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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:12 pm
by oursilverstrands
Jan wrote:Lillian, this one is beyond my expertise. Post it to Ann's forum...
..."but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how each of us, toddlers and adults, deals with risk in our own way.
Okay, Ann, do I pass or fail with the above sentence as it relates to subject and verb? Is "each of us" plural or singular? I took the risk based on what I think I know and chose singular. "Each of us deals..." But then the phrase "toddlers and adults requires the plural "deals," and they fuel my uncertainty; make me think that I could be wrong.
So which one is it? I'm sure there's a link to a lesson on this somewhere. Thanks.
Lillian (trying not to grow rusty during my writing hiatus
Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:48 pm
by jeff elohim2
fwiw, /compare?/
"each of us " go
or
"each of us " goes
>>
he/she goes
they go
Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 11:41 am
by Anja
Just getting to this, Lillian.
"Each" is the noun and is singular. So use the appropriate verb.
"Toddlers and adults" is extra information, parenthetical, so remove it (in your head) to complete the sentence's structure.
"but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how each of us, (toddlers and adults,) deals with risk in our own way."
So "deals" is correct.
However, I would change "way" to "ways," since "our" is plural.
I will post a lesson on using each, all, every, etc. when I return. Taking my granddaughter to Victoria tomorrow!
Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 12:48 pm
by oursilverstrands
Thanks, Ann. I wish I had your energy!
Have fun.
Lillian
Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 12:58 pm
by oursilverstrands
Oh, but wait. I understand now that "toddlers and adults" are parenthetical, but how does "each" become "our own ways?" If I remove the extra information it would read:
"but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how each of us deals with risk in our own ways."
Since each of us is singular, why would we use the plural pronoun "our? " Would it not be "his or her own way?
Thanks, Lillian
Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:36 pm
by Anja
In that case, change the "each" to "all" and "deals" to "deal."
"but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how all of us deal with risk in our own ways."
Which makes better sense, I think. I often reword a sentence if it isn't clear or if I don't know if it's right.