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bat_car
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Subject verb number agreement. 16 Feb 2004, 19:43
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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.

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Subject verb number agreement. 16 Feb 2004, 21:06
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Good Question
My choice A
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Subject verb number agreement. 16 Feb 2004, 21:19
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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
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Subject verb number agreement. 16 Feb 2004, 21:57
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bat_car


where there are schools and hospitals.
or
where there is a school and a hospital.
Show more


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?
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Subject verb number agreement. 17 Feb 2004, 03:25
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bat_car
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
Show more


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
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Subject verb number agreement. 17 Feb 2004, 06:22
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kpadma
bat_car


where there are schools and hospitals.
or
where there is a school and a hospital.

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?
Show more


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-)
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Subject verb number agreement. 17 Feb 2004, 22:33
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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.
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Subject verb number agreement. 18 Feb 2004, 00:37
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bat_car
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.
Show more


I have already commented onthis in the previous post.
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craky
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Subject verb number agreement. 25 Dec 2010, 11:11
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AkamaiBrah
kpadma
bat_car


where there are schools and hospitals.
or
where there is a school and a hospital.

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?

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-)
Show more

Very nice explanation. Thank you
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Subject verb number agreement. 25 Dec 2010, 11:20
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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'.

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