1. ilovetowrite001

    ilovetowrite001 New Member

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    please

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by ilovetowrite001, Aug 13, 2011.

    Tell me Which one Is right "all i have is twenty pounds" or" all i have are twenty pounds"!
     
  2. cruciFICTION

    cruciFICTION Contributor Contributor

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    Technically, 'are' is the correct form because you're speaking about something in its pluralised form, but 'is' is usually opted for because you're speaking about something in the collective. You're taking something that's pluralised and making it just be one thing.
     
  3. CH878

    CH878 Active Member

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    Agree with cruciFICTION, amounts of money are grouped together as single objects, so I'd go for 'is'.
     
  4. Omega14

    Omega14 New Member

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    Time and money are always treated as singular:

    A thousand pounds is enough to buy a new computer.

    Five minutes is enough time to run a mile.


    So in your example 'is' is correct.

    The only time money is plural is when you are talking about the physical thing:

    Two dollar bills are inside John's pocket.

    Hope that helps.
    Rachel
     
  5. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Rachel is correct. And please choose thread titles that indicate the topic.
     
  6. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

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    that is an uncountable noun, just like

    music, art, love, happiness
    advice, information, news
    furniture, luggage
    rice, sugar, butter, water
    electricity, gas, power
    currency

    and you should treat them like singular.
     
  7. SeverinR

    SeverinR New Member

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    So if this is weight, it would be "is", but if pounds(English currency) is money it would be "are"?
    No, that wouldn't be right either.

    All I have is twenty dollars. All I have are twenty-dollar (bills).
    twenty dollars is a singular unit, 20 dollar bills is plural individual items.
    Maybe my thinking in my reply helps?

    It helped me reason it out.;)
     
  8. ukuleleman

    ukuleleman New Member

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    Just avoid the confusion, "I only have 20 pounds"
     
  9. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Coward! :)

    "All I have is twenty pounds."

    Fortune favors the bold.
     
  10. Solar

    Solar Banned Contributor

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    or you could say: 'All I have is twen'y quid.' If your character's a bit common lol
     

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