Re: 'I'm one of those kids who think/thinks?

Tanit — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 20:57:15 GMT

Maple wrote:
There are bugs in English grammar systems while handing number problems, as I observed, but as for this very sentence, I vote for know.

Hi,

I'd personally say I'm one of those kids who think, too.

I only wanted to say that, if native speakers and writers choose to use both and "the use of the singular verb in these constructions is common, even among the best writers" (quoting the American Heritage), maybe we (ESL learners) shouldn't decide what is right or wrong

Re: pile of ash / ashes

Yoong Liat — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:18:54 GMT

Believer wrote:

Hi, Yoong Liat

I was looking at my Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary for the word 'ash' and it had a notation among other notations something like this. Can you tell me if that tells anything about its countability. I am confused about the "also N in pl" part. What does that mean?

I'm quoting from the same dictionary.

Ash (uncountable noun) is (singular verb) the grey or black powdery substance that is left after something is burnt. You can also refer to it as ashes. (plural noun)

He brushes the cigarette ash (uncountable noun) from his sleeves.

A dead man's ashes (plural noun) are (plural verb) their remains after their body has been burnt.

So whether the word is uncountable or plural depends on which word you use: 'ash' (uncountable), 'ashes' (plural).

I hope you are no longer confused.

Best regards

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Re: 'I'm one of those kids who think/thinks?

Re: pile of ash / ashes