"poses" or "pose" in this sentence?

Question

The activation and deactivation of features at runtime poses challenges for ...

Is that sentence correct? Or does “activation and deactivation” require the plural, i.e., "pose"?

Peter Shor · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-12 13:29:18Z

3

Either one works. You can view it as a single unified set of actions, as in

Throwing and catching is a fundamental skill.
Breaking and entering is a serious crime.
Fish and chips is delicious.

Or you can view it as two separate actions:

Throwing and catching are fundamental skills.

answered Nov 12, 2013 at 13:29

Peter Shor

87.6k8 gold badges182 silver badges307 bronze badges

that was what confused me, that ultimately both work.
– mrsteve
Nov 12, 2013 at 13:42
I'd upvote, Peter, but I'm sure we've been here before – and you don't exactly need the points. Buy yourself a fish and 43 chips.
– Edwin Ashworth
Nov 12, 2013 at 22:00

Add a comment |

VijayaRagavan · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-12 12:04:09Z

1

Activation and Deactivation of features - This has two actions involved. Plural. So 'Pose' will be right.

answered Nov 12, 2013 at 12:04

VijayaRagavan

2791 silver badge10 bronze badges

Add a comment |

2 Answers 2