English Language Discussion Forums


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Quick Links
Sites for Teachers



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26-Feb-2008, 10:45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Country: Singapore
Posts: 1,096
Current Location: Singapore
Native Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
kohyoongliat is on a distinguished road
Default is/are

What is/are needed is/are a pen and a pencil.

Which verbs should I use?

Many thanks.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 26-Feb-2008, 11:22
shalstudent's Avatar
Key Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Country: INDIA
Posts: 4,547
Current Location: Bangalore
Native Language: Malayalam
Member Type: Other
shalstudent has a spectacular aura aboutshalstudent has a spectacular aura aboutshalstudent has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: is/are

Quote:
Originally Posted by kohyoongliat View Post
What is/are needed is/are a pen and a pencil.

Which verbs should I use?

Many thanks.

What is needed, is a pen and a pencil.

What are needed, are pens and pencils.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-Mar-2008, 15:53
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Country: Singapore
Posts: 1,096
Current Location: Singapore
Native Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
kohyoongliat is on a distinguished road
Default Re: is/are

Quote:
Originally Posted by shalstudent View Post
What is needed, is a pen and a pencil.

What are needed, are pens and pencils.
Hi Teacher

As Shalstudent is not a teacher, could one of the teacher members from the forum confirm whether his/her answer is correct?

Many thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-Mar-2008, 06:33
Key Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Country: canada
Posts: 2,862
Current Location: canada
Native Language: english
Member Type: Other
2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: is/are

Quote:
Originally Posted by kohyoongliat View Post
What is/are needed is/are a pen and a pencil.

Which verbs should I use? I would say, 'What is needed are a pen and a pencil.' That seems and sounds right, because I think "What" is an 'it'. (but I am also going to ask 'my' grammar expert if he agrees)

Checking google, there is almost a 4:1 preponderance of "What is needed are..." over "What are needed are...".
Many thanks.
2006
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-Mar-2008, 07:09
Key Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Country: canada
Posts: 2,862
Current Location: canada
Native Language: english
Member Type: Other
2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold2006 is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: is/are

The grammar expert agrees with "What is needed are a pen and a pencil."
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
School fees is/are high???? Unregistered1 Ask a Teacher 7 15-Oct-2009 04:34
While most of his family is/are medically-minded-- angliholic Ask a Teacher 2 22-Dec-2007 00:52
my family is/are? jimanhk Ask a Teacher 1 09-Nov-2007 08:48
There is/are plenty of fish in the sea. angliholic Ask a Teacher 2 31-Oct-2007 15:10
there is/are roxileny1 Ask a Teacher 1 21-Jul-2007 05:07


All times are GMT. The time now is 01:39.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.2
Copyright © 2002 - 2010 UsingEnglish.com