Marhematics

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Rustamsher
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Marhematics

Post by Rustamsher »

Hello, dear teacher!


I read the following sentence in a *grammar book.

The teacher told him that his mathematics were well below the standart.

The author writes that the verb should be plural (were) as "his understanding of mathematics or his results" is meant by "mathematics" in this context.

1) Is he right regarding this matter?

As far as I know, not all grammarians claim that the word mathematics is used with the plural verb. However, I have seen the cases where this word is used with plural verbs.

2) Well, is it recognized by many linguists-grammarians ("universally acceptable")?

Thanks in advance for answers.


*Source: The Grammaring guide to English Grammar by Peter Simon. Page 482.
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Alan
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Re: Marhematics

Post by Alan »

In my view, it is incorrect. 'Mathematics', although plural in form, is functionally singular.
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