Anomaly I and II appear(s) to have ...[or appear?]

Question

This sentence is to say anomaly number 1 and number 2 have higher soil iodine concentration than other anomalous areas.

Should it be plural or singular? i.e. 'appear' or 'appears'?

Thanks!

anomalies number 1 and number 2 have or anomaly number 1 and anomaly number 2 have. E.g. Samples 1 and 2 are but not Sample 1 and 2 are. — anongoodnurse, Sep 16 '14 at 02:24

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 16 '14 at 02:51

1

This is an example of a compound subject. There are two subjects, and therefore it is plural. Use "appear." This is like John and Mary have a house. There are two of them.

answered Sep 16 '14 at 02:51

Galfridus

108
4

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 16 '14 at 05:44

First off, we need to correct "anomaly number 1 and number 2:" it's either

anomalies number 1 and number 2,

or

anomaly number 1 and anomaly number 2

That resolves the issue with the verb's number: in either case, we need to use appear without the s to agree with (both the) anomalies and with have. (Well the word have should have straightaway hinted you that appear would be right.)

Anomaly I and II appear(s) to have ...[or appear?]

2 Answers2