Is or Are... Subject-Verb Agreement 3

[Thadeus]

In a scenario where there more than one Building at a Location, that Location should still only be counted once.

Please, fill in the blank and explain your choice.

~Thadeus

PS: I know which to choose, but cannot argue my case. I haven't diagrammed a sentence in roughly 30 years.

PPS: I realize that this can be reworded 500 different ways... I'm not really looking to reword, just understand.

 

[2ffat]

It's also passive voice.

Did we paint the red and blue panels or did someone else? ;-)


James P. Cottingham
^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Did we paint the red and blue panels or did someone else?
With respect to active or passive voice, it doesn't matter. The sentence is in passive voice because the verb action was done TO the subject, not BY the subject.

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[stackdump]

Sorry to labor the point but just for clarity can you say which is correct if the objects are different?;

Alternately, "The red and blue panels have been completed."

So;

"The painting of the red door and the blue gate have been completed."
or
"The painting of the red door and the blue gate has been completed."

In this case I assume it's "has"

"The painting of the red door and the blue gate is complete."
or
"The painting of the red door and the blue gate are complete."

In this case I assume it's "is".

Did I get both right?

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Sorry to labor the point but just for clarity can you say which is correct if the objects are different?;
The objects have no bearing. All that matters is that the subject and verb agree in number. A singular subject calls for a singular verb, and a plural subject calls for a plural verb. The first step is to identify the subject of the sentence and then determine if the subject is singular or plural. Then use the corresponding verb.

That being said, the question between "has been" and "have been" has another component because both can be used in the singular. In the case of third person singular, "has been" is correct, but in first and second person, and all plural cases, "have been" is correct.

1st person singular: I have been to the store.
2nd person singular: You have been to the store.
3rd person singular: He has been to the store.

1st person plural: We have been to the store.
2nd person plural: You guys have been to the store.
3rd person plural: They have been to the store.

Any subject that is not first or second person is automatically in the third person.

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Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein