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Should it be "politics is", or "politics are"?

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  • Should it be "politics is", or "politics are"?

    Google shows "the politics are" with 2.2 million hits, and "the politics is" with 5.8 million hits, so there's room for disagreement there.

    Is it context based, and how so?
    9
    is
    44.44%
    4
    are
    33.33%
    3
    It depends on what the meaning of is, is.
    22.22%
    2
    No, I did not steal that from somebody on Something Awful.

  • #2
    Politics is/are, and no you cannot disagree with it. It's a singular/plural noun. Words have meanings
    Last edited by Wiglaf; May 21, 2012, 22:06. Reason: Changed post entirely

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    • #3
      "Is" for singular, "are" for plural.

      Where's Drake to school you fools?
      “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
      "Capitalism ho!"

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      • #4
        Obama's politics are poor, but politics is an interesting topic of conversation.

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        • #5
          OMG! I just taught Wiglaf something. My life is complete.
          “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
          "Capitalism ho!"

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          • #6
            I was reacting to the stupid thread you posted, which uses it incorrectly.

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            • #7
              My thread did use it correctly. If only Drake was here...
              “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
              "Capitalism ho!"

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              • #8
                "Is American politics broken" is the correct usage, just the same as "Is politics broken" or "Politics is broken." Idiot.

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                • #9
                  You god damn IDIOT.

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                  • #10
                    Not when referring to politics in the plural.

                    I don't know what's more pathetic that you and the incompetent are even arguing about this or that you're so flatly wrong.

                    And go back to you usual login. Why post under the Wiglaf login, if you're not going to adopt the persona in the slightest?
                    “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                    "Capitalism ho!"

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      You can't do it, can you?
                      “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                      "Capitalism ho!"

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                      • #12
                        Collective Noun agreement. Which is correct in the following sentence: "Politics is politics", or "Politics are politics"?

                        Sorry, but it's going to depend on what you mean -- and you can go either way on this. If you mean the "science or art of government," you want the singular "is"; if you mean political practices, actions, you want the plural "are." Either one could be correct, so it's up to what you think sounds right.
                        Authority for this note: WWWebster Dictionary, the World Wide Web edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, Tenth Edition. Used with permission.
                        .
                        “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                        "Capitalism ho!"

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by DaShi View Post
                          "Is" for singular, "are" for plural.

                          Where's Drake to school you fools?
                          "Politics" is followed by "is" when it is used by itself to describe the field of study. In all other cases, both "is" and "are" are acceptable.

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                          • #14
                            Cite from the OED please, thanks.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by DaShi View Post
                              Not when referring to politics in the plural.

                              I don't know what's more pathetic that you and the incompetent are even arguing about this or that you're so flatly wrong.

                              And go back to you usual login. Why post under the Wiglaf login, if you're not going to adopt the persona in the slightest?
                              I HAS NO PERSONA. I AM ONE PERSON. I HAVE ALWASYS BEEN ONE PERSON. THE MODERATORS CAN CONFIRM THIS. I AM AN ELECTED OFFICIAL BASED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WITH A LARGE INHERITANCE, NO DEBT, AND A LAW DEGREE FROM ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS LAW SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS DOESN'T CAHNGE BECAUSE YOU ARE WRONG IN A DEBATE, AND IT WON'T CHANGE WHEN YOUR COUNTRY IS WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH BY A CHINESE NUKE (JUST ONE IS ALL ITLL TAKE).

                              FACTS do not change. WORDS do not lose their meaning.

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