craig_shrives

Kennyp is right, but he has only answered half of your question. When the word represents a group (flock, team, choir, class, etc.), then ken's guidelines should be followed. When it doesn't, however, then the singular form should be used: A series of factors is to be considered. Cleanliness of the areas is the responsibility of blah blah. A box of tapes is under the bed. :D

Mandy, When a conjunction (e.g. "and", "or" + "but") is used to merge two sentences into one, it is usual to place a comma before it. However, when it is before the last item in a list, then no comma is the norm. For example: I love eggs and butter, and I love cheese. Can you see the difference? As explained in Grammar Monster software (which I have bought and can highly recommend), there is a lot of leniency on this subject. Regards Craig

Or to put it another way: Active verb in the past tense: I learned French. Past participle: I have learnt French. This word is going through change. The word "cookt" used to exist. Active verb: I cooked a pie Participle: I have cookt a pie. However, "cookt" is now obselete. I fear "learned" is going the same as we all confuse "leanrt" and "learned". Learned (meaning educated) is an adjective in its own right (like "intelligent"). That's all folks. :D

There are two interesting tests at: http://www.grammar-monster.com/tone.htm

Mmmm, an interesting question. I don't dispute that both versions above are correct, but that is not the issue. "Have the letter typed now" is active in my view. As an imperative sentence, it is similar in style to "Have the driver sleep now." "Have" is the verb and "driver" is its object. Therefore, it's an active sentence. I think the past passive participle "typed" is only an adjective in your sentence. (Actually, it's an object complement.) The best I can do to make it passive is: "The letter is to be typed under your instruction." Normally, the agent in a passive sentence is shown with "by". However, in this sentence, this alters the meaning; "...by you" would mean that "you" are the one typing. A great question...sorry I have no better answer.