A grammar question...

[shane]

Okay, I'm the first to admit that my grammar is a bit dodgy!

In the school book today, there was the following sentence:

"How much do a hamburger and a hot dog cost?"

I swear that we usually ask "How much does a hamburger and a hot dog cost" - am I right or wrong?
We could also ask:

"How much is a hamburger and a hot dog?"
"How much would a hamburger and a hot dog cost?"

Am I right? I'm right, aren't I? Please tell me I'm right! :wink:

Shane

Originally Posted by shane

In the school book today, there was the following sentence:

"How much do a hamburger and a hot dog cost?"

I swear that we usually ask "How much does a hamburger and a hot dog cost" - am I right or wrong?
We could also ask:

"How much is a hamburger and a hot dog?"
"How much would a hamburger and a hot dog cost?"

Am I right? I'm right, aren't I? Please tell me I'm right! :wink:

Shane

I get confused too, maybe you are right by using"does" or "would",Shane!

[shane]

Originally Posted by lucyarliwu

I get confused too, maybe you are right by using"does" or "would",Shane!

Thanks Lucy! I'm convinced I'm right :D
However, I'm waiting for one of the experts to come along IYKWIM (If You Know What I Mean) :wink:

P.S. NOT that I am calling you a 'non expert'!!!

Donot worry, Shane!

It doesn't matter to be regarded as a layman for me, because I 'll be bold to participate any discussion or topics and raising questions without any pressure freely. :)

Lucy--a proud English layman ;)

[Red5]

Hi Shane,

I'm definitely on your side with this one, but I'll let the real teachers come in and have their say for a definitive answer.

[shane]

Originally Posted by lucyarliwu

Donot worry, Shane!

It doesn't matter to be regarded as a layman for me, because I 'll be bold to participate any discussion or topics and raising questions without any pressure freely. :)

Lucy--a proud English layman ;)

Way to go Lucy; confidence is the key to success :D

[Tdol]

You often find a singular verb in sentences like yours, because it sounds better next to a singualr noun, even though there are two. It's especially common with 'there is a hot dog and a hamburger'. However, 'do' sounds better to me in this case. In BE, we are relaxed about this issue, but Americans tend to be a bit more picky.

[shane]

Thanks for clearing that up, Tdol :D

[Tdol]

You're welcome.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by shane

Okay, I'm the first to admit that my grammar is a bit dodgy!

In the school book today, there was the following sentence:

"How much do a hamburger and a hot dog cost?"

I swear that we usually ask "How much does a hamburger and a hot dog cost" - am I right or wrong?
We could also ask:

"How much is a hamburger and a hot dog?"
"How much would a hamburger and a hot dog cost?"

Am I right? I'm right, aren't I? Please tell me I'm right! :wink:

Shane

I would say "How much do a hamburger and a hot dog cost?" just the same as I would say "How much do they cost?" Sorry to be disagreeable. :wink:

The other sentences are, IMO, perfectly fine. I judge them as being equivalent to "What is the cost of a hamburger and a hot dog?" with "cost" being the object of "is".

8)