I am also not an expert here, but by using "it" you are weighing in with the
singular camp--otherwise the choice would be they.  I am inclined towards
the singular also--first, learning and assimilating information are not
separate acts, but really only two different words to describe the same
occurrence (taking in information).   Does that make sense?

-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Grimes [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2001 9:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Help with verbal as subject


Hi. I'm no expert in these matters, but what would happen if you substituted

the pronoun "it" for your second "information"?

      "Learning and assimilating new information is always easier when it is

presented in a familiar pattern." Do we still have the same problem? Would
the disagreement still arise over the use of a singular vs. a plural
pronoun?
Is such a substitution viable?

Barb