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Stenka25 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
The number problem with "all"
In the below sentences one sentence is with plural verb with 'all' plus relative clause, the other with singular verb with the same structure.
What is the rule that determines the difference between two sentences.
It just seems that the 'complement' of the sentence determines the number of the verb, that is, the number of the former is determined by "the thoughts" and the latter by "a place."
Am I right?
? All that kept me from suicide were the thoughts that my sister would be deeply grieved, and that I did not have enough money to pay my funeral expenses.
? All I want is a place to sit down.
What is the rule that determines the difference between two sentences.
It just seems that the 'complement' of the sentence determines the number of the verb, that is, the number of the former is determined by "the thoughts" and the latter by "a place."
Am I right?
? All that kept me from suicide were the thoughts that my sister would be deeply grieved, and that I did not have enough money to pay my funeral expenses.
? All I want is a place to sit down.
Top answer
All can be either singular or plural, depending on its meaning. It's plural in the first sentence, singular in the second. The Linguist
- All can be either singular or plural, depending on its meaning.
- It's plural in the first sentence, singular in the second.
- The Linguist
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2 Answers
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All can be either singular or plural, depending on its meaning.
It's plural in the first sentence, singular in the second.
The Linguist
It's plural in the first sentence, singular in the second.
The Linguist
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Stenka25It just seems that the 'complement' of the sentence determines the number of the verb, that is, the number of the former is determined by "the thoughts" and the latter by "a place."Yes.
Am I right?
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