student asking question

Could you explain the grammar here? Why the subject (=dumplings) is plural, but the complement (=a similar shape) is singular?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

This is quite common. There are many instances where the subject is plural and the complement is singular. Although this may seem odd, it's not important. The most important thing that needs to be focused on is proper subject-verb agreement. In this sentence, there is a proper subject-verb agreement (dumplings/are). When the complement is different than the subject, the verb needs to agree with the subject, not the complement. Ex: The child is going on a rampage. (Correct) Ex: The child are going on a rampage. (Incorrect) Ex: The children are going on a rampage. (Correct) Ex: The children is going on a rampage. (Incorrect) Ex: My cat acts like a young child. (Correct) Ex: My cat act like a young child. Ex: My cats act like a young child. (Correct) Ex: My cats acts like a young child. (Incorrect)

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