Noun clause (singular all the time?)Should there be a comma after 'and'?Plural of noun and concept takes singular verb?Difference between an adverb modifying an NP consisting a single noun, and an adverb modifying a nounClause QuestionWhy plural noun and verb in singular form, present tense takes 's'?whatever - Are these all noun clauses?How to determine the number of the noun phrase 'a world of + plural noun'?embedded interrogative Clause when quoting“the only one of + plural noun” = singular or plural verb? (focus on the only)superlative + relative clause
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Noun clause (singular all the time?)
Should there be a comma after 'and'?Plural of noun and concept takes singular verb?Difference between an adverb modifying an NP consisting a single noun, and an adverb modifying a nounClause QuestionWhy plural noun and verb in singular form, present tense takes 's'?whatever - Are these all noun clauses?How to determine the number of the noun phrase 'a world of + plural noun'?embedded interrogative Clause when quoting“the only one of + plural noun” = singular or plural verb? (focus on the only)superlative + relative clause
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I have asked one grammarian about this and she ended up being unsure of her answer.
Question: is there a possibility that a noun clause is used in a plural manner? For instance:
- Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME.
- WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose.
Should the word "scare" be "scares" in the examples?
Should "are" be "is" then?
grammar verb-agreement noun-phrases
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
add a comment |
I have asked one grammarian about this and she ended up being unsure of her answer.
Question: is there a possibility that a noun clause is used in a plural manner? For instance:
- Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME.
- WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose.
Should the word "scare" be "scares" in the examples?
Should "are" be "is" then?
grammar verb-agreement noun-phrases
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
add a comment |
I have asked one grammarian about this and she ended up being unsure of her answer.
Question: is there a possibility that a noun clause is used in a plural manner? For instance:
- Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME.
- WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose.
Should the word "scare" be "scares" in the examples?
Should "are" be "is" then?
grammar verb-agreement noun-phrases
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
I have asked one grammarian about this and she ended up being unsure of her answer.
Question: is there a possibility that a noun clause is used in a plural manner? For instance:
- Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME.
- WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose.
Should the word "scare" be "scares" in the examples?
Should "are" be "is" then?
grammar verb-agreement noun-phrases
grammar verb-agreement noun-phrases
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
asked 3 hours ago
Fadli SheikhFadli Sheikh
223
223
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Interesting question :)
I'd say this is an example of a fused relative (see e.g. CaGEL* p 1073); that is, what scares me is not a clause at all, but a noun phrase, where what is a fusion between the head function and the relativised element of a postmodifying relative clause. In this case it could be paraphrased either as that which scares me where that is the head, and which is the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scares me, or as the things which scare me, where the determiner the, the head things and the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scare me have fused.
In answer to your question, then, it could be what scare me are her eyes and nose as well as what scares me is her eyes and nose.
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
1
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
add a comment |
It's right as you had it: 'scare' and 'are'. 'Eyes and nose' are three things and require plural verbs. 'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms.
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
1
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
Your Answer
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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Interesting question :)
I'd say this is an example of a fused relative (see e.g. CaGEL* p 1073); that is, what scares me is not a clause at all, but a noun phrase, where what is a fusion between the head function and the relativised element of a postmodifying relative clause. In this case it could be paraphrased either as that which scares me where that is the head, and which is the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scares me, or as the things which scare me, where the determiner the, the head things and the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scare me have fused.
In answer to your question, then, it could be what scare me are her eyes and nose as well as what scares me is her eyes and nose.
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
1
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Interesting question :)
I'd say this is an example of a fused relative (see e.g. CaGEL* p 1073); that is, what scares me is not a clause at all, but a noun phrase, where what is a fusion between the head function and the relativised element of a postmodifying relative clause. In this case it could be paraphrased either as that which scares me where that is the head, and which is the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scares me, or as the things which scare me, where the determiner the, the head things and the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scare me have fused.
In answer to your question, then, it could be what scare me are her eyes and nose as well as what scares me is her eyes and nose.
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
1
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Interesting question :)
I'd say this is an example of a fused relative (see e.g. CaGEL* p 1073); that is, what scares me is not a clause at all, but a noun phrase, where what is a fusion between the head function and the relativised element of a postmodifying relative clause. In this case it could be paraphrased either as that which scares me where that is the head, and which is the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scares me, or as the things which scare me, where the determiner the, the head things and the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scare me have fused.
In answer to your question, then, it could be what scare me are her eyes and nose as well as what scares me is her eyes and nose.
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
Interesting question :)
I'd say this is an example of a fused relative (see e.g. CaGEL* p 1073); that is, what scares me is not a clause at all, but a noun phrase, where what is a fusion between the head function and the relativised element of a postmodifying relative clause. In this case it could be paraphrased either as that which scares me where that is the head, and which is the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scares me, or as the things which scare me, where the determiner the, the head things and the relativised subject of the postmodifying relative clause which scare me have fused.
In answer to your question, then, it could be what scare me are her eyes and nose as well as what scares me is her eyes and nose.
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
edited 52 mins ago
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
answered 1 hour ago
HannahHannah
308210
308210
1
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
1
1
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
Yeah, it's short for the thing that scares me, or in this case, it could just as easily be the things that scare me. Since this is a commutable verb phrase, Her eyes and nose are what scare(s) me is just as good. And either singular or plural will do for scare(s), since what can mark either number. It depends, in other words, on what you mean.
– John Lawler
1 hour ago
1
1
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
@JohnLawler Thank you – that's what I was uncertain about. I'll edit my answer to make it clearer :)
– Hannah
1 hour ago
add a comment |
It's right as you had it: 'scare' and 'are'. 'Eyes and nose' are three things and require plural verbs. 'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms.
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
1
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
It's right as you had it: 'scare' and 'are'. 'Eyes and nose' are three things and require plural verbs. 'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms.
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
1
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
It's right as you had it: 'scare' and 'are'. 'Eyes and nose' are three things and require plural verbs. 'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms.
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
It's right as you had it: 'scare' and 'are'. 'Eyes and nose' are three things and require plural verbs. 'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms.
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
answered 1 hour ago
Philip WoodPhilip Wood
4676
4676
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
1
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
1
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
The first part of the first example is correct, yes, but not the rest, right? Is that what you mean? Also, I'm curious about your last sentence there – "'what' doesn't have separate singular and plural forms" – what do you mean by that? Would it be possible to clarify?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
(a) "Her eyes and nose are WHAT SCARE ME." - "WHAT SCARE ME are her eyes and nose." Both are right. (b) 'What' is always 'what'; it doesn't change form according to whether one object or more than one object is being referred to.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
Ah, right, now I see what you meant by that last sentence, and of course you're right about that – that it doesn't change its form, I mean. It's always singular. :) I disagree with the rest though – surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?
– Hannah
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
"surely it should be Her eyes and nose are what scares me and What scares me is her eyes and nose respectively?" Verbs change their form according to whether the subject of the sentence or clause is singular or plural. "scares' and "is" are third person SINGULAR forms, but the subject is plural (two eyes plus one nose!).
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
1
1
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
'what' ISN'T singular: 'what' can refer to either singular or plural.In your sentence you can replace "what" by "the things that". I'd like to apologise for an unintentionally patronising tone, by the way.
– Philip Wood
1 hour ago
|
show 2 more comments
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