Correct way to write - SC

Question

I want to know which form is correct.

To make sweets sugar and coconut ,a dry or a wet one, is  combined with milk.......

OR

To make sweets sugar and coconut ,a dry or a wet one, are  combined with milk.......

thanks in advance

mikemcgarry · Answer

Dear viksingh15 , I'm happy to respond. :-)

With all due respect, my friend, I am having trouble understanding what you are trying to communicate in this sentence. I am having trouble determining exactly what you intend as the subject. I will suggest this blog article: https://magoosh.com/gmat/2014/compound-s ... e-phrases/ If you question is about having an "OR" subject, then I can answer this question. If we have "or" then the verb has to agree with noun #2. Noun #1 doesn't matter at all. If noun #2 is singular, then the verb is singular; if noun #2 is plural, then the verb is plural. Either the Prime Minister or the members of parliament are going to announce . . . Either the members of parliament or the Prime Minister is going to announce . . . Does all this make sense? Mike :-)

viksingh15 · Answer

Thanks Mike for looking into it.

My concern is if we are saying that we are doing something by a combination of two things, so verb will be plural or singular. In this case
To make sweet we need {sugar and coconut,<a property of coconut>} is combined with < something>

or do we need to say :
To make sweet we need {sugar and coconut,<a property of coconut>} are combined with < something>

so we need to use is/are ?

mikemcgarry · Answer

Dear viksingh15 , My friend, with all due respect, I recommend that, at this point in your learning process, you do NOT write your own example sentences to ask grammar questions. You see, the sentence about which you are asking, whether with " is " or " are ," makes absolutely no sense to a native speaker. For example, at least in American English, the word " sweet " is an adjective: I can't tell whether you are using it as a noun, or misusing the idiom " to make sweet ." Also, the verb " need " has to be followed by an infinitive phrase, NOT by an independent clause or a "that" clause. incorrect : We need X is combined with Y . incorrect : We need that X is combined with Y . correct : We need to combine X with Y . correct : We need X to be combined with Y . You see, my friend, I can see that you are eager to ask a specific question, but unfortunately, your command of English grammar is not sufficient to construct otherwise flawless sentence that ask about only one specific point. I strongly suggest that you start a daily habit of reading, which will build all your verbal skills. See this blog article: https://magoosh.com/gmat/2014/how-to-im ... bal-score/ As you read, you inevitable will find sentences that you don't understand. Sentences from high quality newspapers and magazines are very good to post here, with your questions. Please do that rather than making up your own sentences. Does all this make sense? Mike

Correct way to write - SC

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