The amount of X and Y is or are ????????????

Simpler explanation :

Statement 1 -

Break it as ->

The amount of water _ increasing
The amount of salt _ increasing

in both statements above , we have subject ( the water / the salt ) are singular subjects.
Also as per quantity rule , " The amount (quantity) always takes a singular verb.

so " is " correct

statement 2 :

The amount of Both water and salt continue to increase.

we can use quantity rule here but but see usage of " both " along with "and" .Its combining water and salt and gives a compound plural subject, so use a plural verb " continue " here.

Note 1 :"continues" is a singular verb

Note 2 :Correlative conjunctions always join grammatically equal elements

Note 3 : Here our correlative conjunction "both" along with "and" joining equal elements i.e a noun ( water ) with another noun (sea )

Note 4 :

" Both ... and " indicates a parallel structure with correlative conjunctions.
Correlative conjunctions work together in pairs, and there are four of these conjunctive duos: either—or, neither—nor, both—and, not only—but also.


Important subject verb agreement for correlative conjunctions :

Subject-verb agreement with correlative conjunctions is entirely different. We have to be wide awake.

Since correlative conjunctions join grammatically equal elements of a sentence, the situation often arises that we have two subjects: one singular, one plural. Now what? What form does the verb take?

It’s all about proximity. The subject closest to the verb determines the verb form. If the subject closest to the verb is singular, the verb takes the singular form. If the subject closest to the verb is plural, the verb takes the plural form. This holds true for all correlative conjunctions except both…and. (Don’t you just love how there always has to be an exception?)



Not only our dog but also our cats need to be inoculated.
Not only our cats but also our dog needs to be inoculated.

Neither my colleagues nor my boss is coming to my birthday party.
Neither my boss nor my colleagues are coming to my birthday party.

The correlative conjunction both…and doesn’t require much thought as far as subject-verb agreement goes. The verb is always plural.


Both Peter and Paul are on the bus.
Both the boys and the girls are on the bus.


Hope this should clear the answer for second statement now

Although above sentence sounds fine but if I change it a little, it doesn't

The amount of Both water and salt are increasing.

Another thing, Use of 'Both..And' brings pluralism with it, but only when they start the subject in this particular case Subject starts with 'The amount' and that is still singular. So this is not the case of Joint Subjects because subject is still the one & that is 'The amount' and that means verb should also be singular not plural

So for above sentence I would prefer following sentences over ones mentioned above

The amount of Both water and salt is increasing.

The amount of Both water and salt continues to increase.

Your take........

Hmm Interesting !

So ,

1. Since sentence starts with " the amount " - a singular subject - use a singular verb.
2. If a sentence starts with " But .. and ", it always takes a plural verb.
3. Here the statement 2 " the amount of both ..... " still starts with " the amount " is singular, so verb has to be singular.

Is this correct ?
Anyone prefer to argue in regard to point 3 ? I am still not convinced with point 3 as put by "anordinaryguy".

+1 to you anordinaryguy. Short and perfect

ok.. not sure what happened to my post.. dint get submitted... anyways yup.. i totally agree with the ordinary guy

if the sentence started off with "both water and salt".. then the sentence would be plural... but since both 1 and 2 have the subject as "the amount" accordinfg to me both have to be singular..

i'd be surprised if the answer to 2 is continue (plural)... which would also mean there is some serious sc prep i will have to do before the test to score right!!!

Viks,

I am only trying to get more clarity on a rule :

the statement 2 above has both :

a. " the amount " which is a singular verb
b. " Both .. and .. " which is a correlation conjunctive and always takes an plural verb , only if "both" starts the sentence

So , its a bit tricky and i skipped the exception in point b. I totally agree with you and ordinary guy..

Anyone beg to differ ? you are welcome !

yup agree its tricky and thanks for moving on to my side
while im obviously not an expert...i think u'll understand my skepticism...
when we believe we are doing good in sc and are sure something is right someone pops up and provides a new rule and proves u wrong...
normal circumstances.. its fine but with the test around the corner its pretty scary

viks4gmat,

hehe cool i can get to know how it makes us feel , if someone proves our preparation is strategically wrong or insufficient with just one question. Chill. When is your gmat and from which place you are from ?

me from hyderabad buddy.... i still have a little over a month before my gmat.. but considering this is my third (and surely my final) attempt at gmat.. im a little jittery now

what abt u? whr u from and when's ur gmat?

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

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).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.