GATE2013 EE: GA-4

Question

Choose the grammatically CORRECT sentence:

• A. Two and two add four.
• B. Two and two become four.
• C. Two and two are four.
• D. Two and two make four.

Comments

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/9053/should-i-use-the-singular-or-plural-verb-in-mathematical-formulae-two-and-two

and I guess D 

what's correct one?

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The grammatically CORRECT sentence traditionally preferred in standard English and competitive exams is:

"Two and two make four."

Why this is the correct choice:

• The Traditional Rule: When you connect two numbers using "and", the subject is treated as compound and plural (like "He and I"). Therefore, it takes the plural verb make.

• The Mathematical Idiom: "Two and two make four" is a well-established, idiomatic mathematical proverb in the English language.

A Quick Nuance Note (For General English vs. Exams)

In everyday spoken English, you will frequently hear people say "Two and two is four" or "Two and two equals four" because they view "two and two" as a single mathematical operation/concept.

However, among your given multiple-choice options:

• "are four" is occasionally accepted in modern speech, but "make four" remains the undisputed king of idiomatic correctness in grammar tests.

• "add four" is incorrect because "add" needs a preposition here (e.g., "Two added to two").

• "become four" is incorrect because numbers don't transform into other numbers; they combine to equal them.

Answer 1

• Two and two add four -- Correct form is "Two and two add to four"

Sentences $B$ and $C$ are wrong forms of the sentence "Two and two is equal to four". (Value is becoming equal)

• Two and two make four. -- is Correct. "makes" is also correct usage here. 

Correct Answer: D

Comments

Option C is similar to "Two twos are four" (2 $\times$ 2 = 4). Then why is it wrong?

Answer 2

D) seems to be correct ans.

Answer 3

Singular and plural are both correct.

The singular form is also used because "two and two" is an arithmetic formula. The verb agreement, in that case, is with the formula as a single entity.

• Two and two make four.

In your example in particular, Google indicates that the plural form occurs more often:

"two plus two make four" = 353K results
"two plus two makes four" = 77K results

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/9053/should-i-use-the-singular-or-plural-verb-in-mathematical-formulae-two-and-two

 

Answer 4

option (D) is correct.

Two and two make four. 

Answer 5

The question asks us to choose the grammatically correct sentence among four options:

1. Two and two add four.
2. Two and two become four.
3. Two and two are four.
4. Two and two make four.

To determine the most suitable answer, we need to consider several key points:

1. Grammar and usage:
   - "Two and two" can be considered a compound subject, typically taking a plural verb.
   - Both "are" and "make" are commonly used in mathematical expressions.
   - "Make" is particularly common in everyday language to express the result of addition.

2. Mathematical expression:
   - In mathematical equations, "are" is often used to express equality, especially with plural or compound subjects.
   - However, "and" in mathematical expressions can be ambiguous, potentially meaning either addition or multiplication.

3. Analysis of options:
   - Option 1 is incorrect in its current form. The correct version would be "Two and two add to four."
   - Option 2 is incorrect as it implies a process of change, which is inaccurate for a constant mathematical fact.
   - Option 3 is grammatically correct but potentially ambiguous due to the dual meaning of "and" in mathematics.
   - Option 4 is grammatically correct and commonly used in everyday language.

4. Ambiguity consideration:
   The potential ambiguity of "and" in mathematical expressions is demonstrated by these examples:
   - "5 and 3 are 15" could be correct if "and" means multiplication (5 × 3 = 15).
   - "5 and 3 are 8" could be correct if "and" means addition (5 + 3 = 8).

Conclusion:
While both options 3 and 4 are grammatically correct, the potential ambiguity introduced by "and" in option 3 makes it less suitable. Therefore, option 4, "Two and two make four," is the most appropriate choice. It is grammatically correct, commonly used in everyday language, and avoids the ambiguity present in option 3.

**from the information given by Claude AI as it is or edited.

Answer 6

C. Its universal truth.