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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
I received an email today, that contained this sentence: In reply to:
Rolling blackouts are a relatively new phenomenon that is unfortunately becoming more common.
I know we've gone all around the plural/singular thing before, but I wanted to share this, and let people talk about it! It is, by the way, from a reputable company, and not the usual spam fare...
formerly known as etaoin...
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
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Suggestion for comment:
(The occurrence of) Rolling blackouts (is) a relatively new phenomenon that is unfortunately becoming more common.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
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I can't see anything special about the phrase. A similar example would be:
Public executions are still an accepted custom in some parts of the world.
The common denominator is probably the fact that the plural noun is derived from a verb in such cases.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
It does sound funny. dxb's substitution is OK, but, how about:
Rolling blackouts are a relatively new phenomenon; A phenomenon that is unfortunately becoming more common.
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addict
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addict
Joined: Dec 2002
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Or, this?:
Rolling blackouts are a relatively new phenomenon that, unfortunately, are becoming more common.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
a relatively new phenomenon that, unfortunately, are
I think it's clear that the that refers to phenomenon, which is singular.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
is there a plural for phenomenon? red-faced edit: er, that would be phenomena, right?could phenomenon act as a plural? I do think that the author of this sentence probably spent time wondering about the plural are/singular is thang, however. I don't know why I think that, just a feeling... 
formerly known as etaoin...
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
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Why not? So many people use phenomena as a singular. 
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
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It may be grammatically correct or not but it sounds wrong to have bothe the singular and plural in the same sentance. It would look neater to choose one and work the sentance around that choice.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
Zed, I agree.
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
it sounds wrong to have bothe the singular and plural in the same sentance
This is one of those problems that are confusing to many people
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
are you sayin' I'se confused?
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I'se confused?
We're often confused.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
We're often confused.
glad to know we isn't alone.
formerly known as etaoin...
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