09-26-2001, 10:35 AM | #1 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
I got an argument with my English teacher (who i personally don;t trust as IMO My English is about as good as hers and that's not a good sign)
about the word Public it that word plural or ehm not-plural in other words is it the public Don't or the Public doesn't???? ------------------ I'm Watching you... |
09-26-2001, 10:42 AM | #2 | |
Banned User
Join Date: August 9, 2001
Location: ...
Posts: 694
|
Quote:
Without looking it up, my gut reaction is "doesn't." "the public don't" just doesn't sound right. |
|
09-26-2001, 10:44 AM | #3 |
Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Sweden
Age: 50
Posts: 3,450
|
http://dictionary.cambridge.org
Check it out. It might be one of thoose nasty words that breaks alot of rules.. But I think it should be doesn´t since you refer to alot of people as a unite.. But well, I better leave this to someone who knows for certain. The link above is one I got from Sir Tainly! May the rust never grew to heavy on his armour! ------------------ Be vevvy qwiet..I´m hunting wabbits... Wolfgirs lair once-upon-a-paper |
09-26-2001, 10:47 AM | #4 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
So it's the Public Doesn't
I'll show this to my english teacher and demand her to get one her knees and kiss my shoes ------------------ I'm Watching you... |
09-26-2001, 11:15 AM | #5 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
It's the public don't. Your teacher is right I'm afraid. When you talk about a group of people, you speak in singular.
------------------ |
09-26-2001, 11:18 AM | #6 |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: September 6, 2001
Location: The lighter side of life, a.k.a. Newnan, Georgia
Age: 55
Posts: 2,767
|
I have to disagree SA. 'Public' is one of those ugly exceptions to the rule. It is 'the public doesn't'.
------------------ The day we stop learning is the day we start dying!(c) Owner/operator of the Evil Petting Zoo and devout member of the HADB clan. Commander of the Dragon Fleet, IW Peacekeeping Force Mage extraordinair. Occasional minion to Gwhanos the Fluffy Hopeless Romantic *sigh* "Allright! We'll call it a draw." |
09-26-2001, 11:20 AM | #7 | |
Banned User
Join Date: August 9, 2001
Location: ...
Posts: 694
|
Quote:
I have to disagree. English is a weird hodgepodge of various languages. Proper usage of certain words like in this example is a matter of much debate and varying usage, even among scholars of the English language. I wager that if you asked scholars of the English language about this example, you would get different answers. So, in such cases, just go with whatever sounds/feels more correct. |
|
09-26-2001, 11:22 AM | #8 | |
Zartan
Join Date: May 2, 2001
Location: Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum
Age: 43
Posts: 5,281
|
Quote:
|
|
09-26-2001, 11:23 AM | #9 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
No this cannot be! I was always the best in English class grrrr.... I hate being wrong
------------------ |
09-26-2001, 11:24 AM | #10 | |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: September 6, 2001
Location: The lighter side of life, a.k.a. Newnan, Georgia
Age: 55
Posts: 2,767
|
Quote:
------------------ The day we stop learning is the day we start dying!(c) Owner/operator of the Evil Petting Zoo and devout member of the HADB clan. Commander of the Dragon Fleet, IW Peacekeeping Force Mage extraordinair. Occasional minion to Gwhanos the Fluffy Hopeless Romantic *sigh* "Allright! We'll call it a draw." |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Public urnials | burnzey boi | General Discussion | 12 | 07-06-2006 10:48 AM |
Public Apology | Ironbar | Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal | 14 | 01-01-2004 04:45 PM |
Public Apology! | Joely | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 30 | 11-11-2003 12:07 PM |
Change ur public name? | Lovisa | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 28 | 05-22-2003 04:33 PM |
Want to use tobacco in public in NY? | Arvon | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 3 | 05-21-2003 06:44 PM |