My partner and I disagree amiciably about the grammar in the following sentence. "Australian couples say friendship and companionship is the best thing about their relationship". I think "IS" is the correct verb used. He says "are" is the correct verb. I think "is" is correct because they are talking about "one" thing - singular. He says that the combination of friendship and companionship require a plural verb i.e. "are".
Thank you - let's see who wins this one.
2007-09-10 22:34:39 · 19 answers · asked by Red Robin 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I'm sorry to tell you that I agree with your husband. Friendship and companionship are 2 things, not a singular item, therefore "are" is correct. However, the sentence should be..... friendship and companionship are the best things about their relationship. Even then, I stumble over the words "things about". My husband and I have fun arguments over grammar all the time which is why we had to buy the Style Manual!
2007-09-10 22:50:19 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Sally Anne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's right; the basic sentence for which "are" is the correct verb is "Friendship and companionship are the best things about their relationship." The whole sentence is effectively used as a direct object of the verb "think."
2007-09-11 06:34:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If two or more words are considered a unit, then a singular verb is used. It is proper to say ham and eggs is a good breakfast, and two weeks is....In this case, I can see where you both could be right. I would recommend wording it "Australian couples say companionship is the best thing about their relationship." And I would search for a better word to replace "thing."
2007-09-11 06:00:26 · answer #3 · answered by Max 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do. Each thing mentioned as a noun in the sentence is singular, the "friendship" and "companionship." In that case the verb used must also be singular.
Ask you partner to read the sentence out loud several times and see if that tangles them up more or less. If more, YOU read it out loud a few times and show your partner, 'cause it sounds funny the wrong way.
EDIT: and yes, especially because of that singular "thing," which I hope fervently wasn't a typo, the verb must be singular!
2007-09-11 06:29:06 · answer #4 · answered by LK 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it was are the sentence would say "best things" not "best thing". Since the statement is clumping friendship and companionship into being one thing it is the singular plural is that should be used...
You WIN! I hope your husband finds grammar as sexy as I do lol
2007-09-11 05:42:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The friendship and the companionship together denote one idea only, so 'friendship and companionship' is. Like, 'money and wealth is all he cares for'.
To make it clearer, had it been, for instance,' friendship and common interests....''- two distinct ideas, having common interests does not mean or necessarily lead to friendship - then '...are the best things about their relationship'.
2007-09-11 06:46:03 · answer #6 · answered by shades of Bruno 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest it is an excellent example of juxtaposition, having the word "Australian" in the same sentence as friendship, companionship and relationship.
2007-09-15 04:41:21 · answer #7 · answered by SteveVFR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'friendship' and 'companionship' are two separate things, whether or not they are joined by 'and'. therefore you should use 'are', and should say 'friendship and companionship are the best things'... also, 'relationship' should be made plural--'relationships'--as the sentence is talking about couples, which is also plural. parallelism is key.
2007-09-11 19:39:30 · answer #8 · answered by killer_ballerina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
friendship and companionship require (are) coz plural subjects require plural verbs. it is more correct to say "are the best things .........." this makes ur sentence flawless.
2007-09-11 05:45:37 · answer #9 · answered by emadseek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those Austalians, for whatever reason, are considering "friendship and companionship" to be one single thing, so, yes, is is the verb to use.
2007-09-11 05:42:19 · answer #10 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋