What is the correct way to say that the theme of a nursery is butterflies?
What is the correct way to say that the theme of a nursery is butterflies?
I said to a friend, “Is the theme butterflies?”
She responded, “Butterflies are the theme.”
My reasoning is that there is one theme, so it should be “is”. She seems to think that the theme is plural, so it should be “are”. Which is correct?
Best answer:
Answer by Rachel
The nursery is butterfly-themed, is what I would say in general.
But neither of you are correct. You can’t form a sentence like she did. I agree with you, though, the correct term is “is”. There IS one theme. There ARE multiple butterflies. When you look at her sentence, “butterflies” is more of an adjective. The sentence relates to the theme in the end, everything in the sentence is about the theme. HOWEVER.
theme–> butterflies –> theme is butterflies –> butterflies is theme? No. This means her sentence works in her context. It all depends on how you phrase it. THIS IS EDITED. Realized I had a brain fart. Heh.
Hope this helps!
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Both are correct.
You said “Is the theme butterflies?” the object being “theme”. “Is the theme” is correct.
She said “Butterflies are the theme.” the object being “butterflies.” “Butterlies are” is correct.