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Twistedthistle Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

tricky plural

Hi everyone,

I have this sentence:

The number one team in each group play each other for the championship.

But I'm a bit unsure about it. Is it correct?

Or should it be something like this:

The number one teams in each group play each other for the championship.

But again, this looks a bit off, too . . .

I think it has something to do with "number one" and "each" requiring a singular noun, whereas the verb "play" requires a plural.

Could anyone help me with this?

I know it's possible to re-phrase, but I'd like to get the bottom of this . . .

Thanks for your help!

TT
  

Top answer

twistedthistle I know it's possible to re-phrase, but I'd like to get the bottom of this . . You've set up a paradoxical situation.

— CalifJim

  • twistedthistle I know it's possible to re-phrase, but I'd like to get the bottom of this .
  • .
  • You've set up a paradoxical situation.
  • In other words, there is no solution without rephrasing.
  • Discounting the possibility of a tie, there can only be one number one team in each group (of teams).
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2 Answers
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twistedthistleI know it's possible to re-phrase, but I'd like to get the bottom of this . . .
You've set up a paradoxical situation. In other words, there is no solution without rephrasing.

Discounting the possibility of a tie, there can only be one number one team in each group (of teams). That is, you can't have more than one number one team in ea
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Beautiful explanation. Thanks CJ for untangling my illogical knot! No wonder it all sounded off!
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