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Subject:RE: Is Contents Singular or Plural? From:shelly -dot- l -dot- hazard -at- exgate -dot- tek -dot- com To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com Date:Wed, 9 Feb 2000 12:36:05 -0800
<<Which is correct and why?
The contents of the table entry area are unpredictable when
no match is
found.
The contents of the table entry area is unpredictable when
no match is
found.>>
Personally, I would say
"The content of the table entry area is unpredictable when no match is
found."
The dictionary (Webster's New World) states that 1) everything inside or all
that is contained in a writing or speech (ex. table of contents and the
contents of a jar) and 2) essential meaning or all that is dealt with in a
course or area of study (ex the content of a poem as distinguished from its
form).
In this case, I'd argue that the content of the table entry area is similar
to the content of a poem as defined in the dictionary's example.
