Do I use IS or ARE here?// the word STAFF: has or have??

Question

1. Today no single method of treatment or method of teaching are/is suitable for everyone.

2. The staff has/have become more active in the planning of the party.

Answer 1

For number 1 use IS. For number 2 use HAS.

One way to remember the proper word to use in this type of sentence is by asking yourself, "What is not suitable for everyone?" the answer to the question is "the method of treatment IS not suitable"; also, the words, "single" and "everyone" are singular indicating the use of a singular word.

For number 2, staff is one single group of people. Although the word "people" is plural, the word staff refers to them as one single group, therefore, the word STAFF is singular in the sentence provided. In that sentence, the words, "...staff has..." would be used.


The only way to use a group as plural is to include more than one of a particular group, such as, "...all managers' staff ARE...."

Test yourself by using parts of sentences both ways. For example, say to yourself, "All of the apples ARE red" or "All of the apples IS red" in order to help yourself choose the correct form. "The person IS happy" or "The person ARE happy" "My family IS..." or "My family ARE here".

Sometimes, when the rules of grammar get/gets confusing, it is helpful to come up with a way to remember which word to choose. (What is confusing? The RULES GET confusing.) Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I just happened to be browsing The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr., and E.B. White last night and I read this:

For these questions, I found the following in Part I Section 9.

Section 9 states:
The number of the subject determines the number of the verb.

A little further down it goes on to say the following:
A compound subject formed of two or more nouns joined by and always almost requires a plural verb. Example: The walrus and the carpenter were walking close at hand.

My answer for #1: are

For number two, still in section 9, it gives the following advice:
Some nouns that appear to be plural are usually construed as singular and given a singular verb.

Example given: Politics is an art, not a science.

My answer for #2: has

Take good care,
Sense

Answer 3

Today, no single method of treatment or method of teaching is suitable for everyone. (using or between 2 singular subjects, use singular verb).

The staff has become more active in the planning of the party. (The staff is singular, use singular verb).

Answer 4

1. IS.
The word "or" means that we are talking about one item OR the other, and each is singular, so the verb should be singular.

2. HAS.
"Staff" is a singular collective, so the verb should be singular. If it were "staff members," it would be have.

Answer 5

1. is
2. has

the subjects are both in the singular form. . . so we will also use the singular form of linking verb. . .

and just want to corrrect your grammar in sentence #1.
you shouldn't use the word "method", twice. . . it's REDUNDANCY. . .
you could just say it like:

Today, no single method of treatment nor teaching is suitable for everyone.

Answer 6

1. IS - treatment or method is not plural

2. Has - because the sentence is past tense.

Answer 7

1) is

2) has

the subjects are singular..

Answer 8

1) Is
2) Has...

Answer 9

do your own homework

Answer 10

Is and has