Grammar

[puzzle]

You might ask before you borrow my car.
:?:I.When should I say this sentence, after somebody borrowed my car or in case somebody will borrow my car ?
II. If it is "sb has borrowed the car", why not use the past tense " borrowed"?

The unemployment statistics are/is disturbing.
:?: Either "are" or "is" is right in this case. Right?

Please.

 

[David L.]

You might ask before you borrow my car in future! I'm really annoyed. I thought it had been stolen.

in case somebody will borrow my car
Please ask me first if you want to borrow my car.


The unemployment statistics are disturbing.

Why did you think that 'is' would also be correct?

 

[puzzle]

David L.Re: Grammar
You might ask before you borrow my car in future! I'm really annoyed. I thought it had been stolen.

:?:If someone has borrowed my car without my permission,can I blame he "you might ask before you borrowed" ?

The reason I use "is" because I take "The unemployment statistics" as a whole. Why can't it be?

Please.

 

[David L.]

"You might have asked before you borrowed my car."

The unemployment statistics

Statistics is plural.

Why should it be taken as singular??

Take:
"The undecided voters will swing this election."

Equally, why should "The undecided voters" be regarded as singular and not plural????

 

[puzzle]

So, "The unemployment statistics is ..." is definitely wrong. Right, David?