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Zj.frank Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
The "both ... and ... " structure
Hi:
I have a question about the "both ... and ..." structure. The sentences with possible mistakes are in italic fonts. The description of my question is in regular fonts.
Suppose there is a room with two doors, which we call the front and the rear door respectively. (Is this sentence correct? How about using doors instead of door?)
Which ones of the following three are correct / wrong?
I have a question about the "both ... and ..." structure. The sentences with possible mistakes are in italic fonts. The description of my question is in regular fonts.
Suppose there is a room with two doors, which we call the front and the rear door respectively. (Is this sentence correct? How about using doors instead of door?)
Which ones of the following three are correct / wrong?
- Both the front and the rear door is closed.
- Both the front and rear door is closed.
- Both the front and the rear doors are closed.
Top answer
Both the front and the rear door s are closed. Both the front and rear door s are closed. Both door s are closed.
- Both the front and the rear door s are closed.
- Both the front and rear door s are closed.
- Both door s are closed.
- Each door is closed.
- Every door is closed
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8 Answers
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Both the front and the rear doors are closed.
Both the front and rear doors are closed.
Both doors are closed.
Each door is closed.
Both the front and rear doors are closed.
Both doors are closed.
Each door is closed.
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Thanks a lot!
From your reply, I get an impression that both should be used in plural form in any possible cases. But I'm afraid this may not be agreed by everyone, at least not by Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor of the Telegraph. He wrote in the last paragraph in
From your reply, I get an impression that both should be used in plural form in any possible cases. But I'm afraid this may not be agreed by everyone, at least not by Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor of the Telegraph. He wrote in the last paragraph in
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As I see it, there was no reason for plural in the quotation you make:
As is standard practice in both the private and public sector
Is refers to standard practice and not to both the private and public sector, IMO. See the equivalent:
As the standard practice is in both the private and public sector
As is standard practice in both the private and public sector
Is refers to standard practice and not to both the private and public sector, IMO. See the equivalent:
As the standard practice is in both the private and public sector
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When two singular subjects are joined by and, the verb is normally plural.
Alice and Bob are going to be late.
Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
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When two subjects are joined by or, the
When two singular subjects are joined by and, the verb is normally plural.
Alice and Bob are going to be late.
Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
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When two subjects are joined by or, the
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Yes, I understand you point that is refers to standard practice. But why didn't the author use in both the private and public sectors here? The s here is what I concern the most.
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The author takes sector in
public sector
and
private sector
to be U (Uncountable), which some seem to be doing.
But as shown by the New York Times, this isn't really accepted by many:
--------
public sector
and
private sector
to be U (Uncountable), which some seem to be doing.
But as shown by the New York Times, this isn't really accepted by many:
--------
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Thank you very much for such a detailed response. It really solves my problem now. 
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If I 'm talking about my two cats I can say, "Both my black cat and my white cat eat fish". If I don't want to repeat "cat" I say, "Both my black and my white cat eat fish." I don't make "cat" plural.
On the other hand (I'm thinking as I write!), "the public and private sectors" doesn't sound bad. It could be something to do with repetition of the article: "Both the public and the priv
On the other hand (I'm thinking as I write!), "the public and private sectors" doesn't sound bad. It could be something to do with repetition of the article: "Both the public and the priv
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