Now that we know all that, we can get on to the lesson. Many people have problems with what type of verb to have when there's a prepositional phrase. The main thing to remember is that the subejct gets the verb, not the modifier. Here's an example:
Right: The group of hookers is over there.
Wrong: The group of hookers are over there.
Let's examine the example. Many people out there would give the verb (and their money) to "hookers." That's wrong (in more than one way). See, "hookers" is modifying "group," which is the subject of the sentence. A way to make this easier is to take the preposition and modifier out of the sentence, which leaves you with "The group is over there." And if there were more than one group, it would be "The groups of hookers are over there."
See, it's so simple. I don't know why so many idiots have problems with this. It's not like prepositions and prepositional phrases are quantum fucking physics or anything. Jeez.
(Source: Secs. 5.162–5.168, Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed.)
Readers' questions:
Last week, evercurious wrote in asking for the proper plural for "breakfast," hoping that it wouldn't be "breakfasts." After much research, including looking the word up in the OED, I'm sorry to report that the proper plural for "breakfast" is "breakfasts." It sounds horrible, and with good reason: "breakfast" is not commonly used in the plural form, so when it is, it sounds completely horrendous. But it gets worse. Ever heard someone use "breakfast" as a verb? Because it can be used as such. And how about "breakfaster"? Simply put, every other form besides the singular noun form that is "breakfast" sounds stupid and pretentious and should never be used. But they do exist. Just don't use them. You'll be the better for it.
Wrong: The group of hookers are over there.
Let's examine the example. Many people out there would give the verb (and their money) to "hookers." That's wrong (in more than one way). See, "hookers" is modifying "group," which is the subject of the sentence. A way to make this easier is to take the preposition and modifier out of the sentence, which leaves you with "The group is over there." And if there were more than one group, it would be "The groups of hookers are over there."
See, it's so simple. I don't know why so many idiots have problems with this. It's not like prepositions and prepositional phrases are quantum fucking physics or anything. Jeez.
(Source: Secs. 5.162–5.168, Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed.)
Readers' questions:
Last week, evercurious wrote in asking for the proper plural for "breakfast," hoping that it wouldn't be "breakfasts." After much research, including looking the word up in the OED, I'm sorry to report that the proper plural for "breakfast" is "breakfasts." It sounds horrible, and with good reason: "breakfast" is not commonly used in the plural form, so when it is, it sounds completely horrendous. But it gets worse. Ever heard someone use "breakfast" as a verb? Because it can be used as such. And how about "breakfaster"? Simply put, every other form besides the singular noun form that is "breakfast" sounds stupid and pretentious and should never be used. But they do exist. Just don't use them. You'll be the better for it.
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