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Jeff_999 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Multiple Choices
Today---- of the Earth live on a very small percentage of the Earth's land surface.
A, about two-thirds populated
B, the population is about two-thirds
C, about two-thirds of the population
D, of about two-thirds the population is
We all know that the answer is C. But what I wanna ask here is the word 'two-thrids'.
Before answering that question, I thought 'two-thirds' was wrong, not a word exactly. I mean, we can say two hours or two-hour, but we absolutely cannot say 'two-hours', right? So, I thought two-thirds was wrong too. hehe.
So, I want to know why it works.
And two-thirds seems to be used as a noun here which represents 'the population'. Can we use it as an adj to modify 'population too', say, two-thirds population?
A, about two-thirds populated
B, the population is about two-thirds
C, about two-thirds of the population
D, of about two-thirds the population is
We all know that the answer is C. But what I wanna ask here is the word 'two-thrids'.
Before answering that question, I thought 'two-thirds' was wrong, not a word exactly. I mean, we can say two hours or two-hour, but we absolutely cannot say 'two-hours', right? So, I thought two-thirds was wrong too. hehe.
So, I want to know why it works.
And two-thirds seems to be used as a noun here which represents 'the population'. Can we use it as an adj to modify 'population too', say, two-thirds population?
Top answer
It is a fraction. ) or at least unnecessary (I suppose it is a remnant of the slash in '2/3' in the mind of the writer) Better would be 'about two thirds of the population'. As an adjective, it should hyphenated-- 'a two-thirds majority of the Senate is required', 'a three-quarter length dress'; it is rare in this usage, though.
- It is a fraction.
- ) or at least unnecessary (I suppose it is a remnant of the slash in '2/3' in the mind of the writer) Better would be 'about two thirds of the population'.
- As an adjective, it should hyphenated-- 'a two-thirds majority of the Senate is required', 'a three-quarter length dress'; it is rare in this usage, though.
- It doesn't work for X 'two-thirds population'-- with fractions less than 1, we usually use 'of a + singular noun' (vide Swan ), hence 'thirds' remains a noun.
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6 Answers
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It is a fraction. The hyphen is incorrect (?) or at least unnecessary (I suppose it is a remnant of the slash in '2/3' in the mind of the writer) Better would be 'about two thirds of the population'.
As an adjective, it should hyphenated-- 'a two-thirds majority of the Senate is required', 'a three-quarter length dress'; it is rare in this usage, though.
It doesn't work for
As an adjective, it should hyphenated-- 'a two-thirds majority of the Senate is required', 'a three-quarter length dress'; it is rare in this usage, though.
It doesn't work for
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It doesn't work for X'two-thirds population'-- with fractions less than 1, we usually use 'of a + singular noun' (vide Swan), hence 'thirds' remains a noun.
I am not sure if I get this one.
So, because two-thirds is less than 1, 'two-thrids population' is wrong? I have no clue, why?
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'With fractions less than 1, we usually use 'of a + singular noun' (vide Practical English Usage by Michael Swan)'
Usage, Jeff; I have no other explanation to offer. Perhaps another mod will pop by with a bright idea.
Usage, Jeff; I have no other explanation to offer. Perhaps another mod will pop by with a bright idea.
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I see Mr Micawber.
So, we can say one and two-thirds + noun (p), but we absolutely cannot say two-thirds + noun. We have to say two-thirds of a + noun (s), since two-thirds is less than 1, right?
Another one I am confused about is 'hyphen'.
It seems two-thirdS is correct, what about two-hours or two-years or two thirds?
Can you tell me how many ways to express a fr
So, we can say one and two-thirds + noun (p), but we absolutely cannot say two-thirds + noun. We have to say two-thirds of a + noun (s), since two-thirds is less than 1, right?
Another one I am confused about is 'hyphen'.
It seems two-thirdS is correct, what about two-hours or two-years or two thirds?
Can you tell me how many ways to express a fr
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'Absolutely cannot' is an unusual phrase in discussing English grammar. Let me say that I 'ate one and two-thirds apples and three-fifths of an apricot', and that would be reasonably acceptable.
As I said, the hyphen is unnecessary if not wrong, but is in popular use for fractions (which does not include 'two hours' or 'two years'). I would suggest that the hyphen be used for adjective
As I said, the hyphen is unnecessary if not wrong, but is in popular use for fractions (which does not include 'two hours' or 'two years'). I would suggest that the hyphen be used for adjective
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