Sunday, April 15, 2012

New Survey Question: Puzzling Plurals


(The public is invited to participate in the survey, located within this post.)

Most English nouns are transformed from singular to plural by adding an -s or -es to the end, as with cat -- cats and wish -- wishes, but there are a number of singular--plural pairs that are tricky. How tricky? Let's find out! In the survey below, check all the phrases that are expressed correctly. Do not look anything up in a dictionary -- just go with your own insight. Here are two examples:
Example 1.   two savvy woman
(incorrect, because woman is a singular noun, but two indicates more than one. If the phrase were one savvy woman, or two savvy women, it would be correct.)

Example 2.   five new cars
(correct, because cars indicates more than one, a plural, and five also indicates more than one)
Now, complete the survey below. If the survey does not work, click here and vote / view at the source, Twiigs Polls.

Thanks for participating! Invite your friends, too.
Check back on April 29th for discussion.

Susan