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From: rte@elmo.lz.att.com (Ralph T. Edwards)
Subject: Re: "A is B" - which is subject ?
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References: <3pjg37$c71$1@mhafc.production.compuserve.com> <1995May29.184307.11341@rzu-news.unizh.ch> <smryanD9EK6L.pD@netcom.com>
Date: Wed, 31 May 1995 21:45:23 GMT
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In article <smryanD9EK6L.pD@netcom.com>, smryan@netcom.com (Ahmed) wrote:

> 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.

Important cases where B is the subject include:

Who are you?

There are three reasons.

"*There is three reasons" makes my teeth hurt.  Never-the-less it is
becoming increasingly common.

-- 
R.T.Edwards rte@elmo.att.com 908 576-3031
