This is one of the stories that show / shows the Buddhist concept of our behaviour.

[Tan Elaine]

This is one of the stories that show / shows the Buddhist concept of our behaviour. I think although it is true that to speak is easy but to conduct is difficult, we are constantly trying to create good causes for our own happiness.

Which verb should I use?

Thanks.

 

[tedmc]

The object, "one of the stories" is singular. So the verb should be "shows"
The second sentence is not correct.

not a teacher

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

I would say, 'This is one of the stories that shows…'

I don't think the second sentence is incorrect; it just needs its punctuation improved.

 

[tedmc]

Is conduct a transitive or intransitive verb?
"To create causes for happiness" does not sound right, does it?


not a teacher

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

I don't think it is a very good sentence, but it seems to mean:

'I think, although it is true that, "to speak is easy but to conduct is difficult", we are constantly trying to create good causes for our own happiness.'

A 'good cause' is a principle that is considered worthy and should be supported. The sentence is saying that we are constantly creating them for our own benefit.

 

[Rover_KE]

I would say 'One of the stories that show...', just like I wouild say

'I am one of those people who like football.'

'She is one of those who hate going to the dentist.'

 

[Barb_D]

I agree with Rover. It is one of [the stories that show...]

 

[Olympian]

...

A 'good cause' is a principle that is considered worthy and should be supported. The sentence is saying that we are constantly creating them for our own benefit.

****Not a teacher****

That is one meaning. The sentence in the story refers to the concept of 'karma' in which we (knowingly or unknowingly) create good and bad causes through our thoughts, speech (words) and action/deeds, which in turn bear fruits (results) that we then experience.

For the second sentence, perhaps it can be started like this - I think although it is easier said than done, .....

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

This might be of interest to learners.

After expressions like one of the ... , singular and plural verbs are both used in relative clauses beginning who, which or that.

She's one of the few women who have/has climbed Everest.

This is one of those books that are/is read by everybody.

Strictly speaking, a plural verb is correct (to agree with the few women who or those books that). However, singular verbs are also very common in these structures.

Michael Swan. Practical English Usage

 

[tedmc]

One question on OP's sentence:

I think although it is true that to speak is easy but to conduct is difficult...

Shouldn't there be an object after conduct? Conduct what?

not a teacher

 

[Raymott]

"However, singular verbs are also very common in these structures.
Michael Swan. Practical English Usage"

That's possible. I believe that Michael Swan is far too non-prescriptive at times. Many examples of incorrect grammar are very common. But there's no suggestion here that the phrase means anything but "There are stories that show X and this is one of them ("one of the stories that show X").
Learners (and others) should consider whether, by saying it is common, Swan is calling it correct.

There is a place for that construction. "Many of the stories show the Buddhist concept of behaviour; this is one [of the stories] that doesn't." It's also one [of the stories that don't].
Possibly the determinant is the negation. Swan would be right here in that the emphasis could call for one form or the other. Similarly correct is "Not many stories show the Buddhist concept of behaviour. This is one [of the stories] that does." It is also one [of the stories that do.]

And perhaps that's why it's so commonly misused as in the original context.

 

[tedmc]

I have a question on OP's sentence:

I think although it is true that to speak is easy but to conduct is difficult, we are constantly trying to create good causes for our own happiness.

Shouldn't there be an object after conduct? Conduct what?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Should it be 'to speak of it is easy but to conduct it is difficult'?

Not a teacher.

 

[Olympian]

One question on OP's sentence:

I think although it is true that to speak is easy but to conduct is difficult...

Shouldn't there be an object after conduct? Conduct what?

not a teacher

**** Not a teacher ****

("although it is true that to speak is easy...")
I am guessing that the intention here is something like this:

Although it is easy to say that we/others should do something (in this case create good causes),

("but to conduct is difficult")

to make it a part of our conduct is difficult - or in other words, to conduct ourselves accordingly (according to what is said above) is difficult.

Since all this seemed convoluted, I suggested a phrase that is commonly used, namely - 'easier said than done'.

 

[Raymott]

I have a question on OP's sentence:

Shouldn't there be an object after conduct? Conduct what?

Yes it needs an object. "To conduct oneself (in that way) is difficult." It doesn't make complete sense, but the original sentence is bad, and there's no apparent point in correcting it.