[Grammar] lead or leads?

[wear_my_socks]

Hi all, having a debate over whether the word lead(s) applies to the plural "Guests" in this sentence or the singular "This". Please ignore the fact that Guests is capitalised, it's policy. I won't say which is my choice!

Option A

- This will lead to happier Guests which, of course, leads to more bookings for you.

Option B

- This will lead to happier Guests which, of course, lead to more bookings for you.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forums, wear_my_socks.:-D

The idea is that you must first say which is your choice and why.

We will then be glad to comment.

Rover

 

[wear_my_socks]

Thanks very much!

Mine is Option B. Why? I believe there is an implied subject change from 'This' to 'Guests' in the latter clause.

 

[bhaisahab]

Thanks very much!

Mine is Option B. Why? I believe there is an implied subject change from 'This' to 'Guests' in the latter clause.

Option A is correct.

 

[wear_my_socks]

For me there is a subtle but significant different between the two sentences. If This = 1, Guests = 2 and bookings =3:

For me, Option A says 1 leads to 2 and therefore 1 also leads to 3,

while Option B says 1 leads to 2 and 2 leads to 3.

If that makes sense.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I agree that option A is correct. The subject is the singular "this". The test is to get rid of "will lead to happier Guests which, of course,". That leaves you with "This leads to more bookings for you".

 

[wear_my_socks]

Yeah I get that. What I was going for could be extended as: "This will lead to happier Guests; and happier Guests will, of course, lead to more bookings for you."

As I said, slightly different. Is the way I wrote it just plain wrong? No matter how many times I read it back to myself I still think it's correct. I'll of course bow to consensus if I'm outnumbered, but B still reads right to me.

 

[5jj]

Yeah I get that. What I was going for could be extended as: "This will lead to happier Guests; and happier Guests will, of course, lead to more bookings for you."

As I said, slightly different. Is the way I wrote it just plain wrong? No matter how many times I read it back to myself I still think it's correct. I'll of course bow to consensus if I'm outnumbered, but B still reads right to me.

That would be: This will lead to happier Guests who, of course, lead to more bookings for you.

 

[emsr2d2]

I would use A too. For me, it refers to "This" (the situation which led to happier guests).

 

[wear_my_socks]

Thanks all.

 

[Rover_KE]

wear_my_socks, instead of sending your thanks in a separate message, just click the Like button, please.

The reason is that it is flagged as a new post, so we think you might have a follow-up question or something to add. Those of us with slow internet connections and/or old computers have to waste valuable time waiting for it to appear.

Thank you.

Rover