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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
terrorists
A team of soldiers were on a mission to capture or kill Al-Qaeda members in a remote village in Afghanistan. It was really dark in that area and they had to put on night vision goggles when they went into a suspected hideout. What they didn't know was the insurgents were waiting inside to ambush them. When the team had entered the house through a narrow corridor, the terrorists came out and opened fire from behind a fortified bunker.
Are there any mistakes?
Thanks.
Are there any mistakes?
Thanks.
Top answer
None, but to be hypercritical, I would like to say: "A team (being a collective noun) of soldiers" is sometimes followed by a singular verb which is not so suitable for your case. In a "fortified bunker", 'fortified' is tautologous since 'bunker' has in its meaning the element of fortification, but I have no objection to its use here because like the term free gifts (another tautology), I have seen such term being used frequently.
- None, but to be hypercritical, I would like to say: "A team (being a collective noun) of soldiers" is sometimes followed by a singular verb which is not so suitable for your case.
- In a "fortified bunker", 'fortified' is tautologous since 'bunker' has in its meaning the element of fortification, but I have no objection to its use here because like the term free gifts (another tautology), I have seen such term being used frequently.
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6 Answers
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None, but to be hypercritical, I would like to say:
"A team (being a collective noun) of soldiers" is sometimes followed by a singular verb which is not so suitable for your case.
In a "fortified bunker", 'fortified' is tautologous since 'bunker' has in its meaning the element of fortification, but I have no objection to its use here because like the term free gifts (another tau
"A team (being a collective noun) of soldiers" is sometimes followed by a singular verb which is not so suitable for your case.
In a "fortified bunker", 'fortified' is tautologous since 'bunker' has in its meaning the element of fortification, but I have no objection to its use here because like the term free gifts (another tau
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New2grammarA team of soldiers were on a mission to capture or kill Al-Qaeda members in a remote village in Afghanistan. It was really dark in that area and they had to put on night vision goggles when they went into a suspected hideout. What they didn't know was the insurgents were waiting inside to ambush them. When the team had entered the house through a n
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That's really interesting. Do you know what an American would say? Would they make the tenses consistent like British do?
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Hi New2grammar
I think the Americans would use 'was' despite the presence of 'they'.
In fact, in BrE some grammarians prescribe 'was'. However, the majority say that it should be 'were' to be consistent with the plural pronouns.
A team of soldiers was on a mission to capture or kill Al-Qaeda members in a remote village in Afghanistan. It was really dark in that
I think the Americans would use 'was' despite the presence of 'they'.
In fact, in BrE some grammarians prescribe 'was'. However, the majority say that it should be 'were' to be consistent with the plural pronouns.
A team of soldiers was on a mission to capture or kill Al-Qaeda members in a remote village in Afghanistan. It was really dark in that
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