Guest  +  84582 Mon, 28 Mar 05 04:25 PM what exactly is the difference between The pen is mightier than the sword and pens are mightier than swords? Guest Difference Between

	julielai  +  84631 Mon, 28 Mar 05 07:12 PM Your words are more powerful than your weapon. An example: Let's say I'm a journalist and I want to do something about police corruption. I can either a) go after the bad cops myself (physically) or b) write a story on the newspaper and educate the public about the issue. According to this saying, b is more effective than a. julielai Joined on Sun, Oct 24 2004 Senior Member 3,827 Just another blogger (http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/julie-lai)

	julielai  +  84682 Tue, 29 Mar 05 01:54 AM OOPs, sorry. I didn't answer your question. The former is the standard saying, while the latter is a variation of it. Depends on how many people are holding pens/swords . . . julielai

	CalifJim  +  84683 Tue, 29 Mar 05 02:03 AM What exactly is the difference between ( A ) "The pen is mightier than the sword" and ( B ) "Pens are mightier than swords"? There are three exact differences, as you can see: 1. "the pen" is used in ( A ) where "pens" is used in ( B ). 2. "the sword" is used in ( A ) where "swords" is used in ( B ). 3. Because of the difference in number, "is" is used in ( A ) where "are" is used in ( B ). Only A is the correct wording of the proverb. B is an incorrect form of that proverb which is perfectly grammatical and means the same thing, but is not so poetic in style. I think the singular with "the" is usually used instead of the plural when the author wants to make a loftier, more poetic expression. (Some people may prefer to call it an aphorism instead of a proverb, by the way.) CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,383 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Verbs, Plurals, Difference Between

	paco2004  +  84708 Tue, 29 Mar 05 05:12 AM Hello (A.) The pen is mightier than the sword. (B.) Pens are mightier than swords. (A.) makes sense but (B.) not. [Reason] 'Pens' and 'swords' mean nothing but tools for writing and those for fighting. 'The pen' and 'the sword' could mean abilities of writing and those of fighting. paco paco2004 Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004 Senior Member 4,095 In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.