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Postmodernbliss Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Plural subject-object agreement
Hello,
Many kind thanks in advance for someone who can definitively explain to me what is the rule, if there is one, for plural subjects and their object(s). For example, are the following sentences correct or incorrect:
In order for HR professionals to not be shown the door at their companies, they need to find ways to make themselves invaluable to their employers.
Parents need to give their child/ren a lot of love and attention.
Most women have eating disorders/ an eating disorder.
I have truly struggled with trying figure out if this aforementioned issue of plural subject-object agreement is best dealt with on a case by case basis (i.e. does the sentence make sense), or is there a strict rule that applies? I am tired of simply trying to re-write my way around this conflict.
Best regards.
Many kind thanks in advance for someone who can definitively explain to me what is the rule, if there is one, for plural subjects and their object(s). For example, are the following sentences correct or incorrect:
In order for HR professionals to not be shown the door at their companies, they need to find ways to make themselves invaluable to their employers.
Parents need to give their child/ren a lot of love and attention.
Most women have eating disorders/ an eating disorder.
I have truly struggled with trying figure out if this aforementioned issue of plural subject-object agreement is best dealt with on a case by case basis (i.e. does the sentence make sense), or is there a strict rule that applies? I am tired of simply trying to re-write my way around this conflict.
Best regards.
Top answer
postmodernbliss is there a strict rule that applies? Unfortunately, no. postmodernbliss best dealt with on a case by case basis Yes.
- postmodernbliss is there a strict rule that applies?
- Unfortunately, no.
- postmodernbliss best dealt with on a case by case basis Yes.
- This is generally how it's done.
- I'm just guessing, but it seems to me that plurals would go with plurals -- or at least you should test that combination first.
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1 Answers
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postmodernbliss is there a strict rule that applies?Unfortunately, no.
postmodernblissbest dealt with on a case by case basisYes. This is generally how it's done. I'm just guessing, but it seems to me that plurals would go with plurals -- or at least you should test that combination first.
CJ
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