[Grammar] Relevant verb form after the subject

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fatimah0786

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In the sentence what should be the right word,"The only thing that I want you to hit right now is/are the books."
 

Raymott

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"Is" works. It refers back to 'thing'. One you have "the only thing" as the subject, the verb form 'are' is going to sound strange.
 

MikeNewYork

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You could also say "The only things that I want you to hit right now are the books."
 
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