Fwd: IS or ARE

[Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>]

I checked with Mr. Grammar (my stepbrother) who was an advisor on McGraw
Hill grammar books.

Phil is right on, so the answer in this context is "is".

(Reminds my of a certain POTUS during impeachment hearings...)    ;^)


On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 7:12 PM, Phil03 <philstokes03 -at- googlemail -dot- com> wrote:

> On 25 Jul 2012, at 05:51, "Peter Neilson" <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net> wrote:
>
> > The words "of free service" is a prepositional phrase modifying the
> subject of the sentence, "months" which is plural.
> >
> > It is are. Is is wrong.
>
>
> Not so fast there, Peter!
>
> Some expressions which refer to measurement or to amounts of time and
> money may be either singular or plural. When you want such expressions to
> mean items grouped together to form a single unit, use a singular verb.
> When you want such expressions to mean several separate items, use a plural
> verb. Compare these:
>
> One thousand dollars is too much to pay for a hair cut. (‘one thousand’ is
> a single number)
>
> Two weeks is a long time in politics.
> (the time is meant to be understood as one period)
>
> Which is correct, 'is' or 'are' depends on whether the free service is one
> period or not. Can the months be separated? (I would think not, in this
> context) as in
>
> Use 'ARE'  the situation is parallel to A:
>
> A, 4 hours are plenty for examinations (a 2-hour test at the beginning of
> the course, and a 2-hour test at the end)
>
> USE 'IS' if the situation is parallel to B:
>
> B. 4 hours is given to complete the test.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 25 Jul 2012, at 05:51, "Peter Neilson" <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net> wrote:
>
> > The words "of free service" is a prepositional phrase modifying the
> subject of the sentence, "months" which is plural.
> >
> > It is are. Is is wrong.
> >
> > I'll refrain from eliminating the passive voice.
> >
> > On Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:40:40 -0400, Keith Mahoney <
> kamahoney1965 -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> >> My choice, M8.....go with "is"
> >>
> >> ~Mahoney
> >>
> >> On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 3:38 PM, John Posada <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi, guys...quick question...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Two months of free service is given to a current customer
> >>>
> >>> or
> >>>
> >>> Two months of free service are given to a current customer
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> My thought is that "is" should be used as free service is given.
> >>>
> >>> Please no suggestions to rewriting or context, or needing more
> >>> information...I have no choice than to use one of them the way it is
> and it
> >>> goes out tomorrow, so I have a limited option for battles.
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> John Posada
> >>> Rock portfolio: http://jposada.zenfolio.com/musicportfolio
> >>> Twitter: @rockbandphotos
> >>> Blog: http://jposada.zenfolio.com/blog
> >>>
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