Posted by govigov
\"how are you?\" look at this statement, 'you' is a singular subject, but 'are' is plural verb. The subject and verb does not agree. Why is it so? Thanks a lot guys.
Posted by EastCoastStar
oh man, i learned this once, but cant remember :-\
im sorry!
Posted by govigov
It is very IMPORTANT to me. I need it.
Posted by EastCoastStar
come one anyone! help this guy outttt
Posted by 02
coz it relates to a conversation... direct communication..
unless its not direct, it will be 'How is she?'
somthing like tat..
Posted by MikLSP
'You' can also refer to a group so its not just a singular noun
Posted by govigov
Not that mike. Something else i just asked my trainer and that is not it.
Posted by Ayush
Mike's theory seems decent. Why don't you message dj wolf? He's an english hons student :-)
Posted by MikLSP
English isn't my thing, I'm a scientific man
Was worth a try though.
Have you been taught it before?
Posted by batesie
How are you.
it relates to multiple things about you, your health your happiness your possessions... thats why its pluralised.
Posted by MikLSP
Sounds good to me
Posted by *Jojo*
@governor - OK, then settle for the: How IS you ! To satisfy your teacher dude . . . Maybe after all that is the BEST there is, as it can be seconded by:
1. How IS you'r' lovelife?
2. How IS you'r celfone?
3. How IS you'r' mistress?
etc.
Posted by Ayush
He he
Posted by govigov
Come on some uk guys, help me!
Posted by DJcreamz
surely batasies response was right ?
Posted by fatreg
i think from my time back at school its to do with being nomnative and not accusitive.
same as someone said: how is she is direct at a lady yet how are you is directed at anyone person(s).
fatreg
Posted by batesie
cheers DJ. i is good at inglish.
no seriously read my post
Posted by *Jojo*
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@governor - I suggest that you get the attention of our fellow-Esatonians who resides in either: China or Japan, as they are very much well-versed in the English lingo pal . . . .
Posted by Ayush
These are new facts to me
Posted by Cycovision
Isn't 'How are you?' just a contraction of the phrase 'How are you doing?' which is grammatically correct (as far as I know!). It's to do with the meaning of the word 'are' in this particular context, I think...
Posted by govigov
Hello, any more ideas on why the subject of the sentence does not agree with the verb (plural and singular?) and still is grammatically correct?
Posted by dave_uk
It's amazing how wonderfully elaborate some of the explanations are
Your question has already been answered govi. It actually does agree as "you are" is singular in this context. There is no agreement problem however. When, other than in Staines, have you ever heard someone say, "You is...."?
The irregularity is the verb "to be" which is declined:
I am
You are
He/She/It is
We are
You are
They are
Just an irregular verb, of which there are quite a few in English!
Posted by gelfen
Subject-verb agreement refers to a change in the form of a
verb depending on its subject. The subject of a verb may be
singular or plural and it may be first-person (I, we) second-person
(you [singular], you [plural]), or third-person (he/she/it, they).
In English a verb changes form only when its subject is third-
person singular (he/she/it) and only in the present tense.
Since "you" is a second-person subject, and may be singular or plural, the verb does not change.
Posted by FutureDesign
This reminds me of french class
Posted by govigov
Thank you dave and gelflen.
Posted by Kwiksta
i think it's because you can use the word 'you' also in the plural form like when u say 'you are cool' you could be saying it to a group of people (esato members!) or a single person (govigov)
hope this helps
ps i learnt it in french