all I hear right now is-are excuses

[Boris Tatarenko]

Which one is correct?

1) All I hear right now is excuses
2) All I hear right now are excuses

:roll:

 

[MikeNewYork]

2.

 

[Rover_KE]

Boris, no sentence is correct without a final punctuation mark.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think the following is worth the OP's reference, but I am not a teacher.
'Linking verbs agree with the subject, not the predicate noun/compliment.'── quoted from http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/writing/svagree.html

 

[TheParser]

'Linking verbs agree with the subject, not the predicate noun/compliment.'

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Yes, Mr. Wai, that is, indeed, the rule.

I think, however, that -- as a teacher has stated in this thread -- many (most?) Americans would, indeed, say "All (that) I hear right now are excuses."

Nevertheless, the traditional rule does call for the singular with the word "all."

That is to say, "The one thing that I hear right now is excuses."

Here are three "incorrect" sentences taken from a book written some years ago by a very "strict" author. (The fact that he found these "incorrect" sentences is "proof" that native speakers often break the rule.)

1. "All that came to him were voices." (Use "was.")
2. "All you need are a cup of molasses, 2 teaspoons of vinegar, 3/4 cup of sugar." (Use "is.")
3. "All we need are a few suits of armor hanging over the line to dry." ((Use "is.")

*****

I thought that some students would like this information. Of course, students want to learn current and natural-sounding English, so they should follow the advice of the teachers here. I will keep my choice to myself.


Source: Wilson Follett, Modern American Usage (1980 edition), page 233.

 

[Polyester]

James,
Where were you finding these information on the Internet?
I found nothing at the any site or on the Internet.
Would you like to find a grammar book for reference?(Because I always look at your post that all of threads are stated where the resource from.)

 

[Matthew Wai]

Where were you finding these information on the Internet?

I think you are oblivious to the following line, but I am not a teacher.

Source: Wilson Follett, Modern American Usage (1980 edition), page 233.

 

[emsr2d2]

The Parser's post shows that it has been edited. It's possible that he/she added that information after post #6 but before post #7.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I have to disagree with The Parser. "All" is not always singular.

What happened to the cupcakes? All have been eaten.
Has anyone checked on the passengers? All have been accounted for.

 

[Raymott]

I'd accept either of the original sentences. They both sound natural.
I'd probably say 1, since I'd take it to mean, "The only thing I hear right now is excuses" rather then, "The only things I hear right now are excuses."

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Polyester:

As Matthew Wai gently reminded you, I did include the source. Maybe you meant that you tried to find it on the Web and could not find it. Like a lot of older people, I have the actual book at home. I do not know whether it is on the Web.


If you get a chance to check this book (at a good library, at a good bookstore, on the Web (?)), you will find it very interesting and helpful.

To be frank, some of his standards are too high for today's current English. In other words, many people consider him to be too old-fashioned. I feel, however, that all advanced students and native speakers who are seriously interested in grammar should read it.

Regarding this particular topic ("All" + singular / plural verb), I am sure that you can find A LOT OF material on the Web. I think that it all depends on what you type into the search box.


I think that many (most?) people would agree with Raymott's comments.

 

[Matthew Wai]

"All" is not always singular.

I think the following can be another example, but I am not a teacher.
'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden...'── Matthew 11:28

The Parser's post shows that it has been edited. It's possible that he/she added that information after post #6 but before post #7.

It's impossible because TheParser edited it more than one hour before post#6 was made.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I don't see the connection between 'high standards' and 'old-fashioned'.

I think high standards are not common currency nowadays and are thus considered old-fashioned, but I am not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Matthew, I agree with you.

* This was meant for post #12.

 

[Tdol]

I think high standards are not common currency nowadays and are thus considered old-fashioned, but I am not a teacher.

People have been lamenting the decline of standards in English for hundreds of years, but somehow it manages to get by. Many would argue that these standards were not so much high as narrow, and that they belonged to a time and place - and only to some groups then - which is why they seem old-fashioned today.