By Plurals, Constructions

Re: Is the sentence structure right?

Liat, I don’t think the correct answer should be dependent on the number of student based on the original question which was only 5% of the students are placed after completion of their training. Clearly, the subject is the percentage which is “5%”, not the student; if my understanding is true....

Re: less/fewer than

Hi TanitHere is the usage note from the American Heritage Dictionary:The sort of usage highlighted above is widely accepted.I'd say fewer than would tend to be used in such instances if you want to stress or focus on the individual "pieces" that make up the measurement (for whatever...

Re: singular or plural? what concern(s)

What sometimes seems to have a plural force but nevertheless requires a singular verb. Clearly we would say What is needed is a spotlight, but what if spotlights - the plural form - is used.instead. The options are these: What is needed here is spotlights. ? What are needed are...

Re: The acoustic/acoustics in the opera house

Hi Peaceblinkfriend,I can see your interpretation that the 'sound architecture / construction' of the opera house is excellent.However, I beg to differ. The reason is simple to me.; here are the three clues:1. the use of the preposition 'in'.2. the plural verb 'are'.3....

Re: Parallel structure

avoidance occurs when individuals strategically refrain from broaching an issue with their partner.: individuals is plural, their is singular (assume), is this acceptable? I find this accepable. But I prefer "an individual... their partner" to be clear about the 1:1 relationship. The subject of...

Re: Parallel structure

I'd like to follow up with this question, because I've been wondering about this since the beginning of time it seems like. Please answer and verify my claims below. avoidance occurs when individuals strategically refrain from broaching an issue with their partner.: individuals is plural,...

Re: Why this way?

Hi, Believer, I'm still at the point where I have to take these nouns on a case-by-case basis. Let's talk about one of my favorite subjects, food (or foods.) Category one (I'm making this up): nuts, cherries, berries, peas, beans, etc. (small things) - You can make a pecan pie or a cherry...

Re: everyone looks like they are

Philip wrote: Yoong Liat wrote: Anduy wrote:Everyone looks like they are enjoying the party.Everyone look like they are enjoying the party.Please tell me which sentence is the correct one.Thank you. Although 'everyone' means 'all the people', a singular verb has to be used. Every apple is...

Re: everyone looks like they are

Yoong Liat wrote: Anduy wrote:Everyone looks like they are enjoying the party.Everyone look like they are enjoying the party.Please tell me which sentence is the correct one.Thank you. Although 'everyone' means 'all the people', a singular verb has to be used. Every apple is rotten. Every...

Re: Bunch

Whether an expression is number transparent shouldn't vary depending on whether agreement is "from the left" or "from the right". Are you finding cases where that's so? (The only agreement with the verb on the left is the there construction, isn't it? Is that what you mean?) I don't...