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Anil17 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Can someone validate two grammar questions and a quick comprehension passage
Can you please help?
My answers are in red font
Write down the correct form of the verb.
1 - (Is; are) any of your sisters married? Answer = Is
2- (Is; are) either of your brothers going to school? Answer = Is
Comprehension passage (adapted from Les Miserables - Victor Hugo)
One Christmas Eve, Cosette was sitting as usual, on the crossbar under the table, near the chimney. She looked so small and thin that no one would have thought she was six years old, in stead of eight.
How old was Cosette? (3 years; 6 years; 8 years; 10 years). I put down 8 years. (Am i I right?)
My answers are in red font
Write down the correct form of the verb.
1 - (Is; are) any of your sisters married? Answer = Is
2- (Is; are) either of your brothers going to school? Answer = Is
Comprehension passage (adapted from Les Miserables - Victor Hugo)
One Christmas Eve, Cosette was sitting as usual, on the crossbar under the table, near the chimney. She looked so small and thin that no one would have thought she was six years old, in stead of eight.
How old was Cosette? (3 years; 6 years; 8 years; 10 years). I put down 8 years. (Am i I right?)
Top answer
'any' is a tricky one when deciding whether to use a verb in the singular or plural. In your sentence (1), you are asking if one, or more, of her sisters are married. So - the speaker would use a plural verb: Are any of your sisters married?
- 'any' is a tricky one when deciding whether to use a verb in the singular or plural.
- In your sentence (1), you are asking if one, or more, of her sisters are married.
- So - the speaker would use a plural verb: Are any of your sisters married?
- But say you had a room full of expectant mothers, and someone says: Is any of the ladies here today not seeing a gynaecologist?
- Here, you are asking if even one woman in the room is not under a doctor's care, so use the singular verb.
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4 Answers
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'any' is a tricky one when deciding whether to use a verb in the singular or plural.
In your sentence (1), you are asking if one, or more, of her sisters are married. So - the speaker would use a plural verb:
Are any of your sisters married?
But say you had a room full of expectant mothers, and someone says:
Is any of the ladies here today not seeing a gynaecologist?
Here
In your sentence (1), you are asking if one, or more, of her sisters are married. So - the speaker would use a plural verb:
Are any of your sisters married?
But say you had a room full of expectant mothers, and someone says:
Is any of the ladies here today not seeing a gynaecologist?
Here
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Hello Anonymous poster.
There have been several good posts on several threads today, all from "anonymous." This is one.
Maybe they're all from you? It's impossible to tell.
At any rate, your answers are great.
Would you consider registering and becoming a member? New opinions and discussions are always welcome.
Kind regards,
John
There have been several good posts on several threads today, all from "anonymous." This is one.
Maybe they're all from you? It's impossible to tell.
At any rate, your answers are great.
Would you consider registering and becoming a member? New opinions and discussions are always welcome.
Kind regards,
John
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Actually, I am, but it's been quite a time since I was (I prefer 'in') in/on the forum...because it used to be so seldom used, despite such great potential. I'd forgotten my handle, and then in trying to register...
Well, I looked in today, and it's buzzin'. Glad to be back!
Terryxpress
Well, I looked in today, and it's buzzin'. Glad to be back!
Terryxpress
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