[Grammar] Singular or Plural..

[rambharosey]

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]

Your friend is correct, for the reason he gave.

Rover

 

[Route21]

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

 

[Rover_KE]

Well spotted, Route. I missed that.

Rover

 

[Verona_82]

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]

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]

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]

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