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Stunz Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Answer to multiple-choice question.

Here is a question from a test that I guess was constructed by a non-native speaker:

--What do you know about the world's population?
--I know China and India are the countries___ more than one billion.


A.with a population of B. with populations C. that have populations of D. which has a population of

No doubt C will be marked correct, but isn't A also acceptable? In other words, is the sentence below grammatically ok?

I know China and India are the countries with a population of more than one billion.

To insist that it has to be "populations" seems pedantic to me.
  

Top answer

Hi, Yes, A and C are both OK. Best wishes, Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, Yes, A and C are both OK.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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3 Answers
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Hi,

Yes, A and C are both OK.

Best wishes, Clive
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StunzI know China and India are the countries with a population of more than one billion.

To insist that it has to be "populations" seems pedantic to me.
Perhaps pedantic, but the version above may lead some to logically lump China and India in one entity (perhaps just for a short flash). Just barely, but IMO enoug
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StunzHere is a question from a test that I guess was constructed by a non-native speaker:

--What do you know about the world's population?
--I know China and India are the countries___ more than one billion.


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