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Deepuji Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Please look at the following sentence
Differences over federalism marred Nepal's constitution.
a) In the above does 'differences' mean disagreement or disagreements?
b) Can I replace differences with difference above? If yes, then what change in the meaning will occur?
Please help me.
Thank you.
Differences over federalism marred Nepal's constitution.
a) In the above does 'differences' mean disagreement or disagreements?
b) Can I replace differences with difference above? If yes, then what change in the meaning will occur?
Please help me.
Thank you.
Top answer
From a language point of view (rather than political), I would say that ‘federalism’ would have more than one element upon which agreement would have to be made, in which case (a) “differences” would equal “disagreement” In other words, the disagreement about federalism was based on several differences. (b) If you replace the word “differences” with “difference” you would be stating that there was just one ‘difference of opinion’ between the authors of Nepal’s constitution. In other words, federalism is a simple yes or no decision with no pros and cons.
- From a language point of view (rather than political), I would say that ‘federalism’ would have more than one element upon which agreement would have to be made, in which case (a) “differences” would equal “disagreement” In other words, the disagreement about federalism was based on several differences.
- (b) If you replace the word “differences” with “difference” you would be stating that there was just one ‘difference of opinion’ between the authors of Nepal’s constitution.
- In other words, federalism is a simple yes or no decision with no pros and cons.
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2 Answers
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From a language point of view (rather than political), I would say that ‘federalism’ would have more than one element upon which agreement would have to be made, in which case
(a) “differences” would equal “disagreement”
In other words, the disagreement about federalism was based on several differences.
(b) If you replace the word “differences” with “difference” you would be stating th
(a) “differences” would equal “disagreement”
In other words, the disagreement about federalism was based on several differences.
(b) If you replace the word “differences” with “difference” you would be stating th
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deepujiDifferences over federalism marred Nepal's constitution.As far as I've ever seen, the standard wording is with the plural. The pattern is "differences over [some controversial issue]...". Using "difference" doesn't seem correct to my ear. It can mean disagreement (uncountable) in general or some specific number of disagreements (counta
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