http://www.englishforums.com/search/pro.htm?q=tag%3aPluralsSearch results for 'tag:Plurals' matching tag 'Plurals'en-USXMOD (Build: 3615.39139)http://www.englishforums.com/English/SentencesCheckThanks/lqbkr/post.htm#997894Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:06:28 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:997894gleb_chebrikoff1. I often work overtime . (one word) 2. I've recently had problems with the finance s . (plural if one's own monetary funds are implied; better change 'good finances' and introduce perfective aspect with 'recently') 3. '20 viewpoints' sounds awkward and unnatural. Perhaps your friend made 20 suggestions in relation to your situation, in which case you may say Out of 20 suggestions you've made, 15 stand exactly to the point/perfectly fit (match) my situation. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ICannotSentenceMeans/lppwx/post.htm#996942Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:30 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:996942cool breezeThe sentence is a grammatical mess, especially the part in bold. I guess it would improve marginally if there were a colon after entered into them. What follows explains the speculative element: the cattle might deteriorate or be productive. They and them seem to be used because cattle is a plural word. In my opinion you have understood the sentence as correctly as it can be understood! I look forward to native speakers' opinions, though. CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatPluralPossessiveForm-Witness/lpxvp/post.htm#996565Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:23:09 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:996565califjimMake it plural. witnesses. Then add only ' if it already ends in s . witnesses' CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/CanYouCorrectMyGrammar/2/lpmzc/Post.htm#996369Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:12:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:996369mister micawberNo, no apostrophe in the 1600s . The apostrophe is a possessive marker, not a plural marker. It is grudgingly approved only in a very limited number of cases which would otherwise look confusing, as in this: mind your p's and q's .http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOfMalaise/lplpl/post.htm#995934Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:16:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:995934cliveHi, malaise s Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralOfMalaise/lplpl/post.htmSun, 22 Nov 2009 11:50:01 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:995871debpriya deWhat would be the plural of the word 'malaise' ?http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralFormOfThankYou/lpkcj/post.htm#995426Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:32:00 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:995426mister micawberMany thank-yous were expressed.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AnswerThisPlease/lxpxd/post.htm#994355Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:23:36 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:994355doctor dType is too tiny...I see I missed the opening "I's." However, my grammar books accept the apostrophe after numbers made plural. Without is also correct, but with is perfectly fine.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ProgressingMakingProgress/lpccp/post.htm#993069Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:56:09 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:993069avangiEmployment - we're making progress/progressing together I like "progressing." "We're making progress" evokes "we're not making progress." That is, "we're just barely making it," or "we're finally making progress." I think "progressing" is more enthusiastic. Our firm has 160 employees contributing to the firm's development/whose work contributes to the firm's development. I'd avoid "work." "Contributing" makes it sound like the employees are "on the team." Considering the constant growth and development of the production, distribution and retail network, there is a need for expert/skilled and...http://www.englishforums.com/English/HavingRespectDevotionNatural-World/lpbln/post.htm#992956Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:33:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992956avangiNo. Each adjective takes its own (different) preposition. When you switch to the verbals, you have new problems. They don't work in parallel. You have respect for X. You can devote the next four hours to homework. You can devote yourself to improving. You can be devoted to improving. (You can respect the world, but you can't devote the world.) "It" refers to the entire bolded participial phrase. I don't understand where you want to put the "they." The simple subject is "having," which is singular. You might suspect the verb "need" is plural, but it's actually subjunctive singular. "Money and power are intoxicating." (compound subject, plural verb) ...http://www.englishforums.com/English/HavingRespectDevotionNatural-World/lpbln/post.htm#992945Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:26:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992945cliveHi, Having respect for and devotion to the natural world need not be limited to a special Thanksgiving holiday. It can fill our lives every day throughout the year. Is it right to interpret the bold in the above as "respecting and devoting to the natural world?" Yes Besides, what does the bolded "It" refer to? Does it refer to "having respect for and devotion to ...?" Yes If yes, then should it be plural "they" because of the two different things?" No. The writer is consdiering these two very similar things to be part of a single 'attitude'. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/HavingRespectDevotionNatural-World/lpbln/post.htmThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:57:46 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992915angliholicHaving respect for and devotion to the natural world need not be limited to a special Thanksgiving holiday. It can fill our lives every day throughout the year. Hi, Is it right to interpret the bold in the above as "respecting and devoting to the natural world?" Besides, what does the bolded "It" refer to? Does it refer to "having respect for and devotion to ...?" If yes, then should it be plural "they" because of the two different things?" Thanks.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AllowOrAllows/2/lxphb/Post.htm#992399Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:46:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992399yoong liatI have never seen 'police' used with a singular verb. I am a mud as far as English is concerned. My understanding is, " police" is one of those words considered correct in both plural or singula r, depending on the writer's delivery and context in which he makes his point. The police are the official organization that is responsible for making sure that people obey the law. The police are also looking for a second car... Police say they have arrested twenty people following the disturbances... (Collins Cobuild Dictionary)http://www.englishforums.com/English/AllowOrAllows/2/lxphb/Post.htm#992142Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:57:36 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992142dimsumexpressThanks for your comments and reply to my queries. Your answers certainly erased some of my doubts toward the subject. What do you think of the following: 1) This is a list of medications which clinically show/ shows steady improvement on patients with symtoms of Insomnia. It's the medications that show. 2) The police is almost certain that there is a loose group of Juveniles who responsible for the break-ins Police is always plural. You may mean "it's the group that is" or you may mean "it's the juveniles who are" -- it's not clear what the writer's intention is. I would have chosen the plural verb form in both because of the preceding plural nouns...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AllowOrAllows/2/lxphb/Post.htm#992062Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:59:41 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992062dimsumexpressHi GG, I think the area of confusion, or "doubts" if you will, exists in situations where a "quantifier" is used in front of a plural noun. Correct me if I am wrong. Fifty percent - is a unit of something, and it's generally considered singular, I think we can agree that much; can't we?. But "Fifty percent of the people in this town doesn't believe in same sex marriage" to me doesn't fit as well as "don't believe" as the "belief" pertains to the people, not the "50%". I am quit sure many people, natives and non-natiave alike, have varying views and opinions toward this discussion. I posted that link to try to draw a parallel and didn't mean to make...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AllowOrAllows/lxphb/post.htm#992051Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:42:44 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992051califjimdimsum, your examples don't apply. Fifty percent of something plural is still plural. One-third of something plural is still plural. I agree. There is a separate rule for percentages and fractions, but that rule doesn't apply in this case. In this case, we can't know from the evidence of the sentence itself what exactly is in the mind of the writer; therefore, we don't know which antecedent is the one he is thinking of as he writes the subordinate clause. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AllowOrAllows/lxphb/post.htm#992027Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:15:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992027grammar geekdimsum, your examples don't apply. Fifty percent of something plural is still plural. One-third of something plural is still plural. Anon, the subject of entire sentence is Google docs, but it's not the subject of the clause we are debating. So answer this question for your final answer: Is it the SUITE that allows the user to share the information? or Are the PRODUCTS what is allowing the user to share the information? My understanding is that it's the way these interact as a suite that facilitates the information sharing. I see it as "A that allows..." However, if you answer "the products" then go with allow. It's "a suite of "http://www.englishforums.com/English/FriendFriends/lxmjx/post.htm#991250Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:54:51 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:991250califjimThe noun after "one of" is always plural. friend s in this case. I can't think of an exception. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WasOrWere/lxlzx/post.htm#991016Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:27:21 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:991016kooyeenI think it's because the verb agrees with "all I wanted", and for some reason that needs a singular verb. However, sometimes you might find that someone also uses a plural verb if a plural noun follows: All I needed was/were two speakers. I don't have any technical explanations to give you though.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SubjectVerbAgreement/lxlrd/post.htm#990716Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:07:51 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:990716grammar geekWill the following sentence take a single or plural verb: Peter or John take(s) the prize. I think the verb should be takes. Can you explain why you think so? You're right, but are you right for the right reason?http://www.englishforums.com/English/PronunciationGirls/lxlbg/post.htmTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:07:50 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:990715louise beach gounardMy 12 year old son, a native English speaker, goes to school in Spain where we have lived since he was four. He has just come back from school with a 9 out of 10 in an English exam. He was marked down on the oral exam for pronouncing ¨girls´¨ ,i.e. plural possessive, as one syllable. His teacher, a Spanish gentleman, maintains that there should be two syllables, girl ses. I know it isn´t right but when thinking about other similar words ending in s I cannot come up with a rule. e.g. Charles is one syllable, Charles´is two syllables. I am all set to charge up to the school but wanted to get my facts straight. Any help? Thanks!http://www.englishforums.com/English/Piece/2/lkqwx/Post.htm#990664Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:17:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:990664grammar geekYou have a deranged mind, K. I'd go with the plural - unless there was so little frabric that it couldn't be more than one.http://www.englishforums.com/English/Piece/lkqwx/post.htm#990659Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:06:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:990659kooyeenBut should I use the singular or the plural? In Italian both would be possible: the singular would focus on the "source/material", and the plural would imply the "source" consisted of more than one thing. How many pieces of t-shirt(s) did you use to make this artistic collage? There are noodles, then I added the sauce, pieces of carrot(s) , etc. Singular or plural? Both possible? (I would say either t-shirt or t-shirts in the first, and carrots in the second). Thanks.http://www.englishforums.com/English/EnglishTenses/lgmrc/post.htm#990412Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:34:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:990412snowman73English presents a number of issues to non-native (and sometimes native) speakers. It is grammatically unlike other languages, even those from which it has borrowed large vocabulary groups, and possesses a number of irregularities. Understanding these features of English may help the non-native speaker grasp the language and help native speakers see why learning English can be so difficult. 1. One problem with learning English is that is not directly related to many languages. The two closest are Scots and Frisian, but even these are not, for the most part, mutually intelligible with English. One of the things that makes learning a new language easier is already speaking a related language, and very few people speak...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Food/lnjdl/post.htm#985303Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:40:28 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:985303liveinjapanI think 'kinds' (plural) is needed because of 'are' and 'many'. I suppose 'foods' indicates 'food products'.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PossesivePluralNouns/lnwbn/post.htm#985236Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:09:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:985236califjim1 Form the plural. 2 Add an apostrophe. 3 If the ending is now s', stop. 4 Otherwise add s. boy 1 boys 2 boys' 3 STOP Answer: boys' person 1 people 2 people' 3 No s'. 4 people's Answer: people's child 1 children 2 children' 3 No s'. 4 children's Answer: children's friend 1 friends 2 friends' 3 STOP Answer: friends' CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Discipline/llrzl/post.htm#985019Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:10:38 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:985019uktoushi, In my reply, I want to say 2 things. 1: I misunderstand that MSc and BSc are adjective only. I don't know they can be nouns. thanks 2: someone told me that "I have a BSc and an MSc degrees in economics" "I have ( 2 things here, so need plural ) degrees in economics" but the person may not be correcthttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPluralPronouns/lkxql/post.htm#984867Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:25:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:984867cute572Thank you so much Guys for such informative answers. It was really helpfulhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPluralPronouns/lkxql/post.htm#972789Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:08:44 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972789grammar geekTo add additional information to Avangi's post, if I saw "its exam... two separate room" I would think the entire class took the first part of the exam in one room and the second part in another room. If I say "their exams ... two separate rooms" I would think of the class as many individuals, and some of them took their exam in one room while some took it in another.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPluralPronouns/lkxql/post.htm#972787Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:06:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972787cliveHi, A very minor comment that you don't need to use a capital letter for the word 'class'. Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Piece/lkqwx/post.htm#972727Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:34:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972727gleb_chebrikoffHello, Pleasehelp, How many pieces of T-shirts do you want? is decidedly ungrammatical: *pieces of T-shirts is a partitive construction (featuring partition in respect of quantity). The partitive a piece of is used with words denoting an undifferentiated mass, ie, noncount nouns: a piece of bacon, a piece of advice , etc. As T-shirts is a plural count noun, you shouldn't expect to combine it with pieces. It is much better to restate the idea by saying How many T-shirts would you like? , which is more compact and clear. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Piece/lkqwx/post.htm#972708Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:12:29 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972708kooyeenI usually would just say how many t-shirts...but i'm just asking 'cause i've never heard it but it's grammatically correct right? There are a lot of things that are perfectly grammatical, yet no one says them. Example: Excuse me green sir, do you pyromaniacs wash three tasty windowsills? It's grammatical, it has a meaning, but I bet you've never heard it. I don't think your example is grammatical though. I guess you should use the plural "pieces", and then I'm not sure if t-shirt should be plural or not. How many pieces of t-shirt... How many pieces of t-shirts... Hmm, maybe only the first structure is common. Pieces of potato... Pieces of potatoes... hmm. Anyway, even if it is...http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPluralPronouns/lkxql/post.htm#972592Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:25:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972592avangiThe Class took their examinations in two separ a te rooms. The Class took its examinations in two separ a te rooms. There's nothing wrong grammatically with either version, but in terms of communication, the plural "examinations" makes your task more difficult. Perhaps there were two consecutive sittings, and the class was not actually divided. Several interpretations are possible. It could be a single exam with multiple parts, and you want to express that each member of the class has one. If you're the author, and you wish to make yourself clear, you might find a better way to put it. (Hopefully, it's just something you read, which raised your curiosity.)http://www.englishforums.com/English/Plurals/lkpmz/post.htm#972467Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:11:36 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972467califjimWhat is the difference between regular plurals and irregular plurals ? Regular plurals are formed from the singular by a set of rules about adding s or es . Irregular plurals are those that are formed differently. Regular: boy -- boy s Irregular: child -- child ren girls, girl's, and girls' are all pronounced the same. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Pronunciation/lkxxk/post.htm#972401Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:46:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972401gleb_chebrikoffYou cannot form irregular plurals by standard means, ie, adding -(e)s ending (one example is children ). 'Girls' is a regular plural formed by standard means. In the genitive case, it is both pronounced and written without the -s suffix: Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/HolidayHolidaysStuff/lkpwq/post.htm#972362Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:10:19 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972362cliveHi, Although I know the lexical difference between holiday and holidays I usually get confused when it comes to forming the appropriate grammatical form in sentences like: This is/are the best holiday OR This/They is/are the best holidays Can somebody clear this up? Just treat them as normal singular or plural words. ie This is the best holiday OR They are the best holidays Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Pronunciation/lkxxk/post.htm#972215Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:03:41 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972215gleb_chebrikoffDear friend, else's - Charles' - - even though there is not -'s in writing, it is generally pronounced. boys' - - the suffix is neither written nor pronounced with regular plurals (unlike irregular ones, cf children's - ) Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPluralPronouns/lkxql/post.htm#972214Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:54:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972214gleb_chebrikoffDear friend, both a correct, but the first option is generally more common among British English speakers. The choice of the pronoun largely depends on your intention: if you wish to speak of a class as a number of individuals, you should resort to a plural pronoun, but if you want to mention a class as a single unit as such, your choice is a singular pronoun. The same applies to some other collective nouns: The committee hasn't reached a decision yet. - Implication: a single unit as part of parliament, etc. The committee haven't reached a decision yet. = The members of the committee... Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPluralPronouns/lkxql/post.htmSun, 15 Nov 2009 13:30:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:972190cute572The Class took their examinations in two separete rooms. Or The Class took its examinations in two separete rooms. Which one is correct? In my opinion first one seemed to be correct. But then read somewhere that class is a collective noun and should be treated as one unit so we use singular pronoun. Do clear this point and tell me the right pronoun to be used. Thanks!http://www.englishforums.com/English/EnglishGrammar/lkmnx/post.htm#971593Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:12:31 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:971593gleb_chebrikoffDear friend, the only possible combination is you were , regardless of either singular or plural reference. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Which/lkkbc/post.htm#970833Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:57:30 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970833avangiI know what airlines it is already. To me, the use of the plural ("airlines") would be a completely unnatural way to refer to a single airline and/or a single flight. Mightn't it also be ungrammatical? (Perhaps even in response to the question, "What airlines fly nonstop to Paris?") But then, it's so difficult to correctly frame the question, "Do you know which airlines it is that fly nonstop to Paris?" I suppose we'd have to allow it. (Can this be the dummy "it"?) It does sound natural. - A.http://www.englishforums.com/English/Which/lkkbc/post.htm#970798Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:00:28 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970798yankeeHi Pleasehelp I know which airline it is already. This is OK. You could also use "what" instead of "which". I know what airlines it is already. To me, the use of the plural ("airlines") would be a completely unnatural way to refer to a single airline and/or a single flight.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralInanimateObjectsWhose/lkwch/post.htm#970313Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:15:16 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970313billjHi badgrammar Strictly, possession with non-human nouns is correctly indicated by of which. However, whose is so much simpler that it is often acceptable to use it in place of of which. This is a matter of personal judgement, but many of us would feel happier applying it to an animal or something which can be treated personally (a ship or a car, for instance) than to something more solidly inanimate, like a shoe or a kitchen. So, technically, your second example is the correct one (so far as the pronoun is concerned), but only the most pedantic of people would dispute the first one, so go ahead and use it. BUT , I'm afraid that you have made a grammatical error: the verb should be singular, not...http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralInanimateObjectsWhose/lkwch/post.htm#970296Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:53:48 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970296mister micawberThey are very odd statements, hence the grammar also appears odd. Any native would say ' Green cars '.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralInanimateObjectsWhose/lkwch/post.htm#970232Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:27:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970232cool breezeWelcome to EF, badgrammar! I hope you'll soon be able to change your screen name to Good Grammar. It is correct to use the possessive form whose as a relative pronoun whenever a possessive form is needed: This house, whose windows are shut, is for sale. Or: This house, the windows of which are shut, is for sale. These houses, whose windows are shut, are for sale. Or: These houses, the windows of which are shut, are for sale. This man, whose car is parked in the street, wants to sell it. Using whose to refer to inanimate objects is not at all common in speech. It is mostly used in formal written English. (I'm sorry I couldn't come up with more natural examples of whose . ) CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralInanimateObjectsWhose/lkwch/post.htm#970217Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:12:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970217badgrammaris it ok to write "cars , whose colors are green" or "cars of which the color are green"http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPlural/lkhmm/post.htm#970116Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:34:38 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970116gleb_chebrikoffHello, Pleasehelp, Does the sentence above mean what I think it means? - correct Or Does the sentence above means what I think it means? - incorrect By the way, it is not a question of plurality. If your original sentence, namely, The sentence above means what I think it means , does not contain any auxiliary verb, you form an interrogative sentence with the help of do/does ( does for the third personal singular, as in your case), and the main verb is not inflected. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoffhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularOrPlural/lkhmm/post.htmFri, 13 Nov 2009 08:04:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970100pleasehelpDoes the sentence above mean what I think it means? Or Does the sentence above means what I think it means?http://www.englishforums.com/English/ContentSOrContextS/lkhcc/post.htm#970083Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:52:06 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:970083mister micawberThere is no way of judging which is more appropriate; there is no context for your sentences. However, since the verb in #2 is 'are', you must use a plural form: 'contents' or 'contexts'.http://www.englishforums.com/English/HisHerOrTheir/lkdhq/post.htm#969838Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:15:57 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:969838billjHi uktous I would probably say: I needed to write a report for each student according to their (i.e. his or her) level of understanding'. The trouble with this kind of contrived 'gender-neutral' sentence is that questions such as yours are virtually impossible to answer. For example, does 'level' refer to the understanding(s) of their (plural) or each student (singular)? And, on how many subjects are the students being reported? 'Level' is OK if you are referring to the level of understanding by each student in just one subject, which I think is the case here. But if each student was being assessed on several subjects, then 'level's would be better. Hope that...