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Jeff_999 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Thousands of kilometer
There's an error correction question like this,
'Seismic waves generated (by) an earthquake (or large) explosion (can be recorded) thousands of (kilometer) from their source.'
The answer they gave me is D: kilometer . I doubt it. And I opt for B: or large , because between 'or large', an 'a' is missed. So it should be 'or a large'.
I'd like to have your confirmation.
'Seismic waves generated (by) an earthquake (or large) explosion (can be recorded) thousands of (kilometer) from their source.'
The answer they gave me is D: kilometer . I doubt it. And I opt for B: or large , because between 'or large', an 'a' is missed. So it should be 'or a large'.
I'd like to have your confirmation.
Top answer
, the indefinite article) can serve as the article for more than one noun without any problem. an earthquake or explosion = an earthquake or an explosion an apple or pear = an apple or a pear On the other hand, expressions like "hundreds of", "thousands of", etc. all take a plural, so it has to be "thousands of kilometers".
- , the indefinite article) can serve as the article for more than one noun without any problem.
- an earthquake or explosion = an earthquake or an explosion an apple or pear = an apple or a pear On the other hand, expressions like "hundreds of", "thousands of", etc.
- all take a plural, so it has to be "thousands of kilometers".
- CJ
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3 Answers
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"a" or "an" (i.e., the indefinite article) can serve as the article for more than one noun without any problem.
an earthquake or explosion = an earthquake or an explosion
an apple or pear = an apple or a pear
On the other hand, expressions like "hundreds of", "thousands of", etc. all take a plural, so it has to be "thousands of kilometers".
CJ
an earthquake or explosion = an earthquake or an explosion
an apple or pear = an apple or a pear
On the other hand, expressions like "hundreds of", "thousands of", etc. all take a plural, so it has to be "thousands of kilometers".
CJ
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CJ Hello again.
When I read "an earthquake or large explosion", I would take it as saying "an earthquake=a large explosion".
paco
When I read "an earthquake or large explosion", I would take it as saying "an earthquake=a large explosion".
paco
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Hi, Paco!
Most native speakers would not take it that way, although you are perfectly correct that it is one of the uses of "or".
Jim
Most native speakers would not take it that way, although you are perfectly correct that it is one of the uses of "or".
Jim
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