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My favorite animal are dogs.

Is this acceptable?

I believe this is ok because I see "animal" as one species and "dogs" as the variety of breeds.

Of course, the best answer would be "my favorite animal is the dog" but that's not the point.

Could someone give me a clear, technical answer as to whether or not this is acceptable (grammar)?

Thanks

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    The verb agrees with its subject, not its complement. Dogs are your favorite animal, but your favorite animal is a dog.
    – tchrist ♦
    Commented Nov 21, 2014 at 5:42
  • 1
    My favorite animal is the dog. My favorite animals are dogs and cats (the dog and the cat). The reference in this sentence is to the kind of animal, not an individual.
    – Kris
    Commented Nov 21, 2014 at 5:47
  • The variety of breeds is not relevant to the context, the kind of animal alone is enough.
    – Kris
    Commented Nov 21, 2014 at 5:50
  • you might be interested in ELL, our sister site, which is a good site for basic English questions.
    – anongoodnurse
    Commented Nov 21, 2014 at 5:58
  • This is a valid question that deserves an answer.
    – Rusty Tuba
    Commented Nov 21, 2014 at 6:01

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It ain't acceptable. ;)

"My favourite animal" is the subject of the sentence and singular. The verb needs to agree with the subject in number. So it has to be "is" rather than "are": 'My favourite animal is the dog' forces the complement also agree.

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  • Can you say, my favorite animal is a dog?
    – Lumo5
    Commented Mar 28, 2018 at 14:03

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