I am highly confused.Help me with these english phrases.?

Question

My native language is not english and I am a learner.It would be great if someone could help me with these phrases.

seven plus five IS twelve
or
seven plus five ARE twelve

AND

Best avoided books
or
Books best avoided

Answer 1

If it helps, think about the missing words in the math question.

The SUM is 12. The sum of 7 + 5 is 12. "Sum" is a singular noun. As the previous answerer said, if it's used as a noun, "seven" is a singular word. Even if there's more than one group of seven, it's GROUPS of seven - GROUPS is the plural, and "seven" is still singular.


For clarity, "Books best avoided" is correct.
"Best" modifies "avoided," not the books. Putting "avoided" in the middle makes it look like you're saying the best books are avoided.
"Books best avoided" means these are books that should be avoided.

Answer 2

Personally, I agree with the first two answers regarding the first question, but, interestingly enough, several good quality bilingual dictionaries that I have give as an example 'seven plus five ARE twelve.' Weird. They also say 'Twelve take away seven ARE five.' What happens with 'five take away four'? I can't imagine 'ARE one' to be correct.

On item 2, if a list follows what you have written, then 'Books best avoided include A,B,C and D'

Answer 3

Are you asking which of the two is correct, grammatically? That would be seven plus five is twelve, and books best avoided. I hope this helps you out!

Answer 4

Proper English=seven plus five IS twelve
Seven is not plural, it is a single number.


Best avoided books
or
Books best avoided

I dont get this part because it makes no sense. If you're avoiding the book, how is it best? I say you need to stop avoiding books!

Answer 5

You can say:
seven plus five is twelve
or
seven plus five equals twelve

and

Best book avoided.