Most of the books explain it + singular or plural

Question

Should the following be singular or plural?

Most of the books explain it in a way that's difficult to understand.

Since books are plural, shouldn't the part in bold be also plural?

it refers to the notion being explained. What is difficult to understand? It is not the books. It is what is explained therein. Btw, you've written explian instead of explain.
Passing thought; unless all the books explain it the same way, this should be ways that are difficult to understand.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-18 15:04:31Z

up vote 4 down vote accepted

No, it is a contraction of that is. The verb isn't agreeing with books, it's agreeing with way.

answered Jun 18 '12 at 15:04

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者
13.7k22953

JAM · Answer 2 · 2012-06-18 15:04:14Z

up vote 3 down vote

The way it is written is correct. "That's" (that is) refers to the way, which is singular, not the books.

answered Jun 18 '12 at 15:04

JAM
5,38021130

2 Answers