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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

checking a first and second bag

0 For itineraries that include international flights (except Canada), 01b00checking a first and second bag02b00 will continue to be free, United said. The cost to check more than two bags or items that are overweight or require special handling varies by destination.02br
02br
00Please help me understand why 'bag' is not plural.02br
00Thanks, 0-
  

Top answer

02br 00Ten bags were checked in. Only the second bag checked in was opened by Security 0-

— Optilang

  • 02br 00Ten bags were checked in.
  • Only the second bag checked in was opened by Security 0-
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7 Answers
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0 the/a first bag02br
00the/a second bag02br
00each one is a bag in its own right.02br
00Ten bags were checked in. Only the second bag checked in was opened by Security 0-
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0 Sorry, Optilang. I still don't get it.02br
00a first and second means there are two bags. To me, it's the same as saying a first(bag) and a second (bag), therefore, two bags in total. 0-
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0 Yes02br
01b00a02b00 first (bag) and 01b00a 02b00second (bag) 02br
00So only 1 first bag and only 1 second bag = 2 bags in total. BUT each bag is only ONE 02br
00I chose an orange, then I chose a second and third orange. The first orange was ripe, the second orange was bitter, and the third orange was sweet. Total = 3
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0 "So only 1 first bag and only 1 second bag = 2 bags in total. 01b00BUT each bag is only ONE "02b02br
02br
00Myunderstanding of AND is not each but BOTH. I would correct the bolded words as "01b00BOTH bags ARE two"02br
02br
00Another example 02br
00I bought an orange bag and a red bag. THEY (not IT) are spacious.
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0 01blockquote
01cite10New2grammar12cite10a first and second bag12blockquote
10 a first (bag) and (a) second bag. You can't have 01i00a02i00 with a plural so 01i00a ... bag01b00s02b02i00 is out of the question.02br
00CJ 0-
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0Good point, CJ. But what does it mean? Below are some similar constructions that I'm familiar with02br
02br
00a point02br
00a first point02br
00a second point02br
00the point02br
00the first point02br
00the second point02br
00The first and second pointS02br
02br
00I've never heard of
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0
0How about:02br
00I bought a shirt yesterday morning, and I bought a second shirt in the afternoon. 0-
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