Which of these sentences is grammatically correct?

Question

Which of these sentences is grammatically correct (I hope at least one of them is)?

1. "There is a dozen other topics in which I am interested."
2. "There are a dozen other topics in which I am interested."

"a dozen" is singular (there's only one dozen), so it makes sense that it should be preceded by "is". But that sounds odd, because the "number of topics" is over a dozen, and so to my ear #2 sounds correct.

Anyone have a definitive answer?

Answer 1

You're right, the subject of the sentence is "a dozen," so the verb should be singular. The plural sounds better because the word "topics" is closer to the verb. The passive construction is always awkward and lengthens the sentence by forcing you to add "in which," so you should be avoiding it. Much better to use the active construction: "I'm interested in a dozen different topics." And, while we're on the subject, the word "different" is redundant. There's no such thing as a dozen "same" topics, so just leave the word out of the sentence.

Answer 2

2. "There are a dozen other topics in which I am interested."
is gramatically correct.

Yes dozen is singular, however it is also a singular word meaning a plural. It is one of those unique words that cross over in grammer.

Kind of like the word deer, one deer is a deer but the multiple is also deer. It does not change when you make it plural.

There are many unique words in the english language that defy the rules, that's one of the reasons the english language the 3rd hardest language in the world to learn.

Oh and by the way, it should be "Which of these sentences are grammatically correct? " That question is also plural!

Answer 3

2. "There are a dozen other topics in which I am interested."

Answer 4

save it common and boil it down. Use the previous common as a replace of a ideal annoying and ditch the preposition on the top of the sentence. Your sentence isn't incorrect, even regardless of the undeniable fact that it may desire to be greater. I forgot to put in each of the polite stuff that usually starts or ends an digital mail. I forgot to apply each of the polite stuff that usually starts or ends an digital mail. I forgot to apply the polite stuff that usually starts or ends an digital mail.

Answer 5

# 2

Answer 6

"Is a dozen" would be correct logically, but "are a dozen" is better. It's idiomatic --a matter of usage-- one of those cases where usage trumps grammar. "Is a dozen" would be pedantic.

Answer 7

2. your explination is correct, because topics is the subject and it is plural the verb is got to be plural. it's called correct subject and verb agreement.

Answer 8

the one with are in it.