Natalie,

I think the problem arises from an ambiguity in the parsing.  If the sentence is taken as containing a relative clause, then the verb in that clause must agree with its antecedent (plural).  However, if the sentence is taken as containing a noun clause (the so-called cleft-sentence transform), it must be a restatement of the subject, which is singular.  A reasonable restatement would be: "What reminds us of what's important is times like these."

Bruce

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Natalie Gerber
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 10:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Grammar in a TV commercial.

Dear all,

I wonder how you would parse "times like these" in the example below forwarded to me by a student. Is the use of the singular form of the verb reminds and of the singular pronoun it erroneous, or does the embedded structure of the question, Isn't it..., imply or create--at least for spoken English--a singular, collective sense to the noun phrase that makes it singular in implication?

Thanks for your help.

Natalie Gerber
Department of English
SUNY Fredonia

________________________________
From: Marien, Alex Joseph
Sent: Mon 4/6/2009 8:36 AM
To: Gerber, Natalie
Subject: Grammar in a TV commercial.

Hello, Dr. Gerber,

I was watching television just a few minutes ago, and I noticed this commercial (which I was surprisingly able to find on YouTube).  http://www.youtube.com/watchv=WZSDOx89m2I

The beginning line states, "Isn't it TIMES LIKE THESE that REMINDS us of what's important?"

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that the verb does not agree with the subject in terms of number.  "Times like these" seems to be plural where the verb, "reminds," is trying to agree in singular form.  I guess "times like these" could be looked at as singular, but it still sounded funny to me when I was listening to the commercial.

I don't know, I just thought it was interesting.

Thanks,
-Alex
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/


 NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.



To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/