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Joe2012 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Regarding the use of plural

Sentence: "The/That era has gone when people use to attend political rallies/rally"

My question: Should the word rally be in the form of plural in the sentence ? And can I use the word "that" instead of the word the ? Will that make a difference ?

Thanks
  

Top answer

It should be: " The/That era has gone when people used to attend political rallies. " "The" and "That" are both possible. There is hardly any difference in meaning.

— Mr Wordy

  • It should be: " The/That era has gone when people used to attend political rallies.
  • " "The" and "That" are both possible.
  • There is hardly any difference in meaning.
  • "That" feels slightly more emphatic and "distancing".
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5 Answers
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It should be:

"The/That era has gone when people used to attend political rallies."

"The" and "That" are both possible. There is hardly any difference in meaning. "That" feels slightly more emphatic and "distancing".
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There should be no difference between the/that, however this/that has a location/distance meaning, it also relates to something that has been said previously, whereas "the" (determiner) is always another option.
As for rallies/rally, try and substitute the word. If you choose meetings/events/gatherings...., then you have your answer.[Y]

Hope I got it right!

_Manu
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Emanuel Guerrahowever this/that has a location/distance meaning, it also relates to something that has been said previously
Yes, that's a good point actually -- one that I overlooked. "That" may be more suitable when referring back to a previously mentioned era. Because of the nature of thes sentence, I think I was assuming it was the first mention of the era.
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Thanks Emmanuel for your good points. Actually I wanted to refer to foregone era. That is why I asked that question. I however used the word that before you told this points. Because it was "looking" more appropriate to me in that sentence. After knowing you points I think I can use these word more discerningly in the future. Thanks one again for that.
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