ProudGrandma Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Can someone explain to me why this is: Here IS the happy couple. here ARE a couple of pictures for you A couple of friends ARE coming over If you use the word IS in the first sentence because there is one couple, then why don't you use IS in the second sentence becasue there is still only one couple (of pictures) and why don't you use IS in the last sentence becasue there is only one couple (of friends) coming over. Can someone help me here?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalknot Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 English isn't my first language, nor am I any self-proclaimed grammar guru ... but what stands out to me, is the use of "couple" even though the word is the same. In sentence two, couple refers to pictures (plural); in sentence three, couple refers to friends (also plural). In the first sentence, it doesn't refer back to anything - and couple appears to be treated as a singular. Though FWIW I've always said here ARE the happy couple. I'd say here THEY are, so I say here ARE the happy couple. Like I said, it's not my first language and I often mis-speak LOL. If I'm unsure, I switch around the wording. On that note, here's a bump :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 In the second and third sentences, "a couple of" is used in the place of the number two and functions adjectivally. In the first, "couple" is used as a noun naming two persons collectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) In the first sentence "couple" is a singular noun. In the other sentences "couple" is a modifier telling how many. It describes the noun as being plural. Edited July 2, 2011 by chepyl mistyped letter on my phone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/collectivenoun.htm A collective noun can be either singular or plural. The link goes to a discussion of the differences. There are many other websites with explanations that may, or may not, diverge from the perspective of the page linked. Search for -- "collective noun" plural -- and pick what is of most use to you ! HTH. Can someone explain to me why this is: Here IS the happy couple. here ARE a couple of pictures for you A couple of friends ARE coming over If you use the word IS in the first sentence because there is one couple, then why don't you use IS in the second sentence becasue there is still only one couple (of pictures) and why don't you use IS in the last sentence becasue there is only one couple (of friends) coming over. Can someone help me here?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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