Grammar Question

[2FAST4U]

Which is correct?

The quality of instruction and learning are just not there

The quality of instruction and learning is just not there

I think it's #2 as it talks about quality - the quality is just not there

Thanks

[Joe]

#3 - The quality of instruction and learning isn't there.

At least that's how I would do it. But #1 is definitely wrong.. You're talking about the singular subject of "quality" so the singular verb of (to be) would be IS..

[2FAST4U]

Thanks

[NAGA]

"Of instruction and learning" is a prepositional phrase. Sometimes a noun within the prepositional phrase seems the logical subject of a verb. Don't fall for that trick! You will never find a subject in a prepositional phrase.

The prepositional phrase in this case acts as an adjective to modify the subject, "quality."

Grammar:

It's the difference between "knowing your shit" and "knowing you're shit."

LOL

d

[edwardb]

Originally Posted by 2FAST4U

Which is correct?

The quality of instruction and learning are just not there

The quality of instruction and learning is just not there

I think it's #2 as it talks about quality - the quality is just not there

Thanks

According to grammar/style checkers I use, either is OK. My English teacher would have put a red line through "just" because it's unnecessary and wordy. If this is business correspondence, the rules say to not use contractions (with all due respect to Joe) but that usually doesn't stop me.

[watermoccasin]

Originally Posted by 2FAST4U

Which is correct?

The quality of instruction and learning are just not there

The quality of instruction and learning is just not there

I think it's #2 as it talks about quality - the quality is just not there

Thanks

From my daughter the English and journalism major:

Anything that follows "of" is part of the prepositional phrase and does not influence the verb.

The noun is "quality" so the verb has to agree. So "is" not "are."

Make sense?

[2FAST4U]

Yes!

[Cory]

The quality of instruction and learning is just ain't there

[jimgood]

If you were to restructure the sentence it might be: Of instruction and learning, the quality is just not there.

Then "is" makes perfect sense.

[CRAZYBOBDS]

How bout. The quality of instruction and learning is inadequate.


Bob Leach

[ClemsonS197]

I choose engineering as a career to avoid situations like this.

[Cobra Cory]

Speaking of the quality of instruction and learning....This forum ROCKS!

[Hunter 2]

Neither. Both are incorrect.

Let's start at the beginning of the problem.

While technically the "quality" of a weld, or car design can be determined as they apply directly to a noun (animal, person, place or thing) via sight or touch, the "quality" of "instruction and learning" are not nouns but unverifiable determinations which, if desired, can be qualified through test and results. As the quality of "instruction and learning" are not nouns, grammatically they should not be considered to be placed or found in a location such as "there".

Been doing this professionally for over 26 years. I got a check last week for $10k from a client for writing a two-page document explaining this type of word play.

[Don Payne]

Originally Posted by 2FAST4U

Which is correct?

The quality of instruction and learning are just not there

The quality of instruction and learning is just not there

I think it's #2 as it talks about quality - the quality is just not there

Thanks

Speaking of 'are's...

Sean Connery: What is the "R's"?
Alex Trebek: No, it's not in the "R's".
Sean Connery: Not in the "R's", eh? Well, that's not what your mother said last night, Trebek.

[ROB J]

I'd just say this. "The quality sucks, and I didn't learn shit."

[Cobra Cory]

On Sept 19th...Arrrrre is correct.

The Official site for International Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19

[NAGA]

Actually, "quality" is just a feature that can be either good or bad. Therefore, one has to infer that "good" quality is being implied here.

Let me suggest this phrasing that would be much clearer.

"The quality of instruction and learning bites a big one."

There, isn't that much clearer?


d

[Michael Stora]

Hunter 2, I assume you mean they are not physical objects ("quality" is as much as a noun as "freedom") therefore they cannot have a location. But there does not always indicate a location. It can be a state or condition as in 10 below.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.

there
   [thair; unstressed ther]
adverb
1.
in or at that place ( opposed to here): She is there now.
2.
at that point in an action, speech, etc.: He stopped there for applause.
3.
in that matter, particular, or respect: His anger was justified there.
4.
into or to that place; thither: We went there last year.
5.
(used by way of calling attention to something or someone): There they go.
6.
in or at that place where you are: Well, hi there.
pronoun
7.
(used to introduce a sentence or clause in which the verb comes before its subject or has no complement): There is no hope.
8.
that place: He comes from there, too.
9.
that point....
noun
10.
that state or condition: I'll introduce you to her, but you're on your own from there on.
adjective
11.
(used for emphasis, especially after a noun modified by a demonstrative adjective): Ask that man there.
interjection
12.
(used to express satisfaction, relief, encouragement, approval, consolation, etc.): There! It's done.
Idiom
13.
been there, done that, Informal . (used to say that you have experienced or are familiar with something and now think it is boring or of little worth): A big house in the suburbs? Been there, done that.

Even when it is a place, it an be an allegorical place: "You have improved but you are not quite there yet".

Mike

PS. Speaking of locations, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[ROB J]

Originally Posted by Michael Stora

PS. Speaking of locations, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Correction, beauty is in the eye of the BEER-holder.