Deep in the Doo-Doo (or is it Does-Does?)

Microsoft Word is right.

Mr. E said:

Which is correct:

"John Smith is one of those who does the fighting."

OR

"John Smith is one of those who do the fighting."

?? Microsoft Word suggests the second, but I'm not convinced.

Click to expand...

Deconstruct. Forget Smith for a while and break the sentence into its parts.

John Smith is the subject. Two points!

Is is the verb. We're on a roll here.

one of those who do/does the fighting is the direct object phrase. It consists of the direct object, one, and a prepositional phrase, of those who do/does the fighting. The preposition is of, of course.

Now, looking at just the prepositional phrase, which is correct? Is it those who does the fighting or those who do the fighting

Microsoft Word has it. I hate to admit that, but I agree.

Maryn, hoping this made sense

Who does the fighting? The soldiers do the fighting.

Is John Smith one of them? Yes, John Smith is one of those who do the fighting.