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There are some subjects that could be singular or plural and I am confused how to identify them.
Few examples: Consider the below sentence
a) Repairing the foreclosed properties that are in bad condition are the latest initiative by the bank to stay competitive in the real estate market in which selling homes is not a easy task
In this q -: Repairing the foreclosed properties is a phrase and treated as the subject of this sentence. The verb of the above sentence is "ARE". Since the subject is a phrase and phrases are singular, ccan we treat this as Singular thus making the verb "IS" ?
In the same sentence, selling homes is a phrase and the subject here.. so here it is singular although we are talking about selling MULTIPLE HOMES. How is the verb singular "IS" ?
b) Reading mystery books gives me thrill - Here - one is reading multiple mystery books - not just one.. So why is it SINGULAR gives ? Although give sounds awkward but by the subject refers to multiple books.
c) Rising commercial real estate rates, a gauge used to determine the strength of the market, are likely to deter people from buying homes - In this sentence, Rising commercial real estate rates is a phrase and thus should be Singular.. So the verb should be IS and not ARE? Although multiple rates are rising but isn't a phrase singular just like Reading mystery books is Singular?
This is confusing. Can someone please help explain how to identify singular or plural subjects especially when it comes to phrases.
Thanks v much!!
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There are some subjects that could be singular or plural and I am confused how to identify them.
Few examples: Consider the below sentence
a) Repairing the foreclosed properties that are in bad condition are the latest initiative by the bank to stay competitive in the real estate market in which selling homes is not a easy task
In this q -: Repairing the foreclosed properties is a phrase and treated as the subject of this sentence. The verb of the above sentence is "ARE". Since the subject is a phrase and phrases are singular, ccan we treat this as Singular thus making the verb "IS" ?
In the same sentence, selling homes is a phrase and the subject here.. so here it is singular although we are talking about selling MULTIPLE HOMES. How is the verb singular "IS" ?
b) Reading mystery books gives me thrill - Here - one is reading multiple mystery books - not just one.. So why is it SINGULAR gives ? Although give sounds awkward but by the subject refers to multiple books.
c) Rising commercial real estate rates, a gauge used to determine the strength of the market, are likely to deter people from buying homes - In this sentence, Rising commercial real estate rates is a phrase and thus should be Singular.. So the verb should be IS and not ARE? Although multiple rates are rising but isn't a phrase singular just like Reading mystery books is Singular?
This is confusing. Can someone please help explain how to identify singular or plural subjects especially when it comes to phrases.
Thanks v much!!
Show more
All the examples you have mentioned consists of a gerund subject phrase - subject phrases with gerunds are ALWAYS SINGULAR !
Repairing the foreclosed properties that are in bad condition are the latest initiative by the bank to stay competitive in the real estate market in which selling homes is not a easy task... WRONG. The verb should be "is".
VERB-ING functions: 1. Verb-ING word as a noun 2. Verb-ING word as an adjective 3.Verb-ING as a verb with the helping verb.
1. Verbing words funciton as nouns that denote an action.
EX: Growing plants IS my hobby.
Here growing is the verb-ing noun because the word acts as a noun and hence the subject of the clause, but it also denotes the action.
VERB-ING nouns is that they are always SINGULAR. Reading mystery books gives me thrill..
2.VERB-ING as an adjective.
Verb-ing words function as adjectives.here it provides extra information of a particular noun entity...When the verb-ing word acts as an adjective, it doesn't have bearing on the verb of the sentence.The verb must agree in number and makes sense with subject of the sentence.
ex: Growing plants in your backyard need more care..
Here growing is adjective that presents a characteristic of the plants...what kind of plants need more care ? The plants that are growing.
3.VERB-ing as a verb with a helping verb: These verb-ing along with helping verbs function as verbs...
ex: I am growing banana plants in my farm...here growing is not able to tell the tense of the word but it is helping verb that tells the tense...
VERB-ING functions: 1. Verb-ING word as a noun 2. Verb-ING word as an adjective 3.Verb-ING as a verb with the helping verb.
1. Verbing words funciton as nouns that denote an action.
EX: Growing plants IS my hobby.
Here growing is the verb-ing noun because the word acts as a noun and hence the subject of the clause, but it also denotes the action.
VERB-ING nouns is that they are always SINGULAR. Reading mystery books gives me thrill..
2.VERB-ING as an adjective.
Verb-ing words function as adjectives.here it provides extra information of a particular noun entity...When the verb-ing word acts as an adjective, it doesn't have bearing on the verb of the sentence.The verb must agree in number and makes sense with subject of the sentence.
ex: Growing plants in your backyard need more care..
Here growing is adjective that presents a characteristic of the plants...what kind of plants need more care ? The plants that are growing.
3.VERB-ing as a verb with a helping verb: These verb-ing along with helping verbs function as verbs...
ex: I am growing banana plants in my farm...here growing is not able to tell the tense of the word but it is helping verb that tells the tense...
Hope it helps...
Show more
This explanation is amazing. Thanks for providing so much conceptual clarity.!!
So to summarize.. If the verbing word is performing the function of a noun, it is usually singular. When as an adjective it depends on the sentence..
VERB-ING functions: 1. Verb-ING word as a noun 2. Verb-ING word as an adjective 3.Verb-ING as a verb with the helping verb.
1. Verbing words funciton as nouns that denote an action.
EX: Growing plants IS my hobby.
Here growing is the verb-ing noun because the word acts as a noun and hence the subject of the clause, but it also denotes the action.
VERB-ING nouns is that they are always SINGULAR. Reading mystery books gives me thrill..
2.VERB-ING as an adjective.
Verb-ing words function as adjectives.here it provides extra information of a particular noun entity...When the verb-ing word acts as an adjective, it doesn't have bearing on the verb of the sentence.The verb must agree in number and makes sense with subject of the sentence.
ex: Growing plants in your backyard need more care..
Here growing is adjective that presents a characteristic of the plants...what kind of plants need more care ? The plants that are growing.
3.VERB-ing as a verb with a helping verb: These verb-ing along with helping verbs function as verbs...
ex: I am growing banana plants in my farm...here growing is not able to tell the tense of the word but it is helping verb that tells the tense...
Hope it helps...
Show more
How about this sentence:
The french handed over the information to the Poles because they believed it to be of no value.
How is The French Plural here? Isn't it referring to a Single Entity "The French"... Please help explain
VERB-ING functions: 1. Verb-ING word as a noun 2. Verb-ING word as an adjective 3.Verb-ING as a verb with the helping verb.
1. Verbing words funciton as nouns that denote an action.
EX: Growing plants IS my hobby.
Here growing is the verb-ing noun because the word acts as a noun and hence the subject of the clause, but it also denotes the action.
VERB-ING nouns is that they are always SINGULAR. Reading mystery books gives me thrill..
2.VERB-ING as an adjective.
Verb-ing words function as adjectives.here it provides extra information of a particular noun entity...When the verb-ing word acts as an adjective, it doesn't have bearing on the verb of the sentence.The verb must agree in number and makes sense with subject of the sentence.
ex: Growing plants in your backyard need more care..
Here growing is adjective that presents a characteristic of the plants...what kind of plants need more care ? The plants that are growing.
3.VERB-ing as a verb with a helping verb: These verb-ing along with helping verbs function as verbs...
ex: I am growing banana plants in my farm...here growing is not able to tell the tense of the word but it is helping verb that tells the tense...
Hope it helps...
This explanation is amazing. Thanks for providing so much conceptual clarity.!!
So to summarize.. If the verbing word is performing the function of a noun, it is usually singular. When as an adjective it depends on the sentence..
Is my understanding correct?
How about this sentence.
Rising property rates is of concern to homeowners
Or
ARE of concern to homeowners?
(should be ARE?)
How about this one:
Rising of property rates IS of concern
Or
ARE of concern.
Since rising is the subject thus singular?
Show more
1. Rising property rates is of concern to homeowners. "Rising" is NOT the subject - it is the adjective for the subject "property rates". Since "rates" is plural, the verb should also be plural. (An adjective cannot be singular or plural. ONLY a noun can be singular or plural).
2. Rising of property rates IS of concern. Here "rising" is a gerund (noun) and as stated previously in my post, a gerund is always singular. (The sentence is wrong though - concrete noun rise is better than gerund rising.)
There is a fourth use of verb-ing - as a present participle. The temperature rose drastically, increasing the sale of air-conditioners.
VERB-ING functions: 1. Verb-ING word as a noun 2. Verb-ING word as an adjective 3.Verb-ING as a verb with the helping verb.
1. Verbing words funciton as nouns that denote an action.
EX: Growing plants IS my hobby.
Here growing is the verb-ing noun because the word acts as a noun and hence the subject of the clause, but it also denotes the action.
VERB-ING nouns is that they are always SINGULAR. Reading mystery books gives me thrill..
2.VERB-ING as an adjective.
Verb-ing words function as adjectives.here it provides extra information of a particular noun entity...When the verb-ing word acts as an adjective, it doesn't have bearing on the verb of the sentence.The verb must agree in number and makes sense with subject of the sentence.
ex: Growing plants in your backyard need more care..
Here growing is adjective that presents a characteristic of the plants...what kind of plants need more care ? The plants that are growing.
3.VERB-ing as a verb with a helping verb: These verb-ing along with helping verbs function as verbs...
ex: I am growing banana plants in my farm...here growing is not able to tell the tense of the word but it is helping verb that tells the tense...
Hope it helps...
How about this sentence:
The french handed over the information to the Poles because they believed it to be of no value.
How is The French Plural here? Isn't it referring to a Single Entity "The French"... Please help explain
Show more
The French is used to mean the French people - hence plural.
VERB-ING functions: 1. Verb-ING word as a noun 2. Verb-ING word as an adjective 3.Verb-ING as a verb with the helping verb.
1. Verbing words funciton as nouns that denote an action.
EX: Growing plants IS my hobby.
Here growing is the verb-ing noun because the word acts as a noun and hence the subject of the clause, but it also denotes the action.
VERB-ING nouns is that they are always SINGULAR. Reading mystery books gives me thrill..
2.VERB-ING as an adjective.
Verb-ing words function as adjectives.here it provides extra information of a particular noun entity...When the verb-ing word acts as an adjective, it doesn't have bearing on the verb of the sentence.The verb must agree in number and makes sense with subject of the sentence.
ex: Growing plants in your backyard need more care..
Here growing is adjective that presents a characteristic of the plants...what kind of plants need more care ? The plants that are growing.
3.VERB-ing as a verb with a helping verb: These verb-ing along with helping verbs function as verbs...
ex: I am growing banana plants in my farm...here growing is not able to tell the tense of the word but it is helping verb that tells the tense...
Hope it helps...
This explanation is amazing. Thanks for providing so much conceptual clarity.!!
So to summarize.. If the verbing word is performing the function of a noun, it is usually singular. When as an adjective it depends on the sentence..
Is my understanding correct?
How about this sentence.
Rising property rates is of concern to homeowners
Or
ARE of concern to homeowners?
(should be ARE?)
How about this one:
Rising of property rates IS of concern
Or
ARE of concern.
Since rising is the subject thus singular?
1. Rising property rates is of concern to homeowners. "Rising" is NOT the subject - it is the adjective for the subject "property rates". Since "rates" is plural, the verb should also be plural. (An adjective cannot be singular or plural. ONLY a noun can be singular or plural).
2. Rising of property rates IS of concern. Here "rising" is a gerund (noun) and as stated previously in my post, a gerund is always singular. (The sentence is wrong though - concrete noun rise is better than gerund rising.)
There is a fourth use of verb-ing - as a present participle. The temperature rose drastically, increasing the sale of air-conditioners.
Show more
Great explanation! Thank you!!
How about this official question:
Eating saltwater fish may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and also aid for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, according to three research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In this case, Eating Saltwater fish --> This should be singular.. How come they use the PLURAL verb Reduce and not REDUCES?
Your quesstion : Eating saltwater fish may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and also aid for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, according to three research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In this case, Eating Saltwater fish --> This should be singular.. How come they use the PLURAL verb Reduce and not REDUCES?
In this sentence, 'eating' is a verb-ing noun that makes the subject of the sentence. But if 'MAY' is removed , then eating will take singular verb 'reduces'.
Your quesstion : Eating saltwater fish may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and also aid for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, according to three research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In this case, Eating Saltwater fish --> This should be singular.. How come they use the PLURAL verb Reduce and not REDUCES?
In this sentence, 'eating' is a verb-ing noun that makes the subject of the sentence. But if 'MAY' is removed , then eating will take singular verb 'reduces'.
Your quesstion : Eating saltwater fish may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and also aid for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, according to three research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In this case, Eating Saltwater fish --> This should be singular.. How come they use the PLURAL verb Reduce and not REDUCES?
In this sentence, 'eating' is a verb-ing noun that makes the subject of the sentence. But if 'MAY' is removed , then eating will take singular verb 'reduces'.
Show more
It would be great help if you can throw some light on How does may make singular subject to plural.
Your quesstion : Eating saltwater fish may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and also aid for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, according to three research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In this case, Eating Saltwater fish --> This should be singular.. How come they use the PLURAL verb Reduce and not REDUCES?
In this sentence, 'eating' is a verb-ing noun that makes the subject of the sentence. But if 'MAY' is removed , then eating will take singular verb 'reduces'.
shubham2312
It would be great help if you can throw some light on How does may make singular subject to plural.
So as you see, it's not a matter of may making a singular subject plural. There is no such thing. These forms may, can, should, will etc. take bare infinitive after them.
To avoid this ambiguity (whether growing is used as a Noun or as an Adjective), we would like to be more explicit. So, we would either say:
i) The growing of plants in your backyard needs more care. - Growing used as a Noun (Gerund)
Or
ii) Growing plants in your backyard need more care. - Growing used as an Adjective (Participle)
p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Participles Vs Gerunds, their application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).
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Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.