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raperonzolo
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MIND GAP
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Hi friends, I have a big problem: Look at the following sentences
Why are the steamer and the frequency machine useful?
Why is the steamer and the frequency machine useful?
Is the first the correct answer?
I �ve this doubt because... there are cats and dogs, but there is a cat and a dog |
15 Jun 2009
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**********
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Both are correct, because the verb can agree either to the last subject or both.
I guess the same happens with your language .
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15 Jun 2009
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raperonzolo
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 Thank you very much! It �s true, in my language it �s the same but Italian is always different from English! |
15 Jun 2009
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ishu
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I would say "Why are the steamer and the frequency machine useful?" is the correct one. |
15 Jun 2009
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Zora
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The complete subject of the sentence is "the steamer and the frequency machine" - it is EXACTLY the same idea as "Tom and Jane" "Jerry and his brother".... SO, the answer is "are"... not "is"...
"Why are the steamer and the frequency machine useful?" is the only correct option.
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16 Jun 2009
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gokceozge
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the steamer and the frequency machine are different subjects. Therefore "are" should be used in this sentence. I agree with Zora.
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16 Jun 2009
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semisy
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try to use pronoun instead of "the steamer and the frequency machine". what would you use? I think "they" .... so, the correct option is "why are the ..............?" |
16 Jun 2009
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Spagman63
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It is a compound subject and MUST use are for the verb. Turn it around: The frequency machine and steamer ARE useful. BOTH CANNOT be correct. DOH!!!!
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16 Jun 2009
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mariamit
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I agree with Spagman and Zora only "are" is correct. Spagman gives the best example by turning the sentence around. That �s how I was taught to find the correct verb form also. |
16 Jun 2009
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genzianella
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Hi Raperonzolo! I �d say you need a plural here! It �s like: "Tom and Jane are my parents".
The same goes in Italian, you say "Paolo e Maria sono ... " not "Paolo e Maria � ..."
Hugs from Milan, where the weather is already unbearably hot and muggy!!! |
16 Jun 2009
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