Observations on Plurality

The general rule is that the plurality of the verb and subject must agree.

1. Plurality and modifiers

Some modifiers (adjectives) use the plural form while others use the singular form, regardless of whether the noun being modified is in singular or plural form.

For example, number words use singular form when they are functioning as adjectives (e.g. 'one cat', 'three dogs'), whereas demonstrative pronouns agree with the plurality of the noun (e.g. 'that car', 'those cars')

2. Plurality and meaning vs form

Plurality is a concept that deals with the meaning (semantic) of the word, rather than the form. (e.g. 'the fish are swimming to the sea', 'the fish is dead')

Note: Sometimes the subject of the sentence may not be the last occurring noun before the verb.

For example, in the sentence, 'Three loaves of bread are being eaten by the pigs,' the subject is 'loaves' not 'bread'.

2006-04-03 05:05:00pm (GMT +10) kyy