In a message dated 8/4/03 1:30:25 PM, dgrant at iastate.edu writes: << > << Another vital element of learning english is the > words (thankfully there aren't a great many) that > are exceptions to the general rules of grammar and > especially pronunciation >> >> << I think the original version was correct. 'is' refers to the element, not the words element is ... words are >> Hmm..."another vital element of learning English are the words that are exceptions to the general rules of grammar..." "Another vital element in English would be to learn the words that are exceptions..." I ain't no grammar teacher, ya'll!! Anyone in the market for a good Duo 2300?? Andrew