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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

The

Do these two sound natural?

I think the greatest invention ever made by man would be the automobile.
I think the greatest invention ever made by man would be automobiles.
  

Top answer

"The automobile" is better. I don't know why.

— Enoon

  • "The automobile" is better.
  • I don't know why.
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7 Answers
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"The automobile" is better. I don't know why.
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TakaDo these two sound natural?
Yes, but the second one is less natural because it connects a singular (invention) with a plural (automobiles).

CJ
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CalifJim the second one is less natural because it connects a singular (invention) with a plural (automobiles).CJ
Is the connection of a singular with a plural that unnatural?
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In general, no, but an invention seems singular in a special way. To invent, it seems to me, is to cause to come to exist for the first time. Only one instance of the invention can be the first.

I'm not saying that it's unnatural with the plural -- just that it's less natural (and perhaps less accurate) than with the singular generic.

CJ
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CalifJimIn general, no, but an invention seems singular in a special way. To invent, it seems to me, is to cause to come to exist for the first time. Only one instance of the invention can be the first
Great explanation!
CalifJim.I'm not saying that it's unnatural with the plural -- just that it's less natural (and perhaps less accurate
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Taka ... for this particular example, the plural generic is less natural, compared to the singular generic. Is that what you mean, Jim?
Exactly.

CJ
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Good. At least the plural generic doesn't sound wrong.

Thanks, Jim!
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