Is or are? (The rich and the poor is/are...)

[Van Khanh]

Please choose "is" or "are" or both are correct?

a/ In fact, A and B is/are one company.
In fact, A and B is/are two different companies.
b/ The good and the devil is/ are.....
The rich and the poor is/are.....

thanks
Khanh

[Bara]

Are you serious don't know what to choose

[Van Khanh]

Hi,

You're right. All of my questions are from my life when working. For those I don't post here, I can find in the dictionary or ask my friends that are also foreigners.

You know, when I ask my friends these questions, they smile and tell me they can't explain because they use these words like a habit even they are English.

So, I post these questions here in the hope of finding the rule.

K

[Bara]

Please don't take it seriously. It was only a joke. I was just kidding . I really didn't mean anything. I my-self always willing to help.

[Van Khanh]

[Bara]

Hi
Since you are talking about tow things (weather good, devil, rich and poor or any tow or more things), you have to use are. But if you want to talk about anyone in specific you can use is, for instance, The poor is a real problem, nowadays.

Upon my poor knowledge, all these words (the good, devil, poor, rich) are uncountable nouns.

Baraa

[Yankee]

Hi Khanh

a/ In fact, A and B are one company.
In fact, A and B are two different companies.
b/ The good and the devil are.....
The rich and the poor are.....

It's best to think this way:
1 + 1 = 2 ... (2 or more = plural!)

One uncountable thing + one uncountable thing = 2 uncountable things = plural

"The good" when used to refer to people is plural:
Only the good die young.

Hi Baraa