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is / are

English translation: is (singular)


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17:47 Jan 1, 2011
English to English translations [Non-PRO]
Religion / Mariology
English term or phrase: is / are
The third reason for which Mary is given titles is her extraordinary interventions in the life of God’s People. (...)

In the above would you permit 'are' instead of 'is'?
megganmaud
English translation:is (singular)
Explanation:
While there is a tendency to make the verb agree with the closest noun (in this case 'titles', the verb should agree with the subject of the sentence. The subject in this sentence is "the third reason". So the verb must be in singular form, in this case, 'is'.
Selected response from:

Donna Stevens
Local time: 04:11
Grading comment
1 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +14is (singular)
Donna Stevens


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


55 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +14
same old 'is' or 'are'
is (singular)


Explanation:
While there is a tendency to make the verb agree with the closest noun (in this case 'titles', the verb should agree with the subject of the sentence. The subject in this sentence is "the third reason". So the verb must be in singular form, in this case, 'is'.

Donna Stevens
Local time: 04:11
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Surely I was NOT opting for a verb-noun agreement with 'titles', I guess this is kind of obvious that one might try to match here 'interventions' with 'are'; and indeed that was put forward by a non ENS, could have been a slip, though. Thank you

Asker: Any word, please?


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Allison Wright
15 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Tony M: Yes: "the reason is...". Any ENS or normally bilingual person would be instantly able to tell which was correct, even though we might not have a name for the formal rule that has had to be invented to explain this usage. Language came first, not rules!
16 mins
  -> Thanks! Language grows, but rules help our understanding.
agree  JaneTranslates
19 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  trixiemck
21 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Sharon Toh: Yes, of course. As Donna said, the subject is the reason, which is singular.
30 mins
  -> Thanks, Sharon!
agree  Thayenga
39 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Jack Doughty
52 mins
  -> Thanks, Jack!
agree  xxxskellyfish
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Shannon!
agree  Luiza Modesto
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, Luiza!
agree  Pham Huu Phuoc
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phuoc!
agree  Phong Le
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Le!
agree  Polangmar
5 hrs
  -> Thanks!
agree  Stephanie Ezrol
20 hrs
agree  jccantrell
1 day20 hrs
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Voters for reclassification
as
PRO / non-PRO		Non-PRO (3): Kim Metzger, xxxmediamatrix, xxxR.C.


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Changes made by editors
Jan 1, 2011 - Changes made by Maria Dotterer:
RestoredWaived by asker => Restored
Jan 1, 2011 - Changes made by Tony M:
Term askedSame old \'is\' or \'are\' => is / are
Jan 1, 2011 - Changes made by xxxR.C.:
LevelPRO => Non-PRO


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