Heard an English teacher claim that: “Dogs is not my cup of tea” is correct; whereas “Dogs are not my cup of tea” is incorrect. The explanation was that the verb form of ‘to be’ must agree with the singular noun ‘cup’ and not the plural noun ‘dogs’. Checked Google on this and it appears … Read more
I’m not sure whether to put is (number agreeing with the singular her whole family) or are (number agreeing with plural biologists) in this sentence: Her whole family is/are biologists. After some more searching, it seems to make it correct, the whole would need to be removed. Based on this other question, I think “Her … Read more
Is there a difference in grammaticality, meaning, or usage between the following two ways of phrasing the same statement? I am sure that I am the appropriate candidate for this position. – versus I am sure that the appropriate candidate for this position is me. Answer The two statements are both grammatically correct, and the … Read more
I am quite confused with this. Sentence is: His dog is his best friend. I would say that this is copula sentence, without object, and that HIS DOG is a subject. My friend is trying to persuade me that it is quite different i.e. his dog=object, his best friend=subject. Pls help&thank you Answer The sentence … Read more
I have a question about this sentence: The only thing he feared more than the wolves were the swirling buzzards. I believe it to be correct, but someone suggested that the “were” should be changed to “was”. Which one is correct? Answer The only thing he feared more than the wolves were the swirling buzzards. … Read more
I, being a native English speaker, and having snoozed through some of my grammar lessons in elementary school, sometimes cannot express differences that I feel exist in certain grammatical constructs. Here is such a case: The car is. and The car is blue. What is the name for the word “is” when used in the … Read more
When telling a story about myself from the past, I have found myself in an internal debate over whether the correct way to segue into the present is: That was me twelve years ago. Or: That was I twelve years ago. My instincts tell me the first is correct (object pronoun after a verb and … Read more
Consider these two versions: You can live peacefully without your wants, but your life can be miserable with all your wants within your reach. You can live peacefully without your wants, but your life can be miserable with all your wants are within your reach. I am confused whether to include the linking verb are. … Read more
Please consisder the sentence Hiking is fun. What is each word’s part of speech? Hiking = gerund is = verb fun = _____? I don’t know what fun is here. Is it an adverb that modifies the copular verb is? a predicate adjective modifying hiking? a noun as a predicate complement in the copula? Answer … Read more
I remember I learned a structure like the one that this post’s title mentions: All I {need to do | have to do | must do} is do something. But is it correct to use "to do something" after the "is" — as compared with just plain "do something" without the "to"? Or to be … Read more
