Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
picture; snapshot; image
tow
grocery
bonus
photograph
TOEIC prep test: Word games free: Online Nouns Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
The event starts at the earlier time? | meaning of "pitch"
Message Author
Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:37 am  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

Hello,

I heard this expression "only the strong survive" and i was wondering why "survive" and not "survives"

the strong survives in the wild........right? and not the strong survive?
Ched133
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 89

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:12 am  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

"The strong" are "they" and not "it". They survive.
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017

What do you know about the progressive forms?Sign up for FREE and explore English! Click to subscribe to email English courseAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:32 am  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

Thank you Molly

another question, how could you tell "the strong" is plural and not singular?
It is hard for me to tell because there is no "s" at the end like "the strongs"

Thanks
Ched133
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 89

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:27 am  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

Hi Ched,

Adjectives are often used as nouns and in that way they are assumed to refer to a number or a group. We can talk about the rich and the poor and in that sense we are talking about poor and rich people and not an individual. If we wanted to indicate singularity, we would have to revert to the adjective function and say: The rich one/the poor one as in: There are two brothers in this town, the rich one lives here and the poor one lives at the other end of town.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Prepositions
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7583
Location: UK

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:51 am  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

Quote:
Thank you Molly

another question, how could you tell "the strong" is plural and not singular?
It is hard for me to tell because there is no "s" at the end like "the strongs"

What would these be in your language, Ched?

the police
the weak
the poor
the downtrodden
the fortunate
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:21 pm  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

Hi,

The one I have ever heard of is:
"Only the strong will survive"
Is there any difference with
"Only the strong survive"?
_________________
各位前輩安安, 我是kitty喔!
Kwfine
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 70
Location: China+Australia

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 18:13 pm  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

Hi Molly

>>What would these be in your language, Ched?
>>the police
the weak
the poor
the downtrodden
the fortunate

There is no singular or plural in Chinese. We just use many to indicate plural.

Thanks Alan and Molly, i will remember that "the adjective" = plural.
Ched133
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 89

Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? Fri Apr 04, 2008 20:46 pm  Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?
 

The word "adjective" is not an adjective like 'poor'. It is a noun or a naming word which refers to words like 'good' or 'bad.' So here this noun(the word 'adjective') is a singular noun and adding 'the' will not make it refer to a group. You have to use 'the adjectives' if you want the plural. I hope I made myself clear.
Best of luck.
n
Nanucbe
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 66
Location: USA

Display posts from previous:   
The event starts at the earlier time? | meaning of "pitch"
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'? All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
How many ways are there to reply to a "Thank you" and an 'I'm sorry'?unexplained vs. unexplainablein accordance with vs. in accordance toTucked in or what?Structure: By obeyingthe speed limit, we can save energy, lives, and it costs...Correct my sentences: No one can Beats him; He will beats youPrices for bikes vs prices of bikesCorrect answer: Anger that you don't express to others can become anger that...What should I write down?'S Thing! (SUPPLIER's scope of work vs SUPPLIERS' scope of work)Put the verbs into correct tense (help me, I so confused at it)Optional test (Have you brought my umbrella?)Optional test question: Shal we have a farewell party next week?Who? ('It was John and I' vs 'They were John and I')Usage of "having been"English equivalent to "complaint and reclamation management"communications systems vs. communication systems"Looking at" or "Looked at"?Phrase: only the strong survive. Why 'survive' and not 'survives'?

Discover English-test.net
What is the difference between 'much better' and 'more better'Still: Wages were poor and they still areHow the internet makes English language learners easier?What is the meaning of "foxed"?SAT prep test: Word Vocabulary Games: Verb Noun Adjective TestsSAT vocab test: Free word games: Online Verb Noun Adjective GameDefine undercharge, deride, sanctity, ultramontane, vertigo, semicircle, disregardLearn how to speak Finnish: Finnish WordAceFree ESL Quiz Online: AgreementsFinancial words conforms, warrants, deal, distinct, payee: The ICCUCPDC

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail