The Spelling Nazi thread.

[Dinner]

All right I have a question for you English majors out their regarding the proper use of "is" and "are" in a sentence. It is my understanding that "is" is singular while "are" is plural and that the conjugation of this verb must agree with the noun. So now let’s get to the question. The following two example sentences are about the band Cake (which was chosen at random); Cake has multiple band members but is one band. So which of these two sentences are correct?

1) "You don't know who Cake are?"

2) "You don't know who Cake is?"

My take is that Cake is one band and their name Cake is singular so the verb must make the noun as a singular conjugation. My friend is insisting that multiple people are in the band and so the plural must be used even though the word Cake doesn't end in an "S". I've decided to see what the 'poly language masters have to say on this matter.

[Japher]

IMO, a science dude:

1) Is asking if you know the individual members of the band; Bob on the drums, George on the kazoo, etc.

2) Is asking if you know if the band as an entity; what songs they play, what genre, etc.

[Lancer]

I thought maybe you needed help spelling 'Himmler' or something.

[Wezil]

I'd go with option 1)

Caveat - Wezil is in no way a spelling Nazi so wait for a more informed answer...

[Kontiki]

I think Japher has it right. Either is grammatically correct, but it depends on what meaning you're going for.

[Theben]

IIRC #2 is correct; had you said, "...the members of Cake..." then it would end with 'are', since it would refer to 'members' & 'Cake' is separated by a conjunction.

Then again the sentence itself might just be bad english.

[JohnT]

You rang?

Cake, as in the band, is singular. "You don't know who Cake is?"

If you mentioned the members as a group of individuals, it would be plural: "You don't know who the members of Cake are?"

Hope this helps!

[JohnT]

Not a bad X-post, if you ask me.

[Japher]

Are you sure you are using that word right?

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=135489

[MrFun]

Just read the two sentences out loud to yourself -- which one is more smoothly flowing? I would think that usually when you read to yourself a sentence out loud, and it makes sense when you verbalize it, it is likely correct. That is one of the reasons why some writers believe in reading their own work out loud -- as part of their editting process.

So I would go with number 2.

[Japher]

What about The Smiths?

Do you know who the Smiths are?

Do you know who The Smiths are?



If I'm talking about a family I don't have to say "members of" so why if I am talking about the band?

[JohnT]

Ming sez I am.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Japher
What about The Smiths?

Do you know who the Smiths are?

Do you know who The Smiths are?



If I'm talking about a family I don't have to say "members of" so why if I am talking about the band?

Stop asking questions, and believe everything I tell you.

[Japher]

Stop asking questions, and believe everything I tell you.

Why?

[MrFun]

grrrr . . . . . .