For English language people.

[slobodan]

Nice one !

I reckon I've got a credibility gap somewhere - I said it was ARE way back at the start of the thread and no bugger took any notice .....

I'll have you know that I was taught English at one of the better Grammar Schools in London (Before they invited me to leave !)

See post no. 5

[Albannach]

See post no. 5

Fair point. You didn't ignore him, you merely questioned his understanding of his mother tongue.

[Surf01]

First one is definitely "is" and second is "are". Singular balloon therefore "is" is used. Second one takes Bob & Peter as more than one therefore "are" is used.
Astounding that such a simple question it is being debated over a number of posts.

[slobodan]

Fair point. You didn't ignore him, you merely questioned his understanding of his mother tongue.

I like to think I was seeking a second opinion.

So, Where's Bob and Peter is a no no?

[Tiger]

correct or not i would say that is the most commonly used

[Predictable Bob]

Ahh - now we're getting down to the nub of the issue !

Usage versus Grammar - don't even go there with today's kids .....

I's going out wiv me homies - init !

[Tiger]

Ahh - now we're getting down to the nub of the issue !

Usage versus Grammar - don't even go there with today's kids .....

I's going out wiv me homies - init !

well i wouldn't of said it was that severe. I understand the need to teach correctly at school but a small interpretation on the english language is hardly the end of the world. I'am sure 99% of people use (Where's) for everything

This is only my opinion, if i'am wrong or you don't agree no probs

[Predictable Bob]

No problem for me either really EXCEPT that I've got three 17 year olds that I'm vainly trying to convince of the need to use correct English in some situations .......

[Tiger]

No problem for me either really EXCEPT that I've got three 17 year olds that I'm vainly trying to convince of the need to use correct English in some situations .......

I hear you on that one. my 8 year old talks like a baby and it drives me crazy

[Predictable Bob]

It may not get better anytime soon - one of mine still lapses into baby talk now and then (It's usually followed by at least two of us jumping on him and giving him a good hammering !)

[Tiger]

It may not get better anytime soon - one of mine still lapses into baby talk now and then (It's usually followed by at least two of us jumping on him and giving him a good hammering !)

My kind of education

[Sancho]

Well, it's almost always 'are', but it could be 'is'. If Bob and Peter was, for example, the name of a company then it would be possible to use 'is'. It's not so common in Britain but, in other English speaking countries, 'is' is commonly used where a plural can be considered a group. For example, they might have a news report saying 'Arsenal is the new league champion' where we would say 'Arsenal are the new league champions'. If they had a hope in hell of winning.....

So, 'is' could be right but only if Bob and Peter were recognised as some form of group and you weren't restricting it to British English.

Personally, I would have put 'are' though.

[TOYOTATONY]

Well, it's almost always 'are', but it could be 'is'. If Bob and Peter was, for example, the name of a company then it would be possible to use 'is'. It's not so common in Britain but, in other English speaking countries, 'is' is commonly used where a plural can be considered a group. For example, they might have a news report saying 'Arsenal is the new league champion' where we would say 'Arsenal are the new league champions'. If they had a hope in hell of winning.....

So, 'is' could be right but only if Bob and Peter were recognised as some form of group and you weren't restricting it to British English.

Personally, I would have put 'are' though.

Once again: The use of any football team's name is to describe a collective number of people, thus is plural. It is wrong to use 'is' as stated above, just in the same way it's wrong to say or write, "Where is Bob & Peter?". Only the word 'are' may be used in this context, regardless of the name of the team. It is correct to use 'is' if for example a question is asked, e.g. "Where is the Arsenal football team?" or "Where is the Arsenal football stadium?" On the other hand, if you're asking of the players whereabouts, you'd ask, "Where are the players?" not "Where is the players?".

All members, is this not now enough on this subject, or are we to continue?

Get it? Got it? Good!

[Predictable Bob]

Well this should be the 44th post which is well in excess of the nominal 20 so feel free to deviate from the topic !

I HATE X Fuctor - it bores me rigid and is just a vehicle for the Simon Cowell agrandisment society ...

How's that for a start ?

[Tiger]

Love Stacey and where is all her mates