does and do

Question

Good morning, everybody! I hope you are all well...

Could some please check that I've used 'does' and 'do' correctly?

Thanks

(A) What benefits does this theory have?

(B) What benefits do these theories have?

(C) What elements does rational choice have? (One theory)

(D) What elements do rational choice and incementalism have (Two theories)

...on a slightly different take...

(E) What hopes HAS Bob for the future?

Loojka · Accepted Answer

AnonymousGood morning, everybody! I hope you are all well...

Could some please check that I've used 'does' and 'do' correctly?

Thanks

(A) What benefits does this theory have? - OK

(B) What benefits do these theories have? - OK

(C) What elements does rational choice have? (One theory) - OK

(D) What elements do rational choice and incementalism have (Two theories) - OK

...on a slightly different take...

(E) What hopes HAS Bob for the future? - I'd say "What hopes does Bob have...?" or maybe "What hopes has Bob got...?"

SimpleHearted · Answer

Loojka
AnonymousGood morning, everybody! I hope you are all well...

Could some please check that I've used 'does' and 'do' correctly?

Thanks

(A) What benefits does this theory have? - OK

(B) What benefits do these theories have? - OK

(C) What elements does rational choice have? (One theory) - OK

(D) What elements do rational choice and incementalism have (Two theories) - OK

...on a slightly different take...

(E) What hopes HAS Bob for the future? - I'd say "What hopes does Bob have...?" or maybe "What hopes has Bob got...?"

If you allow me, the most respected loojka, I feel the urge to add a comment or two on this one. [a]

The sentences (A) and (B), although grammatically correct, are completely meaningless, because I really can't imagine any theories which would have benefits. So, IMHO, these should be rephrased as follows:

(A) What benefits does this theory provide? - OK

(B) What benefits do these theories provide? - OK

Similarly:

(C) What elements does the rational choice consist of? - OK NOTE (for loojka's reference only): The definite article is required here, because there could be lots and lots of rational choices out there, and I somehow presume that our Anonymous author had some specific rational choices in mind.

(D) What elements do the rational choice theory and incementalism consist of? - OK

Fortunately, we both agree on the last one:

(E) What hopes does Bob have for the future? - Definitely OK

Loojka · Answer

SimpleHeartedThe sentences (A) and (B), although grammatically correct, are completely meaningless, because I really can't imagine any theories which would have benefits.

Let me remind you, the question was:

Could some please check that I've used 'does' and 'do' correctly?

SimpleHearted · Answer

LoojkaLet me remind you, the question was:

Could some please check that I've used 'does' and 'do' correctly?

Yeah, but don't you think it's kind of one of the famous Murphy's Laws (paraphrased):
"An expert is a person who avoids small and irrelevant obstacles, while rushing in a big mistake!"

or:
If someone asks food from you, better teach him/her how to fish!

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for your replies.

Rational choice, in this context, is a political theory. There is only one of them.

For further info about this theory, look up Mancur Olson.

[<:o)]

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