253107
It is really interesting that English grammar is the same wherever we are in the world. I wonder why it doesn't extend to spelling.....
Incidentally, there are tentative moves afoot here in England to abolish the apostrophe.
by marjialexa
02 Feb 2014
How then could you tell the difference between the plural and possessive? Although hardly anyone uses it correctly anymore at any rate--can't remember how many signs I've seen (made by professional companies, no less) advertising a big sale on "tire's". or "pizza's"--and that is actually such a simple rule! But how could one effectively abolish an apostrophe, when it truly is necessary to indicate the possessive? Like "Sue's" design? Perhaps we ought to just teach grammar and spelling instead? What a concept! Hee hee hee
by marjialexa
02 Feb 2014
As for the spelling, I'm willing to bet that we old revolutionary Colonials messed that up. Maybe it was being so far from "home", or perhaps on purpose, or we on the frontier just didn't have enough teachers. Eventually even improper usage becomes commonplace, and then someone sticks it in the dictionary...
140717Looks like you have stired a hornets nest with this one... I think it all depends where you went to school, everyone says words or phrases differently but I would uses the latter or is it later?
45917A bigger image so you can read what it says!
5961759617Hi Sarah,
According to Grammar-Monster.com -------------------
"The term "amount of" is used for things you cannot measure (See non-countable nouns). It usually precedes a singular word.
The term "number of" precedes a plural, countable noun. It can be applied to both animate and inanimate objects."
Taken from the above website. Love Chris
234256Before I read everyone's responses, this elementary teacher would keep it simple and say, "Many goals were scored." If you can count it - use "many." If you have to measure it in a cup or something, use "much." Now I'm going to see what other teachers have said!
59617253107I love soccer and cheer for any and all goals scored.
Ooh and aah over the near misses too.
It all adds to the love of of the game.
I did read all comments on the grammer and will try to remember my verbs and nouns.
Have a great day.
Hugs
7875I think I will stick with math and science--there are too many rules in English, with too many exceptions.
7103I'm with Crazystitcher, I have a BA in English, yes, we're coming out of th woodwork, hee hee hee. The problem is, these expressions have been misused for so long that they sound "wrong" when you say them correctly. If your dispute was over "amount" or "number", think of it this way: a "number" is definable, finite, can be counted. An "amount" is kind of like sugar or flour, infinite grains, so you have to say the "amount" is a cup of sugar or flour, not a number. I know, clear as mud. That's why I wasn't a teacher. But I'm with Sue, "Many goals were scored." Or better yet, the active form, "Our team scored many goals." (or, hopefully, "The other team scored many goals, but they still couldn't win over our team's many more!" hee hee hee)
33451Crazy is quite right - "a large number of goals was scored" is correct but it sounds rather ugly. "Many goals were scored" sounds better to me. I always go for the least number of words!
140717If you really want to be grammatically correct, then neither of these expressions should be used exactly as you have typed them.
When you say "large amount of.......", the verb is acting on the noun, "amount", which is a singular noun, so a singular verb should be used: "was", not "were". Similarly, when you say "large number of......", the verb is acting on the noun, "number", which is a singular noun, so a singular verb should be used: "was", not "were". When you say "many goals.....", the verb is acting on the noun, "goals", which is a plural noun, so a plural verb should be used: "were", not "was".
Hope this explanation keeps both you and your friend smiling.
by grossfamilie
29 Jan 2014
Thank you for the detailed explanation. It is fully my opinion too; however, I did not dare to write because I am German and there we have similar rules as now confirmed by you.
Thank you - Maria
by graceandham
29 Jan 2014
Ah,, the English teachers come creeping out of the woodwork. The verb was the immediate issue for me, as well.
by wendymay60
30 Jan 2014
Verbs & Nouns get me all mixed up, I go for what sounds OK. maybe next time give each teams score finishing with what a lot of goals or not may goals today. don't know if this is the correct way
by hightechgrammy
01 Feb 2014
Those silly nouns and verbs have to agree. But we have to use the right words to express the meaning.
Oh, I love this!
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