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From: smryan@netcom.com (Ahmed)
Subject: Re: "A is B" - which is subject ?
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Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 17:49:33 GMT
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In english, a sentence "A is B" where "A" is nomial, the verb agrees in
person and number with "A". It is possible, though unusual, to invert
the sentence order so that A is adjectival and the verb agrees with B:
	All mimsy were the borogroves.
	Green grow the fields.
With a transitive verb, agreement is usually with nearest preceding
noun.

If the preceding noun is compound, people vary on what the verb agrees 
with.
	She and I are going.
	She or I (?)am/is/are going.

A noun can be followed by an adjectival phrase such as a prepostional 
phrase or subordinate clause. For some speakers, agreement is indeed 
with the nearest noun, even if it is subordinate. This is regarded as 
'incorrect,' but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Qualified nouns "all X", "every X", "each X", etc, are grammatically 
singular to some people, plural to others. The standard is singular.
	Every little bit helps.
	Someone is here.
Collectives vary.
	All is well.
	People are watching.
	All are safe.
	Some disagree.
	The set of integers is/are infinite.
-- 
The Brothers of the brooding Dark,         | smryan@netcom.com  PO Box 1563
the Fathers of the fighters stark,         |          Cupertino, California
that left their might, the Lake and Height,| (xxx)xxx-xxxx            95015
and met the Mother moist and dark.         |              intolerance kills
