# Writing Resumes "are" not necessary?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 20, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968 "2005-02-20T01:00:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Asteroide](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asteroide)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/21 "2005-02-20T09:28:13Z")
> [@missbunny](#):
>
> I can’t imagine how they could be right. Maybe they meant “riding resumes”; i.e., resumes that detail one’s “riding” as opposed to “jumping” or “steeplechase.” 😉
>
> Let us know if they answer you!
Resumés that detail your writing experience ?
ie “Please submit samples, writing resumés are not required.”
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/22 "2005-02-20T17:35:47Z")
It was a simple question and the contestants could not surmise about any other context surrounding the question. The local public service broadcast is known as SCETV-radio and has several syndications, including NPR and PRI(public radio international). But, hey, this is not about what the radio station is called. I sent my email to SCETV-radio.
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### Author:  [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/23 "2005-02-20T20:55:48Z")
Granted, the host might have been saying it poorly, but writing is a “singular plural”, or whatever the heck they call it. It’s also a verb being used as a noun. Both of these usages are allowed, but ‘writing’ _must_ be used with ‘is’ in this case.
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### Author:  [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/24 "2005-02-20T23:23:41Z")
> [@barbitu8](#):
>
> On this morning PBS’ program \*Whad 'Ya Know _, the question was asked what is wrong with the following sentence: “Writing resumes is not necessary…” The answer given was that the verb should be are. I’ve been pondering this all day and cannot agree. If \* resumes \* is the subject, \* writing_ would have to be an adjective, but the adjective of this word is _written_. \*Writing \*is a gerund noun, and _resumes_ modifies _writing_, at least in my mind. So, since this is a syndicated program heard throughout the nation, I must be wrong. Explain why I’m wrong.
Parse “writing resumes” as “to write resumes”. “Writing resumes” is a noun phrase, and a _singular_ one at that. “Writing resumes” is an activity, which “is not necessary…”
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### Author:  [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/25 "2005-02-20T23:26:46Z")
> [@Mathochist](#):
>
> Parse “writing resumes” as “to write resumes”. “Writing resumes” is a noun phrase, and a _singular_ one at that. “Writing resumes” is an activity, which “is not necessary…”
Ah, yes. hit submit rather than preview.
Parse “writing resumes” as “resumes of [one’s] writing”. Now “resumes” is a _plural_ noun modified by the adjective “writing”. “Writing resumes” are objects, which “are not necessary”.
Now, The only way to tell which is correct is the context of the rest of the sentence which you’ve conveniently snipped.
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### Author:  [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/26 "2005-02-20T23:49:13Z")
> [@jasonh300](#):
>
> Here’s a thought…
>
> Maybe ‘writing’ is being used as a noun, as you would use handwriting.
>
> “Writing resumes are not required; typewritten resumes are acceptable.”
>
> I know this is awkward usage, but is this show British or some other English speaking country other than the US?
I’ve never heard or seen that language construct, ever. It certainly isn’t in general usage in the UK.
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### Author:  [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/27 "2005-02-20T23:54:31Z")
I’m going with **JasonH’s** scenario with “writing resumes” being a format or type of resume. If you think about the sentence “Writing resumes is not necessary” it doesn’t make that much sense. “Writing resumes” as opposed to what? “Verbally delivering resumes?”
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### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/28 "2005-02-21T00:08:10Z")
Well, it could easily be something simple like “Writing resumes is not necessary when looking for jobs at places such as McDonald’s or Wal-Mart.”
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/29 "2005-02-21T01:48:12Z")
> [@Mathochist](#):
>
> Ah, yes. hit submit rather than preview.
>
> Parse “writing resumes” as “resumes of [one’s] writing”. Now “resumes” is a _plural_ noun modified by the adjective “writing”. “Writing resumes” are objects, which “are not necessary”.
>
> Now, The only way to tell which is correct is the context of the rest of the sentence which you’ve conveniently snipped.
IIRC the sentence was “Writing resumes is not at all necessary for one to obtain \*\*\* (something).” The way I heard it, and I heard it thrice, was to differentiate writing resumes from oral resumes. However, I may be wrong, and if you are correct that would justify its usage on the program. I was listening to it while driving and did not give it my undivided attention.
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### Author:  [@dhcstar957](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhcstar957)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/30 "2005-02-21T01:56:42Z")
> [@barbitu8](#):
>
> On this morning PBS’ program _Whad 'Ya Know , the question was asked what is wrong with the following sentence: “Writing resumes is not necessary…” The answer given was that the verb should be \* are. I’ve been pondering this all day and cannot agree. If \* resumes \* is the subject, \* writing_ would have to be an adjective, but the adjective of this word is \* written\*. \* Writing _is a gerund noun, and \* resumes_ modifies \* writing\*, at least in my mind. So, since this is a syndicated program heard throughout the nation, I must be wrong. Explain why I’m wrong.
From what you have said I have to agree with the station. Résumés is plural, so “are” should be used if referring to “Writing résumés are not necessary…” Just as stated by TellMeI’mNotCrazy said…
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#):
>
> Well, it could easily be something simple like “Writing resumes is not necessary when looking for jobs at places such as McDonald’s or Wal-Mart.”
However, since the entire context is not revealed, this is an assumption.
With that said, in another life time I did own a résumé company and we did just that, write résumés for individuals that did not know how to write about their accomplishments. Or for the too busy executive, we would even write theirs.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/31 "2005-02-21T02:54:52Z")
> [@dhcstar957](#):
>
> From what you have said I have to agree with the station. Résumés is plural, so “are” should be used if referring to “Writing résumés are not necessary…” Just as stated by TellMeI’mNotCrazy said…
It doesn’t matter that “resumes” are plural. The verb is supposed to agree with the act of writing, not “resumes.”
Would you say “Doing the dishes isn’t difficult” or “Doing the dishes aren’t difficult?” I suspect the former. That’s correct, because the verb is supposed to agree with “doing” not “dishes.” Same with our example.
“Writing resumes are not necessary” makes it sound like “writing” is supposed to be an adjective, which doesn’t really make any sense in this context. It would either be “written resumes” for that meaning. (There is another possibility, which is “writing resumes” meaning “resumes who write,” an absurd concept, of course.)
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/32 "2005-02-21T03:21:48Z")
That’s right, **pulykamell**. :smack: The full sentence would be “The job of writing resumes is, etc.” Either way, it’s singular.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/33 "2005-02-21T03:38:53Z")
It depends on what is mean.
A “writing resume” is how you list your credentials as a writer. Thus, “Writing resumes are not needed” is correct if they are saying “Don’t send us a listing of your writing credits.”
If the intention is “we don’t require you to write a resume,” then “Writing resumes is not necessary.”
It all depends on the context to determine what is correct.
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### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/34 "2005-02-21T03:45:41Z")
I’ve managed to… find the real audio transcript - is it the beginning, middle, or end of the ep?
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/35 "2005-02-21T03:49:19Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> It depends on what is mean.
>
> A “writing resume” is how you list your credentials as a writer. Thus, “Writing resumes are not needed” is correct if they are saying “Don’t send us a listing of your writing credits.”
>
> If the intention is “we don’t require you to write a resume,” then “Writing resumes is not necessary.”
>
> It all depends on the context to determine what is correct.
Ah…and that’s a plausible possibility I haven’t thought of. In that case, “writing” is an adjective, so of course the verb should agree with “resumes.”
Good catch.
(Though I suspect that in the manner most people are reading it, “writing” is interpreted as a gerund, not an adjective.)
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### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/36 "2005-02-21T03:56:28Z")
Looks like I’m gonna have to listen to the whole thing… let’s hope it’s in the beginning 😉
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### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/37 "2005-02-21T04:41:45Z")
Writing portfolios is in no way necessary in today’s educational assessments.
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### Author:  [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/38 "2005-02-21T04:42:56Z")
It’s a 2 hour show. They usually do the quiz about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through each hour.
The local station won’t know anything about this. You can email Michael, the host, from [this page](http://www.notmuch.com/Speak/Mail/michael.html). Unfortunately, there’s no address, just the form.
I’m guessing **CaveMike** has the answer, unfortunately.
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### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/39 "2005-02-21T04:44:25Z")
Doh, hit wrong button.
That totally changes the context. I would take this sentence to mean that “Writing portfolios [samples of someone’s writing] are in no way necessary in today’s educational assessments” making the original sentence incorrect, and the correct answer offered by the show accurate.
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-resumes-are-not-necessary/290968/40 "2005-02-21T06:12:33Z")
It’s an ambiguously structured sentence. It isn’t clear whether “resumes” is plural, or “writing resumes” is a singular (ideal) activity.
It would be better stated:
“Writing a resume is not necessary.”
Or:
“The act of writing resumes is not necessary.”
Saying:
“Writing resumes are not necessary,” implies that “writing” is modifier (in this case, an adjective) to “resumes” (plural, general). Perhaps (as has been suggested) they said or meant “written resumes”?
You know, you wouldn’t have these problems with Espera…never mind. :dubious:
Stranger
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