I can't take it anymore. (sentence, grammar, quote, similar)
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Er, I thought the issue was There is only a handful of places vs There are only a handful of places ..."
But which is used appears to depend on context, whether the emphasis is on handful: A handful is ...
or on places:
The direct object is handful, a singular noun which is in agreement with the third person singular verb, is. The prepositional phrase, of places, does not have to agree in number with the verb and act as an adjectival phrase here.
You say "Americans is..."? No, I don't think so, sorry.
Or were you referring to the dd for the tt.
I was referring to everything you posted, or I would have specified otherwise. I don't say "Americans is" or substitute d's for t's. I use whatever the correct verb tense is supposed to be.
The direct object is handful, a singular noun which is in agreement with the third person singular verb, is. The prepositional phrase, of places, does not have to agree in number with the verb and act as an adjectival phrase here.
There is only a handful of places in the solar system thought to have subsurface oceans.
This is correct.
The link provided in the above post was interesting, but it's just a grammar forum, some of which is highly unreadable.
The CNN reporter in question has a professional obligation to adhere to the standards set by the Associated Press Stylebook and did exactly that in the sentence that was erroneously put up for ridicule in this funny thread.
For further understanding of subject/verb agreement, go here.
Last edited by Metlakatla; 05-03-2014 at 03:56 PM..
The direct object is handful, a singular noun which is in agreement with the third person singular verb, is. The prepositional phrase, of places, does not have to agree in number with the verb and act as an adjectival phrase here.
But if someone has a handful of something, it's obvious that they have more than one thing in their hand.
A handful of marbles; a handful of cherries, etc.
That's why I think the word 'are' should have been used.
It also sounds better!
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