In Noun phrases^x, Expressions^x

Let me quote from 'Fowler's Modern English Usage'. The expression a number of + plural noun as in a number of people NORMALLY takes a plural verb in both BrE and AmE, because the plural noun is regarded as the 'head' of the noun phrase and therefore as the real subject: A number of books by...

Hi Hela My comments are in the quote. Hela wrote:1) When we have a couple adjectives describing the same thing (e.g. material) don't we list them in alphabetical order? No - a Concrete and Glass building That was your word order. You could also say "a glass and concrete building"...

Thank you Yankee for your comments. 1) When we have a couple adjectives describing the same thing (e.g. material) don't we list them in alphabetical order? - a Concrete and Glass building- a peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich But it's true that you've written "a gorgeous Silk and Satin...

Well guys, looks like every one here goes witha singular verb but American Heritage says it should be have. Actually I saw this sentence in Americam Heritage but couldn't figure out why is it so. Following is the passage; Every is representative of a large class of English words and...

It seems to me that the ellipsis in these constructions is no worse than that in other "acceptable" constructions. Webster's Dictionary of English Usage likewise seems to find no good reason for its censure.And why do they perhaps partly because of novelty; but both he and others have probably...

HSS wrote:If I knew what "passed for fair" and "which age turned more knowing and severe" mean, the fog would be gone. Is the "fair" part of the idiom "for fair" or is it that the "for" is part of the expression "passed for" and that the "fair" is a noun? Hello HSSI think "passed for fair" is an...

Hi teachers! Today, I had to explain to my students the somewhat controversial issue concerning the use of "their" in place of "his" with a singular antecedent. The sentece which prompted my students' question was the following: "The other person gives you their name - it's...

HiI understand "anytime" is a word proper to AmE. In OED, there is no entry for "anytime". OED contains 466 quotes using "any time" but only 9 quotes using "anytime". I believe the most formal expression in BrE is "Call me at any time". But "Call me any time" is also possible. In English, time...

Whole chapters have been written on this topic, so a forum post can only touch briefly on the generalities. We use both "the" and "a" (or "an") before a noun. "the", taken together with the rest of its noun phrase, constitutes a referring expression, an expression that refers to something...

"Air-borne" is "carried by aircraft" or "carried through the air". Expressions using "airborne": ♦ airborne alert ♦ airborne assault ♦ airborne command post ♦ airborne equipment ♦ airborne force ♦ airborne force liaison officer ♦ airborne forces ♦ airborne interception equipment ♦ airborne...