I am at a conference in Vermont, and four principles of a "Open Spaces" were being discussed. Of one, the speaker said, "I am not sure of the grammar of this one:"

"Whoever comes are the right people."

Or is it "Whoever comes is the right people?"

Either way I think it's wrong.

Wow that is a tough one, Kalleh!

I think you could go with the firt one-- the one that says what you mean-- because 'who' can be singular or plural.

"People" is plural so the first is correct.

Whoever they are, they seem incredibly horny.

To rephrase, "Those who come, whoever they may be, are the right people."

Even hornier that way.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Proofreader>,

Considering the title of this thread, perhaps this belongs here.

Ignoring the political implications, is there really such a thing as a "retroactive retirement"?

The reason I don't think the first is right is because isn't "whoever" singular? That is, shouldn't it be "whoever is?"

Whatever...

As the statement refers to a possible future event, the verb should not be in the present tense.

And I would leave the word "people" out:

"Whoever comes will be right".

It is implicit in the noun "whoever", which means "whatever person", that it is people that are being referred to. Indeed, if the phrase "whatever person" is used instead of "whoever", then the grammar becomes obvious.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard English:
As the statement refers to a possible future event, the verb should not be in the present tense.

And I would leave the word "people" out:

"Whoever comes will be right".

Then why not "whoever will come will be right?"

Surely rewording it would make it more readable (with this audience, I hate to say will make it "correct".) However, for a major initiative such as this, you'd think they would have reworded it.

I think "Whoever will come will be right" works much better.

quote:

Originally posted by Kalleh:
Surely rewording it would make it more readable (with this audience, I hate to say will make it "correct".) However, for a major initiative such as this, you'd think they would have reworded it.

I think "Whoever will come will be right" works much better.

It is unclear to me what is meant by the word "right" in that context. Does it mean that whatever they say will be correct; or does it mean that they are the ones who belong there?

Whoever answers my question will be right.

Oh, I do like to be right!

This is a collaborative group of people. They decide on categories, and then people self select. So...I think they mean the people who come to each section are those who belong.

They don't make it very clear, though, do they?