Our second software guy Heitor, together with ...., Quentin, seem to have

Question

I have a question here:

First I wrote this:

Our second software guy Heitor, together with software guy number one, Quentin, , seems to have solved the problem

But then I changed the seems to seem, but for some reason it looks wrong to use the plural here. hmmmm, what do you suggest'

Answer 1

Heidita,

In this sentence to me "seems" sounds perfectly fine. (Indicating that it is a permanent solving of the problem). "Seem" doesn't 'sound' quite right.

I would also suggest "together with our number one software guy", or, "together with the number one software guy..."

Annie.

Answer 2

I have a question here:

First I wrote this:

Our second software guy Heitor, together with software guy number one, Quentin, , seems to have solved the problem

But then I changed the seems to seem, but for some reason it looks wrong to use the plural here. hmmmm, what do you suggest?

I would say "seem" as Heitor and Quentin would equate to "they". We never say they seems.

Answer 3

Hi here Eddy,

Oh I might have it wrong here and I'm not quite sure how to express it but...

Don't the commas around "together with .......Quentin" sort of eliminate that part of Heidita's sentence grammar-wise and so the "seem" or "seems" is referring to what H has done?

oh dear we/I always say 'seems'

For instance..
"I thought it was going to be cloudy but it now seems like the sun is going to shine"

I've got to admit, the English language is very strange!

Annie.

Answer 4

While it's true (as Eddy says) we don't say "they seems", that's nor really relevant in this case. "together with software guy number one, Quentin, " is, basically an adverb (adverbial phrase) modifying the verb and does not change the fact that the subject of the sentence is "guy" and is singular. The whole phrase is, essentially, a parenthetical interpolation which does not alter the underlying grammatical structure of the sentence. Of course, if one were to change the "together with" to "and" the situation is completely changed and one has a compound subject (for which "solve" would, indeed, be appropriate).

Answer 5

I've got to admit, the English language is very strange!

Annie.
And especially in Australia. I have yet to recover from your "flat as a biscuit".

Answer 6

Hi here Eddy,

Oh I might have it wrong here and I'm not quite sure how to express it but...

Don't the commas around "together with .......Quentin" sort of eliminate that part of Heidita's sentence grammar-wise and so the "seem" or "seems" is referring to what H has done?

oh dear we/I always say 'seems'

For instance..

"I thought it was going to be cloudy but it now seems like the sun is going to shine"

I've got to admit, the English language is very strange!

Annie.

Quite possibly but the word together indicates "they" to me. But as I have said countless times before, grammar is not my strong point. Come to think of it, I don´t know which is my strong point.

Answer 7

And maybe to make it a bit clearer grammar-wise you would be correct in saying..

[/b]Our second software guy Heitor[b],together with software guy number one Quentin,[/b]seems to have solved the problem.[b]

Annie.

Answer 8

Samdie,

Great reply! "parenthetical interpolation" - Mmm. I think I'll stick to..

"flat out like a biscuit" or, even, "flat out like a lizard drinking".

Annie.

Answer 9

This looks like a flat out duke-it-out free-for-all. The correct word for Heidita to use would have been "seem" (no "s", not seems). Her original post as it now shows is/was correct.

What was done by one guy AND another guy was done by "them". So, whatever the "it" (singular) that seems to have been done "they" (plural) seem to have been resposible for it.

Stand fast, Eddy. You seem to have been right the first time.

Samdie: An adverbial phrase ... and ... a parenthetical interpolation. But if you change some of the words to mean or express something else, then "solve" may also be substituted for "seem" or "seems". Forgive me, this all seems nutsy to me.

I confess, I dont have any idea what you seem to have written. Did you assist Lewis Carroll in writing The Jabberwocky? Is it any wonder our Aussie member wants to stick to "G'dye mate!". Seems fair to me, Anne Sherwood.

Answer 10

This looks like a flat out duke-it-out free-for-all. The correct word for Heidita to use would have been "seem" (no "s", not seems).

What was done by one guy AND another guy was done by "them". So, whatever the "it" (singular) that seems to have been done "they" (plural) seem to have been resposible for it.

Stand fast, Eddy. You seem to have been right the first time.

That´s why I have said nothing. They can quote adverbial clauses, composted rhetoric, subjugated adnouns all day long. the word "seems" in this case just doesn´t seem to fit.

Answer 11

Heidita,
Your first sentence is correct, except for punctuation. It could be corrected as follows:
"Our second software guy, Heitor, together with software guy number one, Quentin, seems to have solved the problem."

In this sentence, the subject is singular: "Our second software guy." The correct verb is "seems." [He seems to have solved the problem.]

The prepositional phrase "together with software guy number one, Quentin," is not part of the subject. It is additional information that could be moved to the end of the sentence.

If you had written "Our second software guy, Heitor, 'and' software guy number one, Quentin" then the subject would be plural (Heitor and Quentin) and the correct verb would be "seem." [They seem to have solved the problem.]

The phrases "second software guy" and "software guy number one" are a bit confusing. I think that you mean that Quentin is your "primary" or "lead" software guy (or "technician") and that Heitor is your "secondary" or "backup" software guy. If you want to give Heitor most of the credit for solving the problem, then I would write the sentence differently: "Heitor, our backup software guy, seems to have solved the problem, with help from Quentin, who is our lead software guy."

Juan

P.S. I hope that I can learn to express myself as well in Spanish as you do in English.

Answer 12

I have a question here:

First I wrote this:

Our second software guy Heitor, together with software guy number one, Quentin, , seems to have solved the problem

But then I changed the seems to seem, but for some reason it looks wrong to use the plural here. hmmmm, what do you suggest?

I suggest that software guy #1 abdicate his title to software guy #2, (because software guy #1 has enough software problems of his own). That way there will only be one software guy and the discussion is moot.

Answer 13

I suggest that software guy #1 abdicate his title to software guy #2, (because software guy #1 has enough software problems of his own). That way there will only be one software guy and the discussion is moot.

Hmmmm, this is getting complicated, as I saw this morning a very nice and ever so tecnical post by Moe, who will be named software guy number three.

However, I do like this:

'Heitor, our backup software guy,

But then...Moe would be the backup of the backup software guy...hmmmmm, confusing...

Thanks for all the answers and I am happy to see that not even natives agree on this. Eddy, I think I will stick with seems, sounded more correct to me in the first place.

Answer 14

I suggest that software guy #1 abdicate his title to software guy #2, (because software guy #1 has enough software problems of his own). That way there will only be one software guy and the discussion is moot.

Hmmmm, this is getting complicated, as I saw this morning a very nice and ever so tecnical post by Moe, who will be named software guy number three.

However, I do like this:

'Heitor, our backup software guy,

But then...Moe would be the backup of the backup software guy...hmmmmm, confusing...

Thanks for all the answers and I am happy to see that not even natives agree on this. Eddy, I think I will stick with seems, sounded more correct to me in the first place.

Still trying to find this bloody corner.

Answer 15

Seems would be the correct usage because you broke up the sentance with the commas and are referring to two different indivuals individually. At first I thought it was seem, but after reading it a few times I am certain that it is seems.