Is this grammatically correct?

Question

1)Strawberries and cream is a high calorie snack.

Source: Aristotle Prep

Explanation says that 'and' can be used as connector and both words are thought to be single word here, and a hint is to look at the word that follows the verb - underlined portion!

Well, I'm not confused although, I just wonder is it a possible scenario in GMAT?
Have anyone of you ever encountered a question related to this concept?

Please add your comments..

Thanks!

chetan2u · Answer

hi,
Although it is correct but not likely to be tested on GMAT..
when the two things are a part of something combined, the verb can be singular..
vanilla and chocolate is a good dessert..
although same can be said "vanilla with chocolate is a good dessert.".,

snorkeler · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

I haven't encountered any question so far related to this concept.

Let's take an example:
vanilla and chocolate is a good dessert.
vanilla and chocolate are good desserts.

IMO: Both the sentences are grammatically correct and means the same, probably the style or the way ' Subject ' is portrayed different.

chetan2u · Answer

Hi,
When you write..
Vanilla and chocolate is a good dessert. It would mean they both are one dessert...
But when you use vanilla and chocolate are good desserts. This now takes both vanilla and chocolate to be separate desserts.

KyleWiddison · Answer

Even though I can make a case for a sentence like that being grammatically correct I can't think of an example from the GMAT. I can only think of examples where the GMAT uses 'and' to force a subject to be plural. I would guess that the GMAT would use a different construction to show that two things should be considered a single entity (like your example using 'with'), but if anyone has a GMAT example where two subjects connected with 'and' are singular I would love to see it. Until then I would stick with 'and' making a subject plural...

KW

KW

sukanyar · Answer

Some time back, I also incidentally explored this issue. Looks quite tricky. I came across a similar sentence, but thankfully the question does not ask us to pick between singular/plural (verb is not in the underlined portion)

According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land  is  still a goal of a majority of young adults,  as it was of earlier generations .

If this comes in the underlined portion, then this will be a killer;).

KyleWiddison · Answer

Excellent example of how and can be used for a singular subject. And, as you note, the GMAT does not test you on the singular/plural of that setup.

As I think about it, I wouldn't be shocked to see the GMAT start to test this issue because the test writers have a history of introducing counter examples when they find that students have developed an absolute rule for areas that can be a little gray...

KW

snorkeler · Answer

sukanyar Nice catch! coincidentally, I practiced this question today but for my disappointment I missed this construction. Thanks

KyleWiddison - yes, what you said makes sense to me. As a GMAT aspirant and to hit that mega score, I have to keep my concepts clear. Thanks for contributing!!

sukanyar · Answer

Hopefully I get done with my exam before GMAT starts testing this issue :lol:

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Is this grammatically correct?

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