Can anyone help me answer this confusing grammar?
@evergreentree (51)
Vietnam
August 8, 2011 4:53am CST
Intelligence, passion and hard work "ARE" simply enough to build a successful business.
Intelligence, passion and hard work "IS" simply enough to build a successful business.
"ARE" OR "IS" correct in this case? And can you refer me some grammatical books which mention this problem
4 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
8 Aug 11
"simply enough" is also incorrect. By the place it holds in the sentence, it is clear that it is intended to mean that ONLY intelligence, passion and hard work are required. ("Simply" and "only" may be used as synonyms, though they do have slightly different connotations). "Enough" is really redundant here: it doesn't add to the meaning of the sentence.
"Intelligence, passion and hard work are all that is required to build a successful business." is what, I think, is intended. Notice that 'is' is used in "all that is required" because 'all' is singular (even though it is referring to the collection of qualities).
1 person likes this
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
8 Aug 11
You would use "are" when referring to multiple things, such as intelligence, passion, and hard work. I think the use of the phrase "simply enough" is kind of awkward, too. I would use "all it takes" instead. It might be a little cliche or overused, but it also sounds more familiar and flows better. 
@vkatrix (78)
• India
8 Aug 11
Hi lilbabycatapillar!!
I agree with you :)
"Simply enough" is indeed twisting the entire sentence somehow- it just doesn't fit in. "All it takes" is a better option any day.
However... I feel that "prerequisite" would be a better option.
Please let me know what you think of that. :)
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
8 Aug 11
How would you use "prerequisite"? As a noun? I wouldn't use that word in most speech, but it could work. If used as a noun it would have to be plural, but it could also just be used as an adjective.
There's "Intelligence, passion, and hard work are prerequisites to build a successful business."
or "Intelligence, passion, and hard work are prerequisite to build a successful business."
I think I would actually use "building" rather than "build," but I'm not sure if that would be better or why.
@vkatrix (78)
• India
9 Aug 11
Thank you lilbabycatapillar :)
My bad, actually, here. I should have put down the entire sentence. :P
I meant the sentence to be "Intelligence, passion and hard work are prerequisite to build a successful business."
Using "building" WOULD make the sentence better. Definitely. That would lead to further change in the sentence too, wouldn't it??
I believe the sentence would become:
"Intelligence, passion and hard work are prerequisite IN building a successful business."
Is that right?? :P
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
8 Aug 11
You will have to use 'are' in this case as the subject is plural as it comprises three things at a time that is 'intelligence, passion and hard work'.
@vkatrix (78)
• India
8 Aug 11
Hi evergreentree!!
This is a very common confusion: English is a pretty vague language, and the answer is as simple. :)
You ought to use ARE in this case.
Reason
In this particular sentence, all of the mentioned qualities, collectively, are requisite for building a successful business.
Had you been talking of one of them, you would have used IS.e.g had the sentence been this:
Intelligence, passion OR hard work IS ALONE enough to build a successful business.
One of the best grammar books ever is High School Grammar by Wren & Martin. It's an exceptional book, capable of dissolving all your doubts as far as English grammar is concerned. :)
Hope that helped!! O:) :)
