Whether you think "list" is correctly plural or singular, in this case the
subject of the verb is plural because it consists of two noun-phrases ("The
tomcat docs", "this mailing list") joined with a conjunction ("and"):
"The tomcat docs and this mailing list has been a huge disapointment.."
Chris Walker
> -----Original Message-----
> From: johnny paul penry [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 11:35 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Disapointment (way, way off topic)
>
>
> Rob Bryant wrote:
> > The subject, in this case "list," is singular: one _list_.
> So the correct
> > conjugation of the verb "to have" is "the list has." His
> (Steven's) usage
> > was correct, your correction was incorrect.
>
> the internet. my favorite to witness grammar debates, unsolicited
> chastisement, and off-topic hilarity.
>
> um, when referring to a singular _group_, grammarians have differed on
> what is correct subject-verb agreement. the english language is
> ambiguous on this point. either "the list has" or "the list have" is
> acceptable when "list" refers to a group. both uses have their
> authoritative literary proponents. subtle shadings of meaning may be
> expressed by one or the other. that is, a group may act in
> concert, or a
> group may act as a set of somewhat autonomous individuals. thus, both
> corrections are incorrect as hard and fast rules of english grammar.
>
> as you were.
>
> luv, johnny
>
