one of the children who is/are missing

[kohyoongliat]

She is one of the children who is/are missing.

Which is the correct verb?

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

It depends on the intended meaning.

1. One of the children is missing - She is one of the children who is missing.
2. More than one of the children is missing - She is one of the children who are missing.

#1 is unlikely. We are more likely to say She is missing.

 

[Barque]

I'd only use "are" in that sentence. It appears to mean more than one* child is missing and she's one of them.

*Edited to add "one".

One of the children is missing - She is one of the children who is missing.

I haven't followed. If only one child is missing, she is the child who's missing, not "one of them".

 

[PaulMatthews]

She is one of the children who is/are missing.

Which is the correct verb?

Thanks.

She is one of the children who is/are missing.

I'd say that the natural interpretation is that a number of children are missing and "she" is one of them.

Grammatically, the relative clause modifies the embedded NP with "children" as head, not the topmost noun phrase with "one" as head.

Thus, the plural verb "are" is correct.

 

[5jj]

She is one of the children who is/are missing.

I'd say that the natural interpretation is that a number of children are missing and "she" is one of them.

I agree.

Grammatically, the relative clause modifies the embedded NP with "children" as head, not the topmost noun phrase with "one" as head.

Not necessarily.

 

[Tarheel]

I'd only use "are" in that sentence. It appears to mean more than child is missing and she's one of them.


If only one child is missing, she is the child who's missing, not "one of them".

True. However, more than one child is missing.

 

[PaulMatthews]

Not necessarily.

If my interpretation is correct, then the relative clause can only be modifying "children". For it to modify "one" a different interpretation would be required, i.e. one where there is not a set of children who are missing but simply of there being a child who is missing.

 

[Tarheel]

I'd only use "are" in that sentence. It appears to mean more than child is missing and she's one of them.



I don't follow you. If only one child is missing, she is the child who's missing, not "one of them".

There is more than one child missing.

 

[White Hat]

How about a comma in front of who?

She is one of the children, who is missing.

 

[5jj]

No.