Question

Does " a subset of " take a singular or plural verb in american english?

Answer 1

Answer: answer is both singular and plural.

Explanation: The reader is right that the verbs modify 'subset,' of course, but whether the verbs should be singular or plural is a little tricky You see, subset is a collective noun, and collective nouns can use either singular or plural verbs depending on whether you want to emphasize the group or the members of the group.

Answer 2

Explanation: In American English, the phrase "a subset of" is typically followed by a singular verb. This is because the word "subset" itself refers to a smaller, specific portion of a larger set or group. Since "subset" is singular, the verb that follows it should also be singular. For example:

"A subset of the data is analyzed."

"A subset of the team has completed the task."

However, it's worth noting that language can be flexible and context-dependent. In some cases, if the emphasis is on the individual elements within the subset, a plural verb might be used. It's generally safer to use a singular verb with "a subset of" in formal writing.