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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Plural ordinals

Hello,

this is probably is simple question, but I´m a bit confused by the plurals. Which sentence is correct, and if both are ok, how do you interpret them?

The first and the second products...

The first and second products...

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

Both are correct, but the second sentence is the more usual way of saying it. "First" and "second" describe two different objects, so the verb is plural. If they described the same object, the verb would be singular.

— Doctor D

  • Both are correct, but the second sentence is the more usual way of saying it.
  • "First" and "second" describe two different objects, so the verb is plural.
  • If they described the same object, the verb would be singular.
  • For example: The green and the blue birds flew away.
  • (Two birds).
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2 Answers
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Both are correct, but the second sentence is the more usual way of saying it. "First" and "second" describe two different objects, so the verb is plural. If they described the same object, the verb would be singular. For example: The green and the blue birds flew away. (Two birds). The green and blue bird flew away. (one bird).

I am not sure what you mean by "interpret them
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Thanks for answering!

Well the senteces are actually a bit different, but I simplified them earlier:

1. The first and/or the second medium/media transfers energy.

2. The first and/or second medium/media transfers energy.

Background: The first and the second medium/media may be of the same or different kind.

Q1: I believe media is plural for m
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