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Should the plural are or singular is be used in the following?

All of these words in me are / is to express how much I love you.

I think only are works, but I saw an ad that used is in this sentence. And is "are to" natural? Should "are meant to" be used instead?

I'd appreciate your help.

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  • All of the people on the street is wearing|are wearing hats?
    – TimR
    Jul 29, 2018 at 9:43
  • all is the plural subject.
    – TimR
    Jul 29, 2018 at 10:21
  • Four of my cassettes for your Madonna CD is a fair exchange. Four indicates plurality.
    – Apollyon
    Jul 29, 2018 at 10:55

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First, it should definitely be are because that matches with the plural words.

If you saw an ad that used is, it was wrong.

All of these words in me are to express how much I love you.

Although slightly unusual, there is nothing wrong with that sentence.

Variations, including your alternate suggestion and some that don't use are at all, include:

All of these words express how much I love you.
All of these words are to express how much I love you.
All of these words are meant to express how much I love you.
All of these words in me express how much I love you.
All of these words are in me to express how much I love you.
All of these words in me are meant to express how much I love you.

Each of these is grammatical.

I can't tell you which version you should use. It depends on exactly what you're trying to say.

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