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howtowhyis
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Posts: 32
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 Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:49 pm Post subject: are or is for abstract nouns? |
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The theme and the plot of the novel are/is very interesting.
Is/Are theme and plot abstract nouns? Do I use are or is?
The fine view and the environment of the village are/is fantastic.
Is/Are view and environment abstract nouns? Do I use are or is?
Do the same rules apply for statements and questions when using are and is for abstract nouns?
A bit confused  |
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CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:13 am Post subject: |
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Use "are" when the subject is plural, "is" when singular. Whether the nouns are abstract or concrete makes no difference.
Therefore, use "are" for both your sentences.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
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Mary W. Ng
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 261
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: are or is for abstract nouns? |
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Whether one uses is or are with a compound subject depends on the meaning of the compound subject.
| howtowhyis wrote: |
| The theme and the plot of the novel are/is very interesting. . . . Do I use are or is? |
This sentence has a compound subject consisting of two subject parts: the theme and the plot. Since the two subject parts refer to two different things, the compound subject the theme and the plot is plural in meaning and takes the plural verb are.
| howtowhyis wrote: |
| The fine view and the environment of the village are/is fantastic. . . . Do I use are or is? |
This sentence too has a compound subject consisting of two subject parts: the fine view and the environment. Since the two subject parts refer to two different things, the compound subject the fine view and the environment is plural in meaning and takes the plural verb are.
Please note that when the subject parts of a compound subject refer to the same person, are thought of as one unit, or are closely related things, the compound subject is singular in meaning and takes a singular verb, as shown in the following 3 examples:
- The president and chief executive officer has resigned.
Here the two subject parts (the president and chief executive officer) refer to the same person; the compound subject the president and chief executive officer is singular in meaning and takes the singular auxiliary verb has.
- Fish and chips is my favourite lunch.
Here the two subject parts (fish and chips) are thought of as one unit; the compound subject fish and chips is singular in meaning and takes the singular verb is.
- The anger and hatred of the community is hard to explain.
Here the two subject parts (the anger and hatred) are closely related things; the compound subject the anger and hatred is singular in meaning and takes the singular verb is.
However, when the definite article the is repeated before the second subject part to emphasize it, the compound subject is plural in meaning and takes a plural verb, as shown in the following example:
- The anger and the hatred of the community are hard to explain.
Here the two subject parts (the anger and the hatred) refer to two different things; the compound subject the anger and the hatred is plural in meaning and takes the plural verb are.
Best regards,
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com |
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