“A set of … is” or “A set of … are”?
Is it
…a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for
everyone
or
…a set of characteristics in a society that is desirable for
everyone
I.e. should the "is/are" refer to the set itself or the items inside the set?
Additionally: Should I use everyone or everybody in this context?
grammatical-number
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
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add a comment |
Is it
…a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for
everyone
or
…a set of characteristics in a society that is desirable for
everyone
I.e. should the "is/are" refer to the set itself or the items inside the set?
Additionally: Should I use everyone or everybody in this context?
grammatical-number
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You've left the thing you are asking about out of the phrase! Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what that thing is!
– David Schwartz
9 mins ago
@DavidSchwartz please elaborate. My question is, is it the first or the second one. A or B.
– Mathis
6 mins ago
Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what you're describing. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us what is being described. If it's singular, then the second one is right. If it's plural, then the first one is. But you didn't give us the part of the sentence that has the thing we're talking about!
– David Schwartz
5 mins ago
add a comment |
Is it
…a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for
everyone
or
…a set of characteristics in a society that is desirable for
everyone
I.e. should the "is/are" refer to the set itself or the items inside the set?
Additionally: Should I use everyone or everybody in this context?
grammatical-number
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Is it
…a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for
everyone
or
…a set of characteristics in a society that is desirable for
everyone
I.e. should the "is/are" refer to the set itself or the items inside the set?
Additionally: Should I use everyone or everybody in this context?
grammatical-number
grammatical-number
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
asked 26 mins ago
Mathis
1
1
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Mathis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You've left the thing you are asking about out of the phrase! Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what that thing is!
– David Schwartz
9 mins ago
@DavidSchwartz please elaborate. My question is, is it the first or the second one. A or B.
– Mathis
6 mins ago
Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what you're describing. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us what is being described. If it's singular, then the second one is right. If it's plural, then the first one is. But you didn't give us the part of the sentence that has the thing we're talking about!
– David Schwartz
5 mins ago
add a comment |
You've left the thing you are asking about out of the phrase! Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what that thing is!
– David Schwartz
9 mins ago
@DavidSchwartz please elaborate. My question is, is it the first or the second one. A or B.
– Mathis
6 mins ago
Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what you're describing. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us what is being described. If it's singular, then the second one is right. If it's plural, then the first one is. But you didn't give us the part of the sentence that has the thing we're talking about!
– David Schwartz
5 mins ago
You've left the thing you are asking about out of the phrase! Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what that thing is!
– David Schwartz
9 mins ago
You've left the thing you are asking about out of the phrase! Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what that thing is!
– David Schwartz
9 mins ago
@DavidSchwartz please elaborate. My question is, is it the first or the second one. A or B.
– Mathis
6 mins ago
@DavidSchwartz please elaborate. My question is, is it the first or the second one. A or B.
– Mathis
6 mins ago
Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what you're describing. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us what is being described. If it's singular, then the second one is right. If it's plural, then the first one is. But you didn't give us the part of the sentence that has the thing we're talking about!
– David Schwartz
5 mins ago
Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what you're describing. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us what is being described. If it's singular, then the second one is right. If it's plural, then the first one is. But you didn't give us the part of the sentence that has the thing we're talking about!
– David Schwartz
5 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
It is my understanding that you may use either "is" or "are," depending on your emphasis. If your desired emphasis is on "set" then you use "is." On the other hand, if you desire to emphasize the variety of characteristics, then you may use "are."
Sorry I do not have a reference, but have drawn on my experience in other contexts. For example when using "faculty" you may say "the faculty of the university is concerned..." or say "the faculty of the university are concerned...."
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
It is my understanding that you may use either "is" or "are," depending on your emphasis. If your desired emphasis is on "set" then you use "is." On the other hand, if you desire to emphasize the variety of characteristics, then you may use "are."
Sorry I do not have a reference, but have drawn on my experience in other contexts. For example when using "faculty" you may say "the faculty of the university is concerned..." or say "the faculty of the university are concerned...."
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
add a comment |
It is my understanding that you may use either "is" or "are," depending on your emphasis. If your desired emphasis is on "set" then you use "is." On the other hand, if you desire to emphasize the variety of characteristics, then you may use "are."
Sorry I do not have a reference, but have drawn on my experience in other contexts. For example when using "faculty" you may say "the faculty of the university is concerned..." or say "the faculty of the university are concerned...."
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
add a comment |
It is my understanding that you may use either "is" or "are," depending on your emphasis. If your desired emphasis is on "set" then you use "is." On the other hand, if you desire to emphasize the variety of characteristics, then you may use "are."
Sorry I do not have a reference, but have drawn on my experience in other contexts. For example when using "faculty" you may say "the faculty of the university is concerned..." or say "the faculty of the university are concerned...."
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It is my understanding that you may use either "is" or "are," depending on your emphasis. If your desired emphasis is on "set" then you use "is." On the other hand, if you desire to emphasize the variety of characteristics, then you may use "are."
Sorry I do not have a reference, but have drawn on my experience in other contexts. For example when using "faculty" you may say "the faculty of the university is concerned..." or say "the faculty of the university are concerned...."
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
answered 5 mins ago
Catheeja
1
1
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Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Catheeja is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
add a comment |
You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
You're okay with: "Since each individual is unique, only the empty set is a set of characteristics in a society that are desirable for everyone."?
– David Schwartz
4 mins ago
add a comment |
Mathis is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Mathis is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Mathis is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Mathis is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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You've left the thing you are asking about out of the phrase! Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what that thing is!
– David Schwartz
9 mins ago
@DavidSchwartz please elaborate. My question is, is it the first or the second one. A or B.
– Mathis
6 mins ago
Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on what you're describing. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us what is being described. If it's singular, then the second one is right. If it's plural, then the first one is. But you didn't give us the part of the sentence that has the thing we're talking about!
– David Schwartz
5 mins ago