A question on grammar

[AsheForeth]

May I ask a question, please? I'm writing a story which includes the following sentence: The big takeaway for me from the lecture were the twin threats of deforestation and poaching. My question hinges on the word immediately after 'lecture'. Should that be singular or plural? If it hangs on 'the big takeaway', it would be singular (was), but if it hangs on 'twin threats', then it should be plural (were). I've tried it both ways and cannot make up my mind. Thank you.

 

[anthrodisiac]

You could say "the big takeaways... were...." and then you don't have to worry which it is (it would be "was," though, since "big takeaway" is the subject the verb is tied to, and "takeaway" is singular) and everything is in agreement.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

The subject of the verb is "The big takeaway". There is one takeaway, so the verb is "was".

 

[ColtonWrites]

The subject of the sentence is "the big takeaway", which is singular, so you use "was".

 

[ElectricBlue]

The subject of the verb is "The big takeaway". There is one takeaway, so the verb is "was".

The subject of the sentence is "the big takeaway", which is singular, so you use "was".

Yep, this ^^^^

 

[Andreas_Kreuz]

Simplify/split/modify the sentence, because what confused you about the grammar will also confuse the reader.

 

[ColtonWrites]

Yep, this ^^^^

The timestamps are fun

 

[Britva415]

The big takeaway was deforestation. And poaching. That is to say, the two big takeaways were deforestation, poaching, and an almost fanatical dedication to the Pope. I'll start over. Among the big takeaways are...

 

[Britva415]

The subject of the verb is "The big takeaway". There is one takeaway, so the verb is "was".

Yes, 100%. And this isn't so much a grammar question as a consistency matter. One takeaway turns out to be two things? That's the trouble here.

 

[SimonDoom]

Singular. "Was" not "were." The verb must agree with the subject (the big takeaway) not the predicate nominative (the twin threats of deforestation and poaching).

 

[Kumquatqueen]

If it's one big takeaway, you want was, and then the takeaway is 'the twin threat' not threats, because it's one threat divided in two.

Or you could have 'the big takeaways' and make it all plural.

 

[SimonDoom]

Or you could have 'the big takeaways' and make it all plural.

I think this is the best way to do it. Two takeaways. Make everything consistently plural.

 

[StillStunned]

They can takeaway our singular, but they will never takeaways our plurals!

 

[SimonDoom]

They can takeaway our singular, but they will never takeaways our plurals!

I am William Wallace, and I see a whole army of my fellow authors, ready to defy bad grammar.

 

[davion2308]

It's been covered but I'll just be reinforcement. "The Big Takeaway" is singular so the big takeaway was the twin threats of deforestation and poaching. Or you could get creative and say "The big takeaway was the combined threat of deforestation and poaching," if it makes you feel better. The sentence you have a mildly awkward so changing it around may help you feel more confident.

 

[XerXesXu]

Grammar includes both syntax and semantics. They were conflicted. Adding (s) to 'takeaway' removes the bump in the road.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

I was trying so hard not to workshop the sentence itself (because that wasn't what was asked) ....

 

[AsheForeth]

Thank you all very much!