Question

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• A. Mumps is a common childhood illness.
• B. Mumps are a common childhood illness.
• C. The mumps have been spreading rapidly.
• D. Mumps seem to be dangerous.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Mumps is a common childhood illness.

• Even though "mumps" ends with an 's', it is treated as a singular noun because it's the name of a disease.

• Therefore, it should take a singular verb — "is" — not "are."