Subject verb number agreement.

Question

The doctrine applies in Canada, where there   is a federal law and a provincial law that are each valid   and consistent.

a. is a federal law and a aprovincial law that are each valid
b. are a federal law and a provindial law athat are each valid
c. are a federal law and a provincial law both of which are each valid
d. is a federal law and a provindial law both of which are each valid
e. is a federal and provincial law that is each valid

Take a shot at it.

kpadma · Answer

Good Question
My choice A

bat_car · Answer

I chose A too. But as per the solution, Ans is B. Explanation given is that are is required for compound object formed by use of a ... law and a .. law. 

I don't agree with this. The use model should be 

where there are schools and hospitals.
or 
where there is a school and a hospital.

Grammar gurus ... please elucidate

kpadma · Answer

My reasoning also same as yours We say There is a car and a truck in the parking lot. We never say There are a car and a truck in the parking lot. Then again, this is GMAT grammar. :cry:

BTW: what is the source of the question?

Praetorian · Answer

one of the better ways of solving SC's is to clearly identify the subject and then see whether the verb agrees with it.

Compound subject ( x law and y law) needs a plural verb (are)

thanks
praetorian

AkamaiBrah · Answer

We never say "It is I." but that is correct also in standard written English. Don't trust your ear only; the GMAT purposefully puts singular sounding parts of compound subjects next to a verb or modifier to fool you. Praetorian is absolutely correct. The ONLY test is straight subject/verb agreement. The compound subject "a something AND a something else" is plural, plain and simple. Hence, the verb is plural whether you have ever heard it said that way or not. As for the second "are", simply replace "a something and a something" with the pronoun "they". Now which seems right: "They is each...." or "They are each..." ? 8-)

bat_car · Answer

Hey AkamaiBrah,
 I was just hoping that you reply to this one and then I get to ask you directly. So Thanks for writing ......

I am debating the first "is". 

There are a car and a truck in the parking lot.

Is the above sentence Correct by your explanation. I think that "There is a car and ... " is the correct sentence.

AkamaiBrah, please comment.

AkamaiBrah · Answer

I have already commented onthis in the previous post.

craky · Answer

Very nice explanation. Thank you

rg1 · Answer

IMO it should be B. Flipping sentence would clarify using 'are' instead of 'is'.

'where there is a federal law and a provincial law that are each valid'.

Subject verb number agreement.

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