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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
What is the difference?
Hi!
A few days ago, I posted a question here.
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Q: Which is correct?
automatic transmissions equipped with a slip lock-up mechanism
automatic transmissions equipped with slip lock-up mechanisms
A:
automatic transmissions equipped with a slip lock-up mechanism
(Thanks, Mr. Micawber!)
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When I asked a native English speaker long time ago which one of the following is correct, the answer was the second one.
- 10 envelops with a stamp on them
- 10 envelops with stamps on them
(assuming one stamp on each envelope)
What is the difference between the first case and this one?
Is it because "mechanism" is not an object (thing)?
But countable..
I always have problem with this...
A few days ago, I posted a question here.
********************
Q: Which is correct?
automatic transmissions equipped with a slip lock-up mechanism
automatic transmissions equipped with slip lock-up mechanisms
A:
automatic transmissions equipped with a slip lock-up mechanism
(Thanks, Mr. Micawber!)
*********************
When I asked a native English speaker long time ago which one of the following is correct, the answer was the second one.
- 10 envelops with a stamp on them
- 10 envelops with stamps on them
(assuming one stamp on each envelope)
What is the difference between the first case and this one?
Is it because "mechanism" is not an object (thing)?
But countable..
I always have problem with this...
Top answer
There is no absolute right or wrong with any of these. You must use common sense to decide which is less ambiguous. I gave you the singular because it made it clear for me that each transmission had one mechanism - since transmissions aren't that well known, generally.
- There is no absolute right or wrong with any of these.
- You must use common sense to decide which is less ambiguous.
- I gave you the singular because it made it clear for me that each transmission had one mechanism - since transmissions aren't that well known, generally.
- With stamps, we expect one stamp anyway, so the native speaker chose the plural to match the plural envelopes.
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2 Answers
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There is no absolute right or wrong with any of these. You must use common sense to decide which is less ambiguous. I gave you the singular because it made it clear for me that each transmission had one mechanism - since transmissions aren't that well known, generally. With stamps, we expect one stamp anyway, so the native speaker chose the plural to match the plural envelopes.
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Thank you again, Mr. Micawber!
I'd been learning English for so many years not knowing there was no absolute right or wrong with these! It's a shock (in a good way
I'd been learning English for so many years not knowing there was no absolute right or wrong with these! It's a shock (in a good way
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