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TeacherJapan Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
singular or plural
I've always wondered whether I should use plural or singular forms in the following examples.
Talkative people disclose their real self (or selves?), their level (or levels) of knowledge, and their background (or backgrounds?)
Are there any rules I should follow?
Talkative people disclose their real self (or selves?), their level (or levels) of knowledge, and their background (or backgrounds?)
Are there any rules I should follow?
Top answer
teacherJapan Talkative people disclose 'people' is plural, so I'd use plurals all the way through the sentence. I don't know if that's a rule, but it's logical. CJ
- teacherJapan Talkative people disclose 'people' is plural, so I'd use plurals all the way through the sentence.
- I don't know if that's a rule, but it's logical.
- CJ
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5 Answers
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teacherJapanTalkative people disclose'people' is plural, so I'd use plurals all the way through the sentence.
I don't know if that's a rule, but it's logical.
CJ
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In many languages, the singular form is used, because each person has only one of each thing. We normally prefer to use the plutal in English - They took off their hats and coats, belew their noses and made themselves at home.
The three men got out of their car - Three men, one car.
The three men got out of their cars. - Three men, three cars (one car each).
The three men got out of their car - Three men, one car.
The three men got out of their cars. - Three men, three cars (one car each).
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Hi
I also like what you have there - the plural looks natural to me in that example
One factor that would be in the back of my mind - although people disagree about this - is that, if you use the singular, you are going to have to make a further decision about the gender of the possessive
The following looks old-fashioned because of the use of 'his'. Nowadays, many peop
I also like what you have there - the plural looks natural to me in that example
One factor that would be in the back of my mind - although people disagree about this - is that, if you use the singular, you are going to have to make a further decision about the gender of the possessive
The following looks old-fashioned because of the use of 'his'. Nowadays, many peop
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dave_anon A modern way would be to use the singular as an opening (if you feel that's best) but then not worry if you have to bring in the plural:- A talkative person discloses their real self, the level of their knowledge, and their backgroundIt's not that modern, though. According to a book on the history of the English language I had to read in my younger
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I see. I guess that it's better to keep all the nouns above plural on the safe side. Thank you very much for the tip.
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