[Grammar] Singular or Plural..

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rambharosey

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Hello!!

Should it be:

a. He is constructing a house from what appears to be broken bricks.

or

b. He is constructing a house from what appear to be broken bricks.

Could someone please let me know the reason for the choice as well.

I think it should be a., but my collague contents that since bricks is plural, appear should be used.

Thanks in anticipation.
 

Rover_KE

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Your friend is correct, for the reason he gave.

Rover
 

Route21

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"contents"(typo?) - did you mean "contends".
Best regards
R21
 

Rover_KE

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Well spotted, Route. I missed that.

Rover
 

Verona_82

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I read the sentence like this:

He's constructing the house from [the material that = what] appears to be bricks. :-?

Is such a reading quite impossible?
 

Raymott

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I read the sentence like this:

He's constructing the house from [the material that = what] appears to be bricks. :-?

Is such a reading quite impossible?
I'd say no; it's quite possible. Either version is possible.
"He's coating the fish in what appear to be breadcrumbs."
 

konungursvia

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I'd say no; it's quite possible. Either version is possible.
"He's coating the fish in what appear to be breadcrumbs."


I agree with Ray, especially since broken bricks are not absolutely certain to be countable.
 

TheParser

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Hello!!

Should it be:

a. He is constructing a house from what appears to be broken bricks.

or

b. He is constructing a house from what appear to be broken bricks.

Could someone please let me know the reason for the choice as well.

I think it should be a., but my collague contents that since bricks is plural, appear should be used.

Thanks in anticipation.


NOT A TEACHER


I have checked several books, and perhaps we can

interpret your sentence as:

He is constructing a house from what ( = the things that)

appear to be broken bricks.


Respectfully yours,


James
 
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