[Grammar] A young couple decides to ...

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angelene001

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Can I say both:
A young couple decides to buy a car. ---> I'd choose this one.
A young couple decide to buy a car.


Can I treat "a couple" like "a team", "a family"?

I've got one more problem with the verb:
The highlight for me was the special effects.
The highlight for me were the special effects.
---> I'd choose this one.
 

5jj

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Can I say both: Yes
A young couple decides to buy a car. ---> I'd choose this one.
A young couple decide to buy a car.


Can I treat "a couple" like "a team", "a family"? Yes

I've got one more problem with the verb:
The highlight for me was the special effects.
The highlight for me were the special effects.
---> I'd choose this one.
The subject of the verb ('was') is the singular noun ''highlight'.
5
 

angelene001

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So the correct one in the second pair is only:
The highlight for me was the special effects.

The verb must agree with the subject.

But what about "My favourite food are eggs and carrots"?
 

angelene001

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I've got a huge problem with identifying if the verb should be in the plural or in the singular.

The highlight for me was the special effects.
The highlight = subject in the singular ----> we need singular verb.What about this:
The only thing I didn't like were the old-fashioned costumes.
What's the subject here?
The only thing I didn't like= subject in the singular.
 

5jj

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But what about "My favourite food are eggs and carrots"?
"My favourite food is eggs and carrot", if you happen to enjoy that unusual mix.

Otherwise, "My favourite foods are eggs and carrots".
 

5jj

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The only thing I didn't like were the old-fashioned costumes.
What's the subject here?
The only thing I didn't like = subject in the singular.
The only thing I didn't like was the old-fashioned costumes.
The only things I didn't like were the old-fashioned costumes.
 
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