Quick question: what is the plural of 'go'?

[Barrel of Fun]

No, the verb agrees with the subject of sentence: the subject is singular so it's "1 in 4 kids is illiterate". RTBen is right.

One in four, refers to an average of a group. What about 25%?

Both plural, I feel.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Well, I was making a point about plural v singular but yes, the tenses should agree too. I suppose my wrong example should have read 'were' arrested.

But if the example were "If 20 supporters were involved in a fight, how come only one were arrested", I think that would be correct because the conditional would take a subjunctive. Complicated business English grammar, innit?

Yup- I was just being pedantic. That new sentence does not sound right - sounds better with "was arrested", but that does not necessarily make it correct. English grammar really is a bit bonkers.

 

[Bakero]

I'm fairly sure that's not right. The subjunctive can be used for second conditional sentences (If I were you, I'd do it) but it would be in the 'if' clause. It can also be used after 'wish', 'if only' or 'suppose' (I wish I were a millionaire).

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Yup- I was just being pedantic. That new sentence does not sound right - sounds better with "was arrested", but that does not necessarily make it correct. English grammar really is a bit bonkers.

It doesn't sound right because it isn't right. The first "were" is a subjunctive. The second "were" shouldn't be. It should be the plain and simple "was".

 

[KZNSeagull]

It doesn't sound right because it isn't right. The first "were" is a subjunctive. The second "were" shouldn't be. It should be the plain and simple "was".

Well there we are! I have just looked up subjunctives and indicatives and am none the wiser. I will just continue to write things that sound correct!

 

[Gwylan]

One in four, refers to an average of a group. What about 25%?

Both plural, I feel.

You feel wrong. One is always a singular. 25 percent of kids are illiterate would be plural.

I'm fairly sure that's not right. The subjunctive can be used for second conditional sentences (If I were you, I'd do it) but it would be in the 'if' clause. It can also be used after 'wish', 'if only' or 'suppose' (I wish I were a millionaire).

I did say "I think", I wasn't sure. However, in this case, it is the second clause of the sentence. I really don't know the answer to this one - I need a real grammar hound.

Yup- I was just being pedantic. That new sentence does not sound right - sounds better with "was arrested", but that does not necessarily make it correct. English grammar really is a bit bonkers.

It sounds wrong because it was meant to be wrong. As I said, I was using an example to show how applying the plural form of a verb to a singular subject sounds wrong.

 

[Triggaaar]

But surely everyone should know that nouns have plurals and verbs don't? This isn't really grammar - it's just the meaning of words.

A lot of people have no idea what a noun or verb is. Do you not watch much crap TV Lord B? Our country is full of idiots.

 

[Triggaaar]

No, the verb agrees with the subject of sentence: the subject is singular so it's "1 in 4 kids is illiterate".

One in four, refers to an average of a group. What about 25%?

Both plural, I feel.

You feel wrong. One is always a singular. 25 percent of kids are illiterate would be plural.

What about if it was one quarter of kids are illiterate?

 

[Publius Ovidius]

Go can be used as a plural e.g. 'Give it a go.'

Give them a go?

 

[Barrel of Fun]

You feel wrong. One is always a singular. 25 percent of kids are illiterate would be plural.

The Guardian produced a little guide to the English language and this is their take on it.