<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I’m writing one of my application essays and I’m unsure if the verb/subject in this sentence is agreeing. </p>
<p>Thank you: The gusto of this interest was not its components, but its meaning to me. </p>
<p>Does it sound unclear?</p>
<p>I can’t even tell what it’s supposed to mean. Can you rephrase it in a longer form, like a couple sentences? Context would help.</p>
<p>The BIGGER problem w this sentence is not subject/verb agreement, but the fact that it comes off sounding totally awkward and contrived</p>
<p>“Gusto” is a noun, and the way you are using “interest” makes it a noun. You need a verb instead of “gusto”.</p>
<p>It’s sounds like you used a thesaurus; it’s too pedantic.</p>
<p>Try </p>
<p>…not in its…but in its…</p>
<p>Read it through substituting pleasure for gusto, and you will see why both ins are necessary.</p>
<p>That said, this your phraseology is tortured, and I would recommend rewriting in something closer to Plain English.</p>