Questions tagged [grammatical-number]
This tag applies to questions that deal with grammatical number: “singular” versus “plural”, and (rarely) also “dual”.
0
votes
1answer
16 views
Plural or singular noun in this case?
"The line graph illustrates the amount of goods which was delivered by road, water, rail and pipeline in the UK from 2000 to 2005".
Should I use "amount" or "amounts" in this case? (I am writing a ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
IPA (International phonetic alphabet) can take a plural form? [on hold]
I know that code is a countable noun, and I tend to refer to IPA like a code.
0
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0answers
21 views
One in five don't care [duplicate]
I'm looking at a sentence on the side of a box of Imperfect Produce (TM.) It reads:
"1 in 5 fruits and veggies grown in the U.S. don't meet the strict cosmetic standards of grocery stores, often ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Plurals usage in sentence
I always get confused when I have to use plurals in sentences like the following:
Please specify circuits and boards wirings identifiers.
Is it correct to add the "s" at the end of all of them?
Or ...
3
votes
2answers
43 views
Plural of numbers (as nouns)
I really tried to find an answer in Internet but turns out I've found two different answers for the same question: how do you say the plural of a number (used as noun)?
Let me elaborate:
Suppose I'm ...
0
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0answers
22 views
Is it correct to say “the color” when describing a multi-colored object? [migrated]
For instance, "the color of the watermelon is red and green", or should one say "the colors of the watermelon are red and green"?
0
votes
2answers
41 views
How is “Scope of Work” pluralized: “Scopes of Work” or “Scope of Works”?
If a title of a thing has a prepositional phrase in it, does the plural form pluralize the subject or the object of the preposition, i.e. 'Scope of Work', is the plural form 'Scopes of Work', or '...
0
votes
2answers
28 views
Grocery or Goods
Grocery - items of food sold in a grocery store (Google). But suppose I bought a few cleaning items along with the food stuff can the collection still be called grocery? Or maybe goods ?
0
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0answers
27 views
What is the plural of 'single child'?
For instance, how would you refer to a class room full of such kids? Many single children, Many 'single child's or just play it safe - "many a single child"?
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Should “noun” be plural here?
Should I use "a noun" or "nouns" in this sentence?
We use any before nouns to refer to indefinite or unknown
quantities or an unlimited entity.
Or:
We use any before a noun to refer to ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
Notified of Results/Result?
Is there a standard in the common notification message:
"You will be notified of the result/results within 24 hours."
Even if there exists more than one piece of information, the collective ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Is it “No incidents reported” or “No incident reported”?
I saw on the Cloudflare website about whether there was any problem, and the status was:
No incidents reported
Is it correct? I thought it is
Zero cars drove by.
and
No car drove by.
Or ...
2
votes
1answer
26 views
“the dynamics is” or “the dynamics are”?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, dynamics is a noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction.
A Google search reveals that "the dynamics of * is described" is almost as ...
1
vote
0answers
15 views
Plural vs Singular when the number 1 is represented in integer vs decimal form [duplicate]
If I have a noun of cardinality 1, I am taught that I use the singular form.
E.g. I have 1 Apple
If the value is still 1, but represented as 1.0, do I still use the singular form?
E.g. I have 1.0 ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Is “you have so many double standards” idiomatic and if not, why and what would be?
The noun double standard is countable. Looking at some ngram you can see the plural form used for titles (to mean something like the topic of...) or when there's a number preceding it (i.e. referring ...
0
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0answers
33 views
“Is” vs “are” with joined nouns
I have a two-sentence headline, and the question is about whether to use "is" or "are" in it:
Ideas are everywhere. Strategy and execution is/are not.
"Are" seems to agree with given rules, but ...
0
votes
1answer
31 views
was vs were in “The teachers discussed Jim, one of whose problems was poor study habits”
In the sentence below:
The teachers discussed Jim, one of whose problems was poor study habits.
Why was is used in the adjective clauses?
3
votes
2answers
370 views
A minimum of two personnel “are” or “is”?
Which is correct?
A minimum of two personnel are required to meet this objective.
or
A minimum of two personnel is required to meet this objective.
6
votes
2answers
86 views
When did “committee” become a collective noun, and why?
According to dictionary.com, "committee" comes from late Middle English, with the suffix -ee added to the word "commit". Typical use of the -ee suffix would imply the meaning of "one who commits" or "...
-1
votes
1answer
36 views
Do vs Does which one is it? [duplicate]
Which is the correct heading?
What StackOverflow does.
or What StackOverflow do.
0
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0answers
22 views
Is there a word for when the singular is the same as the plural? [duplicate]
Is there a word for when the singular is the same as the plural?
e.g. "fish"
I understand that fish isn't a collective noun, as there are already collective nouns for fish, like shoal or school for ...
3
votes
2answers
364 views
Two oatmeal pies a day keep the doctor away?
Is it "two oatmeal pies a day keep the doctor away" or "two oatmeal pies a day keeps the doctor away"?
0
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0answers
20 views
More than one - singular or plural [duplicate]
"When more than one threads are executed". Is this correct? How should it have been phrased?
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Models are my life, vs models is my life [duplicate]
I am wondering which one of the following is correct:
I love building mathematical models. Models are my life.
I love building mathematical models. Models is my life.
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Proper form of “user request”
The context is an Internet platform to which http requests are sent. In a sentence like this:
The system behaves differently when users' requests increase.
what is the correct usage of user request ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
Are two (or more) to-infinitives treated as singular?
A friend said to me that two (or more) to-infinitives are treated as singular (whereas gerunds can be treated as plural depending on the situation). Is it true?
Or, in this example sentence, which ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
“singing and dancing” is singular or plural? [duplicate]
Singing and dancing is fun!
Singing and dancing are fun!
Please tell me which expression is correct.
0
votes
0answers
17 views
’s apostrophe usage in “RNA’s” [duplicate]
The following is a test of mba entrance
Why is there a 's after RNA in number 2 ?
PS: the number 2 should change to
RNA's direct
according to the answer sheet.
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Plural or singular when talking about generalities
In an academic paper, I need to explain that C programs have only one entry point. Should I write
C programs have only one entry point
or
A C program has only one entry point
I often find ...
0
votes
2answers
21 views
They are the global leaders in the synthetic drug(s) industry
They are the global leaders in the synthetic drug(s) industry.
Should the word 'drug(s)' be singular or plural in this sentence?
1
vote
0answers
16 views
“Save the Blue Whale” or “Save the Blue Whales”?
When writing about a breed or species as a whole, which is correct? I intuitively think the first option sounds better, but I can't put my finger on why that is so.
0
votes
1answer
30 views
“Price of goods” vs “Prices of goods”
I was just asked, in referring to the sentence: “The price of goods in big cities is usually higher than in small cities,” if it’s okay to swap “price of goods” for “prices of goods.” I said that ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
schools of thought vs. schools of thoughts
I am wondering if I should say schools of thought or schools of thoughts? The word thought can both be countable or uncountable, I think.
0
votes
0answers
37 views
“With war come deaths” vs “With war comes deaths” [migrated]
Which is the correct form of verb here? what is considered the subject in this case?
0
votes
0answers
8 views
Plural or singular when referencing a company [duplicate]
Which is correct when using as a title:
Who is Microsoft?
or
Who are Microsoft?
2
votes
2answers
80 views
What is the plural possessive form of the word “British”? [closed]
What is the plural possessive form of the word "British"? I believe British is both singular and plural. Is that right? I could get around the possessive problem by using "The British empire's...", ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
Throughout this and last year(s)
"Throughout this and last year" sounds more correct, but saying "this and last" implies two, leading me to believe "years" could be right.
This is kind of similar, but the most conclusive answer ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Acronyms: Plural, and then Singular
The acronym "SP" is first written in the document as:
"contained in widely used or long-standing special permits (SP)."
Next it appears in the singular:
"eliminate the need for numerous SP renewal ...
-1
votes
0answers
45 views
Plural or singular after an enumeration
I am not sure about the following sentence.
Is it:
Liking comments, articles or profiles generates suggestions on the same topic. (referring to the enumeration)
or is it:
Liking comments, ...
2
votes
3answers
69 views
Third person singular or plural form of “to be” with plural noun in question
A disagreement with a colleague: I say "What measures are your company currently implementing?"; she says "what measures is your company currently implementing?". It seems obvious to me I am right! ...
-1
votes
0answers
50 views
Subject-Verb Agreement Rule [Help]
I bought a grammar book and I am confused about Subject-Verb Agreement rule.
In the book it says the verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Reconciling the singular and plural in a title
Here is the tile of a journal article: https://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2724039/recognizing-potential-overdiagnosis-high-sensitivity-cardiac-troponin-assays-example
"Recognizing the Potential ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
Gold (in) Bar vs Gold Bar vs Gold Bars
I had a discussion with co-workers regarding correct usage of phrases relating to gold production. Namely, I suggested the following phrase: 'gold in bar production' that is, production of gold in the ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
How to talk about actions with repetition in the past?
One way to talk about the actions that one commonly did in the past is using the modal "would". Now if I do not want to use it, how I can say my story.
For example,
When I was a lecturer, I go to ...
6
votes
3answers
960 views
“Fish and chips shop” or “fish and chip shop”?
When referring to a restaurant specializing in fish and chips would you call it a fish and chip shop or a fish and chips shop?
-1
votes
0answers
22 views
“There is/are more than on” with plural noun by defaut
I was wondering if I should write "I wonder if there is more ..." or "I wonder if there are more..." and I found a threads asking the same question, giving the example of "more cat". The answer was: ...
-1
votes
0answers
36 views
Can life form be a collective noun?
Let's say I have this sentence for a sci-fi story: "If humanoid intelligent life form(s) really existed underwater..."
Should it be "form" or "forms"? Thank you.
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Why is the plural 'oxen'? Is it acceptable to use 'oxes'? [closed]
According to a English grammar rules, we add 'es' when the noun ends with 's', 'ss', 'sh', 'x', or 'ch'. With these rules, 'ox' would become 'oxes' in the plural.
Can 'oxes' be used as the plural of '...
1
vote
0answers
7 views
friend of the familyname's or familynames [duplicate]
Is it
"John is a friend of the Smith's."
or
"John is a friend of the Smiths."
?
Thank you for your answer :)
1
vote
2answers
64 views
Should the plural form of “daphnia” be used if there is more than one?
For my science fair, I am confused on if I should write, "daphnia", "daphnias", or "Daphnia" regarding to the species, especially multiple of them.
Is there a certain time to use the word in upper ...
