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TOPIC: A call to Grammarians!

A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #1

<br />OK, which is correct:<br /><br />A.  The sound of their throaty purrs and the warmth of their silky coats are comforting as they sit on my lap.<br /><br />B.  The sound of their throaty purrs and the warmth of their silky coats is comforting as they sit on my lap.<br /><br />I'm editing a newsletter (or is that editting - who gave me this job??) and want to get it right.  It's an awfully complex sentence, but I know you're all itching to argue it out.<br /><br />

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #2

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #3

i have to agree

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #4

I think it is "A".  There are 2 subjects in the sentence: Purrs and Coats.  Is would be singular, and Are would be plural.  But it has been a long time since I've sat in an English class.
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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #5

<br />It should be A because you used 'and' to combine two subjects which makes it plural.<br />Another question. Should 'sound' be singular or plural? I think it can be singular, as in one overall homogenized sound from numerous throats, but is that your intent?
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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #6

I agree that the answer is A because of the two subjects.  "of their throaty purrs" and "of their silky coats" are both prepositional phrases used to describe the subjects "sound" and "warmth".  For the sake of reading a simpler sentence you could take them out and it would read,  "The sound and the warmth are comforting as they sit on my lap."

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #7

<br />I agree that the answer is A because of the two subjects.  "of their throaty purrs" and "of their silky coats" are both prepositional phrases used to describe the subjects "sound" and "warmth".  For the sake of reading a simpler sentence you could take them out and it would read,  "The sound and the warmth are comforting as they sit on my lap."<br />

<br /><br />I believe you are right - I should have read that more carefully. 

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #8

<br />Thanks guys!  The original author had A but it just didn't sound right - although I do think you've explained it correctly so it must be right.<br /><br />

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #9

<br /><br />Thanks guys!  The original author had A but it just didn't sound right - although I do think you've explained it correctly so it must be right.<br /><br /><br />

<br />again, don't listen to me..I am wrong 95% of the time

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #10

  • henwy
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I'm sorta disappointed. I thought you were asking for fans of this <br />

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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #11

I'll fan that!  Gamera rules!
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Re: A call to Grammarians! 13 years 11 months ago #12

  • bpsymington
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Definitely A.
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