Don't vs. Doesn't

Question

Hey guys,

I have a question about the use of "don't" in this particular sentence fragment:

"... civilians or non combatants dying don't automatically make anything a war crime..."

Can someone please elaborate why "don't" is either correct/incorrect and why "doesn't" is correct/incorrect here? The way I understand this, if it is correct, is "don't" is being paired with "civilians and non combatants." However, despite this, it still sounds weird to my ear. Am I missing something or just need to adjust to this way of thinking?

Thanks,
Don

umadurga · Answer

Hi Don,

If the closest subject is plural, we should use a plural verb. Since here both are plurals(civilians , non combatants) we should use plural verb here. You would be pretty confident in the future on these sub verb agreement, if you practice more. All the best.

Kudos if it helps.

egmat · Answer

"... civilians or non combatants dying don't automatically make anything a war crime..."

Hi  DON ,

I will definitely answer your question, but before I do that, let me make this statement - the sentence that you have presented is not a very GMAT like sentence or rather is not a well written sentence.

Now I will try to address your question - But before I do that, I will ask you a question - Per your understanding of the intent of the sentence, what is the subject of "don't" ? Is it 'civilians' or 'non combatants' or 'the dying of these entities'?

Regards,
Payal

egmat · Answer

umadurga , may I please request you to also answer the question that I have posed to Don?

umadurga · Answer

I had made a second thought and realized that I was referring to non combatants which was not that case as there is "dying". So I'm not sure whether the dying will make any effect over here.

Thanks

egmat · Answer

Here is my question on the sentence in the query - Per your understanding of the intent of the sentence, what is the subject of "don't" ? Is it 'civilians' or 'non combatants' or 'the dying of these entities'?

The answer is "dying of these entities". Thus the subject is singular - dying - and hence the verb should be singular - doesn't.

Hope this helps.

Don't vs. Doesn't

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards