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#2 (permalink) Sat Nov 04, 2006 20:58 pm Permit/ make free choicES |
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Hi Tamara
Interesting question. :D
"Free choice" is used to refer to a general concept (similar to "free will") or one single instance in which you have to choose between things.
Using "free choices" is simply looking at the ability or right to choose in terms of various instances.
One usage note: I'd say that you can collocate the verb "make" only with the countable version of "free choice" (and not with the uncountable version):
A computer cannot make free choices even though PC users may sometimes believe their PC has a will of its own. 8)
Maybe somebody else will have some further ideas.
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#3 (permalink) Sat Nov 04, 2006 23:03 pm Permit/ make free choicES |
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Hi Amy
Any properly functioning computer shouldn’t be too self-willed. :)
| Yankee wrote: |
| One usage note: I'd say that you can collocate the verb "make" only with the countable version of "free choice" (and not with the uncountable version) |
So, 'make a free choice' is correct, but 'make free choice' (Free Choice :)) is not? Hmm. Interesting.
various instances... OK. Thank you, Amy. Clear.
Could you also say a word about 'multiple choices'? Something the like, I suppose? No hidden reefs? _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
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#4 (permalink) Sat Nov 04, 2006 23:52 pm Permit/ make free choicES |
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. A multiple choice test is a test where each question has multiple choices and the test-taker must try to make the correct choice for each. :D . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#5 (permalink) Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:29 am Permit / make free choicES |
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Hi Amy,
Thank you.
Sorry my – perhaps stupid – morning question about your last sentence, but I'm a bit confused by the structure. Which noun does the second each in your sentence refer to?
(From the meaning I suppose that it (also) refers to question, but shouldn’t it - grammatically, mechanically - be connected to the last noun (except the subject 'test-taker')?
'...to make the correct choice for each choice'. _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
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#6 (permalink) Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:33 am Permit / make free choicES |
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Hi Tamara
Sorry about your confusion, but your first assumption is correct. I didn't write that sentence in order to illustrate the most well-written sentence one could write, but rather as a sentence to include the word "choice" multiple times.
Rather than write "each question" multiple times, I chose to write only "each" the second time. 8)
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#7 (permalink) Sun Nov 05, 2006 15:22 pm Permit / make free choicES |
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Thanks, Amy.
It's certainly your free choice. :) _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
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