Correct grammar for talking about multiple, single nouns

Question

I'd like to know the definitions of both mathematical terms "consistency" and "completeness". Would I ask

"What are consistency and completeness?" (i.e., the two nouns are singular, but together they're a collection of things) or
"What is consistency and completeness?" (i.e., we can distribute the "What is" to read "What is consistency and what is completeness?")

Thanks.

This already has an answer at There is a lot of food and fruit vs there are a lot of food and fruit and other threads. — Edwin Ashworth, Jan 01 '16 at 23:08

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 01 '16 at 22:47

1

What are X and Y? asks for separate definitions of each term. It's like What is X and what is Y?.

What is X and Y? treats them as a single collective concept, and asks for a definition of that one thing.

answered Jan 01 '16 at 22:47

Barmar

1 Answers1