0
Tanit Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

combination of attributes

0 Hi,02br
02br
01span01i00X is the minimal combination of attributes which discerns element A from element B02i00.02span02br
02br
00The subject of "01i00discerns02i00" is "01i00combination02i00," so I'd say the singular is fine. However, I'm non sure whether the reader (the article is meant to address educated readers and specialists) will be misled by "01i00attributes02i00" and will think it's a typo or a mistake. 02br
02br
00Any ideas or suggestions? 02br
00Many thanks! 050010id1
  

Top answer

0I'd use "separate/distinguish" not "discerns" (which normally implies a human observer). 02br 00I'd use the plural, because each and every one of them is used for separating between the elements, thus you can't quite take them as a group and use the singular. 0-

— Marius Hancu

  • 0I'd use "separate/distinguish" not "discerns" (which normally implies a human observer).
  • 02br 00I'd use the plural, because each and every one of them is used for separating between the elements, thus you can't quite take them as a group and use the singular.
  • 0-
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

5 Answers
0
0I'd use "separate/distinguish" not "discerns" (which normally implies a human observer). 02br
00I'd use the plural, because each and every one of them is used for separating between the elements, thus you can't quite take them as a group and use the singular. 0-
0
0
1blockquote
01cite10Marius Hancu12cite10I'duse the plural, because each and every one of them is used forseparating between the elements, thus you can't quite take them as agroup and use the singular. 12br
12blockquote
10Thanks, Marius, but that's exactly how the methodology we are using works. What discerns two elements is the
0
0
0OK, if the 01b00combination02b00 is critical, is taken as a group, use the singular. 02br
00Pls mind that 01i00discern02i00 is mainly related to processes performed by the eye or mentally, thus by a human observer. 02br
00But you know what is used in that field, so stay with that. 0-
0
0
0 Hi,02br
00if it refers to "combination", use the singular. If it refers to "attributes", use the plural. You are not going to confuse anyone if you use the verbs the right way, provided the rest of the context is comprehensible of course, LOL. If you said 01i00"...the combination of attributes which are used to discern..."02i00I personally would understand it
0
0
0 Thank you both, K. and Marius, for your input.02br
02br
00Of course, I know that "01i00combination02i00" needs a singular verb, and "01i00attributes02i00" a plural one. 05002br
00I started having trouble with that sentence when I first read it out; that's probably because "01i00attributes02i00
0

Related Questions