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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
a lack of rain / lacks of rain
I'd appreciate it if someone would answer my question about the following sentences. Thanks in advance.
A: The Ethiopian people had lacks of rain that year. The UN sent relief supplies and rescued more than a million people.
B: The Ethiopian people had a lack of rain repeatedly that year. The UN sent relief supplies and rescued more than a million people.
Are A and B the same in meaning? If not, what's the difference?
A: The Ethiopian people had lacks of rain that year. The UN sent relief supplies and rescued more than a million people.
B: The Ethiopian people had a lack of rain repeatedly that year. The UN sent relief supplies and rescued more than a million people.
Are A and B the same in meaning? If not, what's the difference?
Top answer
I've never seen "lacks" in that context before! The second is correct. "Lacks" would be used for a 3rd person, singular noun.
- I've never seen "lacks" in that context before!
- The second is correct.
- "Lacks" would be used for a 3rd person, singular noun.
- " The statement is referring to one condition that has gone on for a year.
- One, big, lack.
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7 Answers
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I've never seen "lacks" in that context before!
The second is correct. "Lacks" would be used for a 3rd person, singular noun. "He lacks food; she lacks water." You want lack with a plural subject, "people."
Also, another qualification is "that year." The statement is referring to one condition that has gone on for a year. One, big, lack.
The second is correct. "Lacks" would be used for a 3rd person, singular noun. "He lacks food; she lacks water." You want lack with a plural subject, "people."
Also, another qualification is "that year." The statement is referring to one condition that has gone on for a year. One, big, lack.
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Thank you BenAldridge0. You said, "I've never seen "lacks" in that context before!" Then could you make, if possible, a sentence using "lacks of---" (of course lacks are nouns) in whatever context?
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It was my initial impression. Perhaps there are exceptions, but I cannot think of any off the top of my head.
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BenAldridge0"Lacks" would be used for a 3rd person, singularTyponounverb.
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Thank you JulianStuart.
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"Of these days" is already specific, so the use of "the" is optional.
Do you mean "the" is necessary in principle, but it's OK even if there isn't?
Does that apply to "of today"?
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"Of these days" is already specific, so the use of "the" is optional.
Do you mean "the" is necessary in principle, but it's OK even if there isn't?
Does that apply to "of today"?
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Sorry I mixed your reply with someone else's. Thank you for your kind answer.
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