|
kavitap
|
Subject Verb Agreement
|
|
Which of the two sentences is correct and why?
1. Here is your room key and two tickets for breakfast or 2. Here are your room key and two tickets for breakfast.
Thank you in advance for your help.
|
14 May 2014
|
|
|
|
elsnert
|
|
The first one is correct because "room key" is singular. If you have singular object you use "to be" in singular. If you have plural object you use it in plural form. Good luck!
|
14 May 2014
|
|
|
etoilist
|
|
The first one is correct because "room key "is singular and because it is implied to say ( Here is your room key and here are two tickets for breakfast) |
14 May 2014
|
|
|
kavitap
|
|
thank you for your answer. What about the �two tickets for breakfast � part? That is where the confusion comes in.
I thought that it was straightforward as what you said but a Teacher of English argued that �Here are your key and two tickets for breakfast � is the correct sentence. This was seen in a textbook. However, when the assistant (native speaker of English) attempted to correct it, that attempt was met with rejection.
Other answers welcomed. Thank you in advance. |
14 May 2014
|
|
|
allanwooding
|
|
The verb should match the plurality of the first object in the list of objects, regardless of the plurality of the following objects in the list. For example, "There is one boy, five girls and 2 adults in this room." Hope that helps K!
|
14 May 2014
|
|
|
kavitap
|
|
Thank you so much Allan. That is exactly what I needed. It was asked on behalf of a friend. I gave my linguistic explanation but just wanted other answers. There are so many rules in English and so many exceptions to the rules. This particular teacher is being a tad bit difficult and stressing my friend. |
14 May 2014
|
|
|
|
|
hope223
|
The second one is correct because we consider your room key and two tickets subject and since they are plural the verb must be are
so you can say (your room key and two tickets for breakfast are here) to make sure if it is right and that �s how we teach our student in my country when we have here or there!
I hope it help!
|
15 May 2014
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
Allan has it right. Bruce |
15 May 2014
|
|
|
essam35
|
|
what about starting with two tickets would it be Here are 2 tickets or we would consider them all a unit Here is your two tickets and your room key ?
|
15 May 2014
|
|
|
paulanavarro
|
|
I learnt once that the object(s) which is nearest to the verb wins, and you have to conjugate your verb according to this. |
15 May 2014
|
|
