Grammar question - Page 3

squirell nutkin · 06-17-2010, 02:18 PM

But seriously, you can change the order of the words to make it sound better:
The affidavits were the only evidence

Cloud · 06-17-2010, 02:19 PM

Yeah, I think so. when in doubt, re-word!

glatt · 06-17-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirell nutkin

But seriously, you can change the order of the words to make it sound better:
The affidavits were the only evidence

That's true when you take the sentence out of context. Having not read the document I don't know if the context is important here, but perhaps the writer wants to emphasize the word "evidence" and not "affidavits."

Cloud · 06-17-2010, 02:42 PM

that's also a valid point

Nirvana · 06-17-2010, 03:28 PM

"The only evidence were the affidavits."

"The only thing in evidence were the affidavits."

jinx · 06-17-2010, 03:38 PM

Ooh, good point Vana.

Cloud · 06-17-2010, 03:40 PM

hmm; don't see any difference, or clarification in that. It won't work in context anyway, for our purposes.

HungLikeJesus · 06-17-2010, 10:17 PM

I disagree with all of you - it should be is.

Sundae · 06-18-2010, 07:07 AM

I remember the first time I was taught that "The group was shown round the castle" was correct. It sounded SO wrong to me.
Same with learning that "you and I" was not always correct, or that "too" can mean excessive as well as also and the letter H is properly pronounced "aitch".

It's all second nature now, but it's funny to remember how outraged I was at the time.

Interesting post and answers btw.

Shawnee123 · 06-18-2010, 08:20 AM

My brother asked me about the 'you and I/you and me' thing. I told him whatever works alone is what you use.

You and I went to the movies. (I went to the movies.)

It doesn't matter to you and me. (It doesn't matter to me.)

I hear it misused by some fairly intelligent folks.

Pico and ME · 06-18-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

you think "evidence' is plural?

The phrase, 'the only evidence' is not the subject of the sentence, it is a subject complement and is describing affidavits. It is actually a predicate adjective.

classicman · 06-18-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pico and ME

The phrase, 'the only evidence' is not the subject of the sentence, it is a subject complement and is describing affidavits. It is actually a predicate adjective.

squirell nutkin · 06-18-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nirvana

"The only evidence were the affidavits."

"The only thing in evidence were the affidavits."

"The only things in evidence were the affidavits." Don't plurals have to agree?

And in other news...
Pico just got 900 hotness points for being a parsing ninja

Nirvana · 06-18-2010, 02:29 PM

I changed it once and changed it back. I was going for a modifier using evidence as an adjective

>pitches college English course grades. . .

squirell nutkin · 06-18-2010, 10:15 PM

You sly devil!

06-17-2010, 02:18 PM	#31
squirell nutkin has a second hand user title Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in a Nut House Posts: 2,017	But seriously, you can change the order of the words to make it sound better: The affidavits were the only evidence __________________ And now I'm finished posting.

06-17-2010, 02:19 PM	#32
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Yeah, I think so. when in doubt, re-word! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-17-2010, 02:42 PM	#34
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	that's also a valid point __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-17-2010, 03:28 PM	#35
Nirvana Back in 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,684	"The only evidence were the affidavits." "The only thing in evidence were the affidavits." __________________ Speaking simply... do not confuse this with having a simple mind.

06-17-2010, 03:38 PM	#36
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Ooh, good point Vana. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

06-17-2010, 03:40 PM	#37
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	hmm; don't see any difference, or clarification in that. It won't work in context anyway, for our purposes. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-17-2010, 10:17 PM	#38
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	I disagree with all of you - it should be is. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-18-2010, 07:07 AM	#39
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I remember the first time I was taught that "The group was shown round the castle" was correct. It sounded SO wrong to me. Same with learning that "you and I" was not always correct, or that "too" can mean excessive as well as also and the letter H is properly pronounced "aitch". It's all second nature now, but it's funny to remember how outraged I was at the time. Interesting post and answers btw.

06-18-2010, 08:20 AM	#40
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	My brother asked me about the 'you and I/you and me' thing. I told him whatever works alone is what you use. You and I went to the movies. (I went to the movies.) It doesn't matter to you and me. (It doesn't matter to me.) I hear it misused by some fairly intelligent folks. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

06-18-2010, 02:29 PM	#44
Nirvana Back in 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,684	I changed it once and changed it back. I was going for a modifier using evidence as an adjective >pitches college English course grades. . . __________________ Speaking simply... do not confuse this with having a simple mind.

06-18-2010, 10:15 PM	#45
squirell nutkin has a second hand user title Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in a Nut House Posts: 2,017	You sly devil! __________________ And now I'm finished posting.

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