Please help me to clarify which sentence is correct? Thank you in advance [on hold]
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The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I can definitely help you.
or
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I can definitely help you.
Please pay attention to the words "are" and "is", and punctuation marks.
Thank you!
grammar punctuation
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
put on hold as off-topic by Dan Bron, tchrist♦ 2 days ago
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I can definitely help you.
or
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I can definitely help you.
Please pay attention to the words "are" and "is", and punctuation marks.
Thank you!
grammar punctuation
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
put on hold as off-topic by Dan Bron, tchrist♦ 2 days ago
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
You have changed two things at the same time between the two sentences. (The verb form and the punctuation.) As it turns out, the second sentence gets both right. But if you're only asking about is versus are, I would keep everything else identical.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:35
add a comment |
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I can definitely help you.
or
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I can definitely help you.
Please pay attention to the words "are" and "is", and punctuation marks.
Thank you!
grammar punctuation
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I can definitely help you.
or
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I can definitely help you.
Please pay attention to the words "are" and "is", and punctuation marks.
Thank you!
grammar punctuation
grammar punctuation
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
asked Mar 7 at 15:41
SophiaSophia
12
12
put on hold as off-topic by Dan Bron, tchrist♦ 2 days ago
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as off-topic by Dan Bron, tchrist♦ 2 days ago
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
You have changed two things at the same time between the two sentences. (The verb form and the punctuation.) As it turns out, the second sentence gets both right. But if you're only asking about is versus are, I would keep everything else identical.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:35
add a comment |
1
You have changed two things at the same time between the two sentences. (The verb form and the punctuation.) As it turns out, the second sentence gets both right. But if you're only asking about is versus are, I would keep everything else identical.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:35
1
1
You have changed two things at the same time between the two sentences. (The verb form and the punctuation.) As it turns out, the second sentence gets both right. But if you're only asking about is versus are, I would keep everything else identical.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:35
You have changed two things at the same time between the two sentences. (The verb form and the punctuation.) As it turns out, the second sentence gets both right. But if you're only asking about is versus are, I would keep everything else identical.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:35
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
It would be even better if you use "it" instead of "this" in the second sentence of the latter option. As in that option, you are referring to your way, it is advisable to prefer "it" for further clarity and certainty.
So you should say, "The way I do things is a little different. If it works for you, I can definitely help you."
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is problematic for two reasons:
1. First, there is an issue with subject-verb agreement. With "way" being the simple subject, the verb should be "is" (3rd person singular agreemnt).
From a structural perspective, "way" is the head of the noun phrase with the relative clause "(that) I do things" acting as a postmodifier.
The placement of "things" next to the main verb is likely the reason for the confusion.
2. The first sentence contains a comma splice, which is particularly confusing because of the complex sentence that follows it.
There are three clauses, but only two complete ideas:
"The way I do things is* a little different"
"if this works for you"
"I can definitely help you"
We can tell the first two clauses do not go together since if you put them together the meaning changes (and is nonsensical). There are two independent clauses and one dependent clause. We can see how they connect by trying both possible combinations.
X "The way I do things is a little different, if this works for you."
This makes no sense. The person only (habitually) does things differently if it works for someone else? Since this is nonsense, we can reject this combination. So let's look at the other option:
"If this works for you, I can help you."
The help is conditional on the person accepting the terms presented.
So there are two complete ideas:
The way I do things is a little bit different.
If this works for you, I can help you.
They either need to be separate sentences, or connected through a semicolon or by using a coordinating conjunction.
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is grammatical and has correct punctuation. It fixes the problems in the first sentence.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
add a comment |
The first sentence is a run-on. Sentences must be concise and easy to read and understand. A run-on sentence confuses readers and turns them off. Hence, the second sentence is correct as it stops after the first sentence. It also breaks the two parts of the second sentence with a comma - as it should.
The verb here must refer to the noun "the way," because you're not talking about "things." You're talking about "the way you do things." "The way" is a singular noun. Hence, a singular verb must be used. "is" is the correct form to be used here.
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
1
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
It would be even better if you use "it" instead of "this" in the second sentence of the latter option. As in that option, you are referring to your way, it is advisable to prefer "it" for further clarity and certainty.
So you should say, "The way I do things is a little different. If it works for you, I can definitely help you."
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
It would be even better if you use "it" instead of "this" in the second sentence of the latter option. As in that option, you are referring to your way, it is advisable to prefer "it" for further clarity and certainty.
So you should say, "The way I do things is a little different. If it works for you, I can definitely help you."
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
It would be even better if you use "it" instead of "this" in the second sentence of the latter option. As in that option, you are referring to your way, it is advisable to prefer "it" for further clarity and certainty.
So you should say, "The way I do things is a little different. If it works for you, I can definitely help you."
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It would be even better if you use "it" instead of "this" in the second sentence of the latter option. As in that option, you are referring to your way, it is advisable to prefer "it" for further clarity and certainty.
So you should say, "The way I do things is a little different. If it works for you, I can definitely help you."
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
answered 2 days ago
VmaXVmaX
111
111
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
VmaX is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is problematic for two reasons:
1. First, there is an issue with subject-verb agreement. With "way" being the simple subject, the verb should be "is" (3rd person singular agreemnt).
From a structural perspective, "way" is the head of the noun phrase with the relative clause "(that) I do things" acting as a postmodifier.
The placement of "things" next to the main verb is likely the reason for the confusion.
2. The first sentence contains a comma splice, which is particularly confusing because of the complex sentence that follows it.
There are three clauses, but only two complete ideas:
"The way I do things is* a little different"
"if this works for you"
"I can definitely help you"
We can tell the first two clauses do not go together since if you put them together the meaning changes (and is nonsensical). There are two independent clauses and one dependent clause. We can see how they connect by trying both possible combinations.
X "The way I do things is a little different, if this works for you."
This makes no sense. The person only (habitually) does things differently if it works for someone else? Since this is nonsense, we can reject this combination. So let's look at the other option:
"If this works for you, I can help you."
The help is conditional on the person accepting the terms presented.
So there are two complete ideas:
The way I do things is a little bit different.
If this works for you, I can help you.
They either need to be separate sentences, or connected through a semicolon or by using a coordinating conjunction.
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is grammatical and has correct punctuation. It fixes the problems in the first sentence.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
add a comment |
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is problematic for two reasons:
1. First, there is an issue with subject-verb agreement. With "way" being the simple subject, the verb should be "is" (3rd person singular agreemnt).
From a structural perspective, "way" is the head of the noun phrase with the relative clause "(that) I do things" acting as a postmodifier.
The placement of "things" next to the main verb is likely the reason for the confusion.
2. The first sentence contains a comma splice, which is particularly confusing because of the complex sentence that follows it.
There are three clauses, but only two complete ideas:
"The way I do things is* a little different"
"if this works for you"
"I can definitely help you"
We can tell the first two clauses do not go together since if you put them together the meaning changes (and is nonsensical). There are two independent clauses and one dependent clause. We can see how they connect by trying both possible combinations.
X "The way I do things is a little different, if this works for you."
This makes no sense. The person only (habitually) does things differently if it works for someone else? Since this is nonsense, we can reject this combination. So let's look at the other option:
"If this works for you, I can help you."
The help is conditional on the person accepting the terms presented.
So there are two complete ideas:
The way I do things is a little bit different.
If this works for you, I can help you.
They either need to be separate sentences, or connected through a semicolon or by using a coordinating conjunction.
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is grammatical and has correct punctuation. It fixes the problems in the first sentence.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
add a comment |
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is problematic for two reasons:
1. First, there is an issue with subject-verb agreement. With "way" being the simple subject, the verb should be "is" (3rd person singular agreemnt).
From a structural perspective, "way" is the head of the noun phrase with the relative clause "(that) I do things" acting as a postmodifier.
The placement of "things" next to the main verb is likely the reason for the confusion.
2. The first sentence contains a comma splice, which is particularly confusing because of the complex sentence that follows it.
There are three clauses, but only two complete ideas:
"The way I do things is* a little different"
"if this works for you"
"I can definitely help you"
We can tell the first two clauses do not go together since if you put them together the meaning changes (and is nonsensical). There are two independent clauses and one dependent clause. We can see how they connect by trying both possible combinations.
X "The way I do things is a little different, if this works for you."
This makes no sense. The person only (habitually) does things differently if it works for someone else? Since this is nonsense, we can reject this combination. So let's look at the other option:
"If this works for you, I can help you."
The help is conditional on the person accepting the terms presented.
So there are two complete ideas:
The way I do things is a little bit different.
If this works for you, I can help you.
They either need to be separate sentences, or connected through a semicolon or by using a coordinating conjunction.
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is grammatical and has correct punctuation. It fixes the problems in the first sentence.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
The way I do things are a little different, if this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is problematic for two reasons:
1. First, there is an issue with subject-verb agreement. With "way" being the simple subject, the verb should be "is" (3rd person singular agreemnt).
From a structural perspective, "way" is the head of the noun phrase with the relative clause "(that) I do things" acting as a postmodifier.
The placement of "things" next to the main verb is likely the reason for the confusion.
2. The first sentence contains a comma splice, which is particularly confusing because of the complex sentence that follows it.
There are three clauses, but only two complete ideas:
"The way I do things is* a little different"
"if this works for you"
"I can definitely help you"
We can tell the first two clauses do not go together since if you put them together the meaning changes (and is nonsensical). There are two independent clauses and one dependent clause. We can see how they connect by trying both possible combinations.
X "The way I do things is a little different, if this works for you."
This makes no sense. The person only (habitually) does things differently if it works for someone else? Since this is nonsense, we can reject this combination. So let's look at the other option:
"If this works for you, I can help you."
The help is conditional on the person accepting the terms presented.
So there are two complete ideas:
The way I do things is a little bit different.
If this works for you, I can help you.
They either need to be separate sentences, or connected through a semicolon or by using a coordinating conjunction.
The way I do things is a little different. If this works for you, I
can definitely help you.
This sentence is grammatical and has correct punctuation. It fixes the problems in the first sentence.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
1855
1855
add a comment |
add a comment |
The first sentence is a run-on. Sentences must be concise and easy to read and understand. A run-on sentence confuses readers and turns them off. Hence, the second sentence is correct as it stops after the first sentence. It also breaks the two parts of the second sentence with a comma - as it should.
The verb here must refer to the noun "the way," because you're not talking about "things." You're talking about "the way you do things." "The way" is a singular noun. Hence, a singular verb must be used. "is" is the correct form to be used here.
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
1
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
add a comment |
The first sentence is a run-on. Sentences must be concise and easy to read and understand. A run-on sentence confuses readers and turns them off. Hence, the second sentence is correct as it stops after the first sentence. It also breaks the two parts of the second sentence with a comma - as it should.
The verb here must refer to the noun "the way," because you're not talking about "things." You're talking about "the way you do things." "The way" is a singular noun. Hence, a singular verb must be used. "is" is the correct form to be used here.
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
1
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
add a comment |
The first sentence is a run-on. Sentences must be concise and easy to read and understand. A run-on sentence confuses readers and turns them off. Hence, the second sentence is correct as it stops after the first sentence. It also breaks the two parts of the second sentence with a comma - as it should.
The verb here must refer to the noun "the way," because you're not talking about "things." You're talking about "the way you do things." "The way" is a singular noun. Hence, a singular verb must be used. "is" is the correct form to be used here.
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
The first sentence is a run-on. Sentences must be concise and easy to read and understand. A run-on sentence confuses readers and turns them off. Hence, the second sentence is correct as it stops after the first sentence. It also breaks the two parts of the second sentence with a comma - as it should.
The verb here must refer to the noun "the way," because you're not talking about "things." You're talking about "the way you do things." "The way" is a singular noun. Hence, a singular verb must be used. "is" is the correct form to be used here.
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
edited 2 days ago
TrevorD
10.7k22458
10.7k22458
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
answered Mar 7 at 15:52
MikeMike
12
12
1
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
add a comment |
1
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
1
1
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
The first sentence is not a run-on; it's a comma splice—and unacceptable from any viewpoint. (Comma splices are sometime acceptable, but I can't think of a justification for this one.)
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:34
add a comment |
1
You have changed two things at the same time between the two sentences. (The verb form and the punctuation.) As it turns out, the second sentence gets both right. But if you're only asking about is versus are, I would keep everything else identical.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 7 at 21:35