|
|
 #2 (permalink) Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:41 am the law of proximity in grammar |
|
|
.
I presume that you are speaking of proximal concord, in which a verb may agree in number with a nearer noun rather than with its grammatical referent.
A group of boys are standing over there. -- Although the sentence subject is singular (group), the verb is plural (are) because the concept 'boys' (a plural noun) is nearer it.
It is not a 'law' in the sense that you must obey it, but it does leave open the possibility of two natural formations:
A group of boys is/are standing over there
.
.
On second thought, another possible 'law of proximity' is that modifiers (adverbs and adjectives) should be placed as near as possible to their referents in order to avoid confusion:
(X)The man gave me a sandwich who is sitting over there.
The man who is sitting over there gave me a sandwich.
The modifying clause (who is sitting over there) should be placed near its referent (man)-- just in case we might think it is a sitting sandwich (somewhat personified).
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
 Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 13015
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Mon Jul 13, 2009 18:36 pm the law of proximity in grammar |
|
|
| sir, can I say about seventy to eighty percent of the students have or has improved? |
|
Albertgray
New Member
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
|
 |
| #4 (permalink) Mon Jul 13, 2009 18:41 pm the law of proximity in grammar |
|
|
| can I also say a greater percentage of the students has improve? |
|
Albertgray
New Member
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
|
|
| #5 (permalink) Mon Jul 13, 2009 23:02 pm the law of proximity in grammar |
|
|
70-80% of the students have....
70-80% of the water has....
'Greater percentage' is OK.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 13015
|
|
| #6 (permalink) Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:31 am the law of proximity in grammar |
|
|
Sir, do i say: i was not one of those who was chasing her for tips
or i was not one of those who were chasing her for tips? |
|
Albertgray
New Member
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
|
|
|
| I have been meaning to ask for a long lime. | The errant husband. |
