plural/ singular

Question

1. A typewriter has been falling to the wayside since a computer was invented.
2. Typewriters have been falling to the wayside since a computer was invented.
3. A typewriter has been falling to the wayside since computers were invented.
4. Typewriters has been falling to the wayside since computer were invented.

Q) Is it better to accord singular form to a singular form and not the mix of a singular and a plural form? like #2 and 3?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

moon72961. A typewriter has been falling by the wayside since a computer was invented.

We're inclined to ask "Which typewriter? The one that you use?" Likewise for 'a computer'. In other words, this is not a generic statement, which is, I think, what you are aiming for.

moon72962. Typewriters have been falling by the wayside since a computer was invented.

This is again faulty because of a computer.

moon72963. A typewriter has been falling by the wayside since computers were invented.

Again, "Which typewriter?"

moon72964. Typewriters has been falling by the wayside since computer were invented.

Both clauses have faulty agreement. Typewriters have, not Typewriters has. computers were, not computer were.
______________

Let's cut to the chase. The correct form is:

Typewriters have been falling by the wayside since computers were invented.

For a generic statement, the only other choice you have is this:

The typewriter has been falling by the wayside since the computer was invented.

You can, optionally, interchange the since-clause from one sentence to the other.
_____________

Most generic statements are in the plural.

CJ

plural/ singular

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