Search results for 'tag:Singular verbs tag:Negatives' matching tags 'Singular verbs' and 'Negatives'

Re: either, have

Goodman — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:20:35 GMT

Anonymous wrote:
Interesting...

When used as a pronoun, either is normally singular and takes a singular verb: The two surgeons disagree with each other more than either does (not do) with the pathologist. But when either is followed by of and a plural noun, it is often used with a plural verb: Either of the parties have enough support to form a government. As frequent as this usage may be, it is widely regarded as incorrect. Ninety-two percent of the Usage Panel rejected it in an earlier survey.

I agree with you. I thought it should be singular when I first looked at it. This is why English is so crazy! Context is sometime the determining factor as to how similar contents in separate sentence would have different verb/word agreements. These are the examples:

_{Optimizing Programs over the Constructive Reals Abstract Introduction}

Then, when either x or y have too little accuracy. to be output as specified, we recalculate them both. at the next higher precision. We trade off spending ...
_{Political Debate - messages #201419 .18}

I do not think either you or I have sufficient information on which to judge what Blackwater did or did not do and whether or not their actions were correct ...

_________________________________________________________________________

Oh the flip side:

_{TheSabre.com - "The Corner" - General Discussion Message Board Message}

Subject: Either one has no business occuring in a residential neighborhood. **. Posted by: DoubleDown2 on Thu Oct 11 2007 2:19:06 PM. Message: ...
www.thesabre.com/message_board/general/2007/October/11/570461.php - 3 hours ago - Similar pages

_{Captain's Quarters}

Either one has to believe that Supreme Court justices have to be vetted for ideology or that the process should be non-political. ...

I think in the context of Journey's two songs, "either" was used in the context, not neither because of the "two songs" which resulted in (plural verb in negative)"haven't".

When more than one subject is specified in the "either" context, plural form of the verb is required.

Re: Tag questions with indefinit pronouns

Espeland — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:32:12 GMT

Clive wrote:
1. Questions with negative words like nobody or nothing use positive tags.
2. Although words like nobody and somebody use a singular verb ('was' in your example), a plural pronoun is commonly used to refer to them.

Thus, what we say as a tag is this. Nobody was expecting that, were they?

Thank you very much, Clive !
So I have to say in the same pattern Somebody is behind the door, aren't they ?, have I ?

Re: Tag questions with indefinit pronouns

Clive — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:16:46 GMT

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

I've got a question about tag questions.
A tag question is for ex. "You don't go home, do you ?" or "It is strange, isn't it ?"

How do you form a tag question if the subject is a pronoun like nobody or somebody ?
Nobody was expecting that, wasn't ______ ....? ...he ? it ?

First, a couple of comments.

1. Questions with negative words like nobody or nothing use positive tags.

2. Although words like nobody and somebody use a singular verb ('was' in your example), a plural pronoun is commonly used to refer to them.

Thus, what we say as a tag is this. Nobody was expecting that, were they?

Best wishes, Clive

Re: two questions on board

Clive — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:49:26 GMT

Hi,

1. Which one is right or are they both right?

Everything went smooth.

Everything went smoothly.

In your example, you need the adverbial form. 'Smoothly' modifies 'went', ie it describes the 'going', not 'everything'.

However, consider 'When I fell and hit my head, everything went black'. Here' 'black' is an adjective describing 'everything'. Everything became black.

2. When puttng the word "more" in front of uncountable nouns, is it always the case that the verbs have to be in singular? I always try to avoid saying 'always', but generally speaking, yes. However, it's not because of the use of 'more'. It's because such nouns require a singular verb.

More furniture means more money.OK

More equipment means more money.OK

How about the word "some" in front of uncountable nouns, is it the same case of having to put singular verbs? Same comment as above.

Some rice needs not be given. The use of ('need' + a negative) expresses a necessity or obligation. The form 'need' is used, not 'needs'. This is true for both uncountable and countable nouns, eg This chair need not be painted.

Some time is needed. OK

Best wishes, Clive