0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Number: 9 belong vs. belongs to
A. There are 10 properties. 9 belong to John and 1 to Alex.
B. There are 10 properties. 9 belongs to John and 1 to Alex.
1. Which of the above is correct?
2. Should it be A with the plural verb "belong" because the 9 properties are taken individually?
3. Or should it be B with the singular verb "belongs" because 9 is taken as a quantity, the same as saying "9 is the number of properties that belong to John."?
4. By the way, is my underlined sentence in number 3 correct?
Please advise. Thank you.
B. There are 10 properties. 9 belongs to John and 1 to Alex.
1. Which of the above is correct?
2. Should it be A with the plural verb "belong" because the 9 properties are taken individually?
3. Or should it be B with the singular verb "belongs" because 9 is taken as a quantity, the same as saying "9 is the number of properties that belong to John."?
4. By the way, is my underlined sentence in number 3 correct?
Please advise. Thank you.
Top answer
A. There are 10 properties. 9 belong to John and 1 to Alex.
- A.
- There are 10 properties.
- 9 belong to John and 1 to Alex.
- Nine is more than one.
- It is plural, so the verb is plural.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
8 Answers
0
A. There are 10 properties. 9 belong to John and 1 to Alex.
Nine is more than one. It is plural, so the verb is plural.
However, in this sentence, The number of properties that John has is nine., the subject "number" is singular, There is only one number that represents the quantity, so it is singular.
Nine is more than one. It is plural, so the verb is plural.
However, in this sentence, The number of properties that John has is nine., the subject "number" is singular, There is only one number that represents the quantity, so it is singular.
00
Hi,
A.
The word 'properties' may not be correct here. What do you mean?
My watch and my car, for example, are normally referred to individually as 'items of property', or collectively as 'property'.
A.
The word 'properties' may not be correct here. What do you mean?
My watch and my car, for example, are normally referred to individually as 'items of property', or collectively as 'property'.
00
Hi,
As an aside, I would substitute the period in your first sentence for a colon.
There are 10 properties: 9 belong to John and 1 to Alex.
Your sentence is correct as it stands, though.
Regards
As an aside, I would substitute the period in your first sentence for a colon.
There are 10 properties: 9 belong to John and 1 to Alex.
Your sentence is correct as it stands, though.
Regards
00
Thank you, all, for your helpful responses.
Can I also say: Nine is the number of properties that John has.?
Watch, car, etc. are exactly what I meant. If "property" is taken collectively, should I say "There are 10 items of property: 9 belong to..."? or "There is (10) property: 9 belong to..."?
Can I also say: Nine is the number of properties that John has.?
Watch, car, etc. are exactly what I meant. If "property" is taken collectively, should I say "There are 10 items of property: 9 belong to..."? or "There is (10) property: 9 belong to..."?
00
Hi,
Say eg
There are 10 items of property.
There are 10 items.
There are 10 things.
Clive
Say eg
There are 10 items of property.
There are 10 items.
There are 10 things.
Clive
00
Thank you, Clive.
For collective nouns as a subject, should it follow a singular or plural verb? An example would be very much appreciated, please.
On the side, is it correct to say: "Nine is the number of properties that John has."?
For collective nouns as a subject, should it follow a singular or plural verb? An example would be very much appreciated, please.
On the side, is it correct to say: "Nine is the number of properties that John has."?
00
Hi,
For collective nouns as a subject, should it follow a singular or plural verb? An example would be very much appreciated, please. Singular. eg My property was stolen.
On the side, is it correct to say: "Nine is the number of properties that John has."?
Yes. But it's not a very natural thing to say. I'
For collective nouns as a subject, should it follow a singular or plural verb? An example would be very much appreciated, please. Singular. eg My property was stolen.
On the side, is it correct to say: "Nine is the number of properties that John has."?
Yes. But it's not a very natural thing to say. I'
00
I interpreted the word "property" to mean a house, business, or piece of land.
This kind of property is difficult to steal or carry around with you!
John has nine properties. He lives in one of them and the rest are rented out.
This kind of property is difficult to steal or carry around with you!
John has nine properties. He lives in one of them and the rest are rented out.
0
Related Questions