Singular vs. Plural
Singular vs. Plural
(OP)
Assuming that there are 10 children in a class and I want to send a letter to each child’s father; can I say “Letter(s) will be sent to childen’s father(s)?”
Can anybody tell me whether I have use “s” in this context?
Can anybody tell me whether I have use “s” in this context?





RE: Singular vs. Plural
"Children's father" means all the children have the same father.
BTW I just had my first Mandarin Chinese class last night. One of the first thing our teacher explained is that there is no singular/plural in Mandarin. I can see how this might be confusing to one learning English.
RE: Singular vs. Plural
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Singular vs. Plural
Perhaps you can verify this for me. From my experience, I've witnessed Chinese colleagues who often confuses between gender words, like referring to a female as "he". How do they distinguish males from females in Mandarin?
"A letter will be sent to the father of each child"
RE: Singular vs. Plural
You think the sentence should be "Letter(s) will be sent to the children's fathers"
I'm a Hongkonger and my mother tongue is Cantonese. I am surprised why your Chinese colleague makes mistakes in gender words. In Chinese writing, there are two pronouns for man and woman; however, the pronunciations of these two pronouns in Cantonese are the same. I am not 200% sure whether they are the same in Mandarin. For me, I seldom make mistakes in gender words in writing but sometimes in speaking.....
Nevertheless, I get confused in plural nouns.....
RE: Singular vs. Plural
However, there is no distinction between the pronouns he or she.
RE: Singular vs. Plural
If more than one letter will be sent, try "Letters will be sent to each child's father."
RE: Singular vs. Plural
If there is a bridge which comprises 3 spans. All three spans are lifted by a crane from the ground level.
Can I say "These three spans are lifted by the crane into their final positions"
RE: Singular vs. Plural
Some might argue that there is a more correct way of saying this, but your meaning is clear.