Confused about this plural verb....

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Hello! Thank you in advance for any help you could provide! My question is on the verb "encourages" - 'S' or no? The subject of the sentence is 'the quality of', so I think the first one is correct...but I've confused myself after reading too many grammar rules! (sorry for the caps!)

TO PROVIDE THE QUALITY OF FACILITIES, GOODS, AND SERVICES THAT ENCOURAGES MEMBER AND EMPLOYEE CONFIDENCE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR COOPERATIVE.

VS

TO PROVIDE THE QUALITY OF FACILITIES, GOODS, AND SERVICES THAT ENCOURAGE MEMBER AND EMPLOYEE CONFIDENCE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR COOPERATIVE.

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Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 374 • Replies: 5

[+3] - centrox - 11/16/2017[quote="limehat31"]The subject of the sentence is 'the quality of', so I think the first one is correct[/quote] You are right.

@limehat31,

limehat31 wrote:

The subject of the sentence is 'the quality of', so I think the first one is correct

You are right.

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@centrox,

Oh thank goodness! Thanks so much for your response, I had my document edited and was told the "s" was incorrect. I really appreciate the confirmation Smile

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It's not a sentence, it's a phrase.

The mission of the company is to provide .....

The reason why you use "encourages" is the article "the" in front of quality.

Take out the "the" and the verb goes plural.

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@limehat31,

In my opinion, the preferable verb form is "encourage."

"We want to provide the quality of goods and services that ENCOURAGE employee confidence."

1. We want to provide the quality of something.
2. What does "something" refer to?
3. I feel that it refers to "Goods and services that ENCOURAGE employee confidence."

Compare:

"The quality of goods and services that ENCOURAGE employee confidence is what we want to provide."

I feel that the relative pronoun "that" clearly refers to "goods and services."

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In the business world, "goods and services" is often considered as a unit.

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Confused about this plural verb....

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