Should the noun position be singular or plural in the following sentence?
You should focus on the position(s) of your lips and tongue pronouncing this sound.
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See also English Language Learners -- Btw, of course, it would be plural, although singular will work -- think why.– KrisCommented Mar 2, 2016 at 10:00
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1 Answer
Singular.
This is a counter-intuitive, but although you are talking about two [or even three!] things (lips and tongue), you could well choose to use the singular because position means "the placement [of what is being considered] relative to other things", and so can be used to describe the situation as a whole: each thing/assemblage can only have one position at a time. This applies even if you're talking about a set-up involving lots of different things, eg
"The position/s of the chess pieces on the board".
You would be forced to use the plural in cases where the thing or set-up you are discussing changes its position over time and you are bringing this point out, for example:
"Throughout the pronunciation exercise you will move your lips and tongue into lots of different positions, some of which might feel unusual."
answered Mar 2, 2016 at 10:00
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@Kris - if your point is that you disagree with my answer, then please write your own answer explaining your position(s). Commented Mar 2, 2016 at 10:03
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You have all the time in the world. Please take your time. Good Luck. And Yes, Sir, the down vote is mine.– KrisCommented Mar 2, 2016 at 10:07
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I understand that comment even less than i did your first one. Commented Mar 2, 2016 at 10:09
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1@EdwinAshworth this edit seems quite opinion based, and adds a lot of extra information which i wouldn't have written. Wouldn't you have been better off writing your own answer? Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 13:10