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Supercat Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Generalization?
1 Enzymes are produced by living organisms
vs
2 An enzyme is produced by a living organism
In generalication, they are eventually the same, or not?
(I mean that if context makes you select either)
vs
2 An enzyme is produced by a living organism
In generalication, they are eventually the same, or not?
(I mean that if context makes you select either)
Top answer
In generalization, native speakers choose the plural. Such compositions as— An enzyme is produced by a living organism. A cow is a quadruped.
- In generalization, native speakers choose the plural.
- Such compositions as— An enzyme is produced by a living organism.
- A cow is a quadruped.
- —are primarily grammar exercises.
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7 Answers
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In generalization, native speakers choose the plural. Such compositions as—
An enzyme is produced by a living organism.
A cow is a quadruped.
—are primarily grammar exercises.
An enzyme is produced by a living organism.
A cow is a quadruped.
—are primarily grammar exercises.
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Hi MM!
My book says
The electroencephalograph is a machine for measuring brain waves.
An electroencephalograph is a machine for measuring brain waves.
Electroencephalographs are machines for measuring brain waves.
are all okay. But the writer says they are 'general truth'. So they are different to generalization and to the enzyme case?
My book says
The electroencephalograph is a machine for measuring brain waves.
An electroencephalograph is a machine for measuring brain waves.
Electroencephalographs are machines for measuring brain waves.
are all okay. But the writer says they are 'general truth'. So they are different to generalization and to the enzyme case?
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SupercatMy book saysThe electroencephalograph is a machine for measuring brain waves.An electroencephalograph is a machine for measuring brain waves.Electroencephalographs are machines for measuring brain waves.are all okay.Of course they are grammatically OK, but they are in a grammar book.
Supercat So they are different to generaliza
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Sorry I've found that later lol
I thought that in the enzyme case the topic ranges broadly and more all-general, but in the electroencephalograph case it's more pinpoint and narrow (electroencephalograph only). Further, the latter mentiones general truth.
Regarding the use of singular in the enzyme case, I feel 'by a living organism' (by one living organism) may not be different to wh
I thought that in the enzyme case the topic ranges broadly and more all-general, but in the electroencephalograph case it's more pinpoint and narrow (electroencephalograph only). Further, the latter mentiones general truth.
Regarding the use of singular in the enzyme case, I feel 'by a living organism' (by one living organism) may not be different to wh
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Excuse me,
I feel 'by a living organism' (by one living organism) maynot be different to what the context wants to convey.
I feel 'by a living organism' (by one living organism) may
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