Equal / =

[jack]

1. Puddles of water = spin out. (How do I say this?)
2. Puddles of water equal spin out.
3. Puddles of water equals spin out.

Are these correct? If not, why?
4. I hate puddles of water. It make you spin out.

5. I hate puddles of water, it make you spin out.

[RonBee]

First, you really don't want to use the word equal at all. Instead, you are talking about what puddles cause to happen.

Perhaps:

Puddles lead to splashes and spills.

Or:

Puddles make me slip and slide and fall on my rear.
It isn't the rain but the puddles that I fear.

[jack]

Thanks.

What about this?
1. 1+1=2 (How do I say this?)
Is it this?
2. One plus one equals two.
or
3. One plus one equal two.

What about this? I know this sounds kind of odd to say it, but which one is correct?
4. Puddles of water equal car accidents.
5. Puddles of water equals car accidents.

Are these correct? If not, why?
6. I hate puddles of water. It causes your car to sping out. (If I have a period there, 'cause' is 'causes' right?)
7. I hate puddles of water, it cause your car to sping out. (If I have a comma there, 'cause' is 'cause' right?)

[Casiopea]

The underlined portions are equations. In English, an equation functions as a singular subject, so it takes a singular verb:

One plus one equals two.
One plus two equals three.
Two plus two equals four.

Punctuation (i.e., commas and periods, etc.) has nothing to do with subject-verb agreement:

4. Puddles of water equal car accidents. (Plural subject)
6. I hate puddles of water. They cause your car to spin out. (Plural subject)

In 6., 'They' refers back to 'puddles'. It's plural, so 'They' is plural.

[jack]

Thanks.

[RonBee]

I'll try to cover what Cas didn't. First, of water is not usually necessary, since puddles are usually water anyhow. Perhaps:

Puddles cause car accidents.

Or:

Puddles cause cars to slip and slide.

They make for a bumpy ride.

P.S. Say spin out.

[jack]

Thanks.

First, of water is not usually necessary, since puddles are usually water anyhow.

This is useful.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by jack

Thanks.
This is useful.

Ronbee is great.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Ronbee is great.

Thanks.