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SuperESL Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Plural

What subtle differences are there - if any - between:

"very wealthy men with monarchical mentalities"

and

"very wealthy men with a monarchical mentality" ?

Is there a reason why one should be preferred to the other?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

They're both correct. If you think their individual mentalities are rare, disparate, and unorganized, you might use the plural form to emphasize it. A scant few wealthy Frenchmen had monarchical mentalities by the turn of the 20th century.

— Anonymous

  • They're both correct.
  • If you think their individual mentalities are rare, disparate, and unorganized, you might use the plural form to emphasize it.
  • A scant few wealthy Frenchmen had monarchical mentalities by the turn of the 20th century.
  • If you think their individual mentalities are common, organized and harmonious, you might use the singular form to emphasize it.
  • Most Britons still have a monarchical mentality and approve of the marginal role that the Queen plays.
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2 Answers
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They're both correct.

If you think their individual mentalities are rare, disparate, and unorganized, you might use the plural form to emphasize it.
A scant few wealthy Frenchmen had monarchical mentalities by the turn of the 20th century.

If you think their individual mentalities are common, organized and harmonious, you might use the singular form to emphasize it.
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This is a terrific explanation. Thank you!
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