The Grammar Cop is loath to admit that this set of boo-boos gives her a headache – yet it’s simple to fix. Let’s do it!

1. There are others who continue to believe the entire set of events are coincidence and nonsense, and that the “brain injuries” found are no worse than what might be observed in a very close examination of typical adults.
2. While I am loathe to admit it, after the past four years, it is impossible to ignore that many in our party revel in this president’s misogyny.
3. As expected, the current restrictions on the US-Canada border has officially been extended for another month until at least November 21st.

And the corrections:

1. At first this may look okay to you, but it sure doesn’t to this grammar guru. The problem is in: “the entire set of events are coincidence and nonsense.”
   Q: What is the subject of this clause?
   A: “set.”
   Q: Is “set” singular or plural?
   A: Singular.
   Q: What is the verb in this clause?
   A: “are.”
   Q: Is the verb “are” singular”?
   A: NO! It’s plural, so it’s wrong, because it has to agree with the subject, “set,” which is singular. Therefore the verb must be singular too. It must be is.  The clause must be changed to: the entire set of events is coincidence and nonsense. (Note that the subject is the singular set, not the plural events.) (Here’s a good use of “set” with a singular verb: “Havana syndrome is a set of medical signs and symptoms experienced by United States and Canadian embassy staff in Cuba.”)
2. When we’re “loath” to do something, there should be no “e” on the end. The only time “loath” becomes “loathe” is when it is a verb, as in: I loathe olives. In the given sentence above, “I am loathe to admit it,” the word “loathe” should be loath, since it’s not a verb here. It is an adjective describing “I.”
3. Now we have yet another verb blooper. “Has officially been extended” should be have officially been extended. Why?  Because the subject “restrictions” is plural, so the verb form must be plural, too.

This ends our little language lesson on verbs. Why not tune in next Friday to see what goodies (and baddies!) the Halloween Grammar Cop brings you? Meanwhile, have a safe week, Friday Follies friends.

👻💀☠👻👹👻