Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Subject--verb agreement
I am confused about subject--verb agreement in the following type of sentence.
The influence of x and y on z IS/ARE shown in panel 1 and 2.
I want the sentence to mean: The influence of x on z is shown in panel 1 and the influence of y on z is shown in panel 2. Obviously, I could just say this to make my point absolutely clear, but I am interested in which is correct above.
My instinct is to use `IS' to agree with `influence', but also wonder if that then implies a combined influence of x AND y. On the other hand, I wonder if `ARE' is correct because we are talking about the influence of x AND the influence of y, but `ARE' sounds wrong to me.
I also thought of changing `influence' to `influences' (and using `ARE'), but that might then imply that x has `influences', rather than `an influence' on z.
I think I'm complicating this too much. Is there a rule that I am missing/misunderstanding?
Thank you
The influence of x and y on z IS/ARE shown in panel 1 and 2.
I want the sentence to mean: The influence of x on z is shown in panel 1 and the influence of y on z is shown in panel 2. Obviously, I could just say this to make my point absolutely clear, but I am interested in which is correct above.
My instinct is to use `IS' to agree with `influence', but also wonder if that then implies a combined influence of x AND y. On the other hand, I wonder if `ARE' is correct because we are talking about the influence of x AND the influence of y, but `ARE' sounds wrong to me.
I also thought of changing `influence' to `influences' (and using `ARE'), but that might then imply that x has `influences', rather than `an influence' on z.
I think I'm complicating this too much. Is there a rule that I am missing/misunderstanding?
Thank you
Top answer
' My instinct is to use `IS' to agree with `influence', but also wonder if that then implies a combined influence of x AND y. -- Yes, that is the implication. - - If 'influence' remains singular, no 'are' .
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Use this: 'The influences of x and y on z are shown in panels 1 and 2.'
My instinct is to use `IS' to agree with `influence', but also wonder if that then implies a combined influence of x AND y. -- Yes, that is the implication.
On the other hand, I wonder if `ARE' is correct because we are talking about the influence of x AND the influence of
My instinct is to use `IS' to agree with `influence', but also wonder if that then implies a combined influence of x AND y. -- Yes, that is the implication.
On the other hand, I wonder if `ARE' is correct because we are talking about the influence of x AND the influence of
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