway to exploit Australia's substantial gas resources.

Here, exploration and developement are treated as a unit taking the singular form of the verb is.


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