Henle Latin I - Ex. 131, #19

[Kim W.]

Greetings,
We have a question concerning the following:

Henle Latin I, p. 116, Ex. 131, #19

Answer in English:
The Romans' baggage train is on the bridge.

Our Translation in Latin
Impedimenta Romanorum in ponte est.

The answer key has "sunt" for the verb.

Why is the verb plural and not singular?

Thanks for your time,
Kim
Merritt Island, FL

[Valerie]

"Impedimenta, impedimentorum," is a neuter plural noun (even though the meaning, baggage, baggage train, sounds singular in English), hence the need for the plural verb.

Valerie

[Michael]

Valerie is exactly right. Impedimenta is like the word "scissors" in English. Both refer to something singular, but agree with their verb in number (e.g. we say "scissors are" not "scissors is"). For a review of plural nouns in Henle I, see Unit 1, Lesson 6 on p. 64.

Michael

[Kim W.]

Thank you both for the clarification.