Correct Usage of "His Mathematics Are Weak" and Its Grammatical Implications

The sentence ldquo;His mathematics are weakrdquo; can indeed be considered grammatically true, yet it is not the most conventional way to express the idea that someone is inadequate in mathematics. This article delves into the nuances of the phrase, exploring the rules of subject-verb agreement, the implications in different contexts, and alternative phrasings that might be more appropriate.

Subject-Verb Agreement and the Nature of Mathematics

The crux of the matter lies in the subject-verb agreement. In languages like English, the form of the verb must match the number and person of the subject. For example, in the sentence ldquo;He talks rightly,rdquo; the verb ldquo;talksrdquo; agrees with the singular subject ldquo;He.rdquo; This principle applies to the singular nature of ldquo;mathematics.rdquo;

Mathematics as a Singular Noun

Mathematics is a singular noun, even though it ends in ldquo;s.rdquo; This is a general concept rather than a specific topic or set of skills. For instance:

ldquo;Mathematics is difficult.rdquo;

ldquo;Mathematics has not been able to explain this phenomenon.rdquo;

In these examples, the singular form of the noun is used with the singular form of the verb, viz., ldquo;isrdquo; and ldquo;has.rdquo;

Contextual Usage and Alternative Phrasings

While there are instances where one might use ldquo;arerdquo; in a sentence similar to ldquo;His mathematics are weak,rdquo; the more common and correct phrasing would be:

ldquo;He is weak in mathematics.rdquo;

ldquo;His command of mathematics is weak.rdquo;

These phrasings clearly convey the idea of a person's deficient understanding or skills in mathematics. The term ldquo;commandrdquo; here is particularly useful, as it implies a level of mastery or control over the subject.

Examples of Usage

Consider the scenario where a student has failed an algebra course:

ldquo;He failed his algebra course, which indicates that his mathematics are weak.rdquo;

ldquo;If he said that 42 equals 5, it would be even stronger evidence.rdquo;

These examples show how the sentence can be true from a factual standpoint. However, they also highlight the importance of using ldquo;arerdquo; in this context.

Special Cases

There is one special case where the plural form ldquo;arerdquo; could be used, and that would be in a specific context where the mathematics are referring to a set of calculations or equations, not the subject itself:

ldquo;His mathematics in proving these points are weak and donrsquo;t convince me.rdquo;

However, this usage is quite rare and typically not recommended. The general rule of thumb remains that when referring to mathematics in the broader sense, the singular form ldquo;isrdquo; is appropriate.

Conclusion

In summary, while the sentence ldquo;His mathematics are weakrdquo; is grammatically correct in certain contexts, it is often clearer and more conventional to use the singular form of the subject ldquo;mathematics.rdquo; Phrases like ldquo;He is weak in mathematicsrdquo; or ldquo;His command of mathematics is weakrdquo; are more appropriate and easier to interpret. Understanding these nuances can help improve both written and spoken communication.