A grammar argument.

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crazydrummerdude
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A grammar argument.

Post by crazydrummerdude »

I'm not an English major, but I went to private school. I can be snobby if I want.

I've had this argument before, and I just ran across another example of it in a 20,000 word proposal for NASA that I am editing for someone else.
there are a significant amount of considerations that need to be addressed
Now, it sounds OK.

But, really, even though this sounds weird, shouldn't it be:
there is a significant amount of considerations that need to be addressed
...because we're talking about the "amount" instead of the "considerations"?

"There is a significant amount" - Ding
"There are a significant amount" - Bzzzt

If there wasn't "a significant amount", I can see how it would be right.

"There is considerations" - Bzzzt
"There are considerations" - Ding

..but I have had this argument with people before, and rather than just letting me prove my point, they just tune out and end up not getting it.

This example isn't the best, but it gets the point across.

Discuss.
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Fiend
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RE: A grammar argument.

Post by Fiend »

Why not just avoid the first part of the sentence all together, and adjust the phrase accordingly? "A significant amount of consideration will need to be addressed". Simple, and down to the point, no need to make words plural. I'm not a English major either, and I too went to a private school.
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crazydrummerdude
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Re: RE: A grammar argument.

Post by crazydrummerdude »

Fiend wrote:Why not just avoid the first part of the sentence all together
The whole sentence is something along the lines of (I'm still editing the document):
In designing a refrigerant-based propulsion system, there are many considerations that need to be addressed, such as the gravitational loads at launch and zero gravity propulsive maneuver disturbances.
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SubLunar
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RE: A grammar argument.

Post by SubLunar »

In designing a refrigerant-based propulsion system, there are many considerations that need to be addressed, such as the gravitational loads at launch and zero gravity propulsive maneuver disturbances.
I think the second comma is unnecessary. Otherwise, the "are" in this sentence is used properly-unlike your original post.
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Re: A grammar argument.

Post by White Rabbit »

If only we had someone with a degree in English on the forum. :mrgreen:
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Re: RE: A grammar argument.

Post by crazydrummerdude »

SubLunar wrote:
In designing a refrigerant-based propulsion system, there are many considerations that need to be addressed, such as the gravitational loads at launch and zero gravity propulsive maneuver disturbances.
I think the second comma is unnecessary. Otherwise, the "are" in this sentence is used properly-unlike your original post.
Several hours later, and it's still under construction.

I have a habit of adding too many commas. I think it stems from my fondness of the oxford comma.
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Re: A grammar argument.

Post by BROUSER »

I'm an English teacher, does that count?

The correct way would be "is."

But the entire construct is unfortunate and unnecessarily wordy.

The unnecessary construct of "there are....that" is addressed in the most recent versions of MLA and APA style guides, and should be eliminated.

Go with the stronger verb, and lose the passive voice.

"In designing a refrigerant-based propulsion system, many considerations need to be addressed, to include gravitational loads at launch and zero gravity propulsive maneuver disturbances."

The subordinate clause "In designing...blah blah," could be placed after "many considerations..." and eliminate the need for the first comma.

My choice?

"Many considerations need to be addressed in designing a refrigerant-based propulsion system, including gravitational loads at launch and zero gravity propulsive maneuver disturbances."
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critter
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RE: A grammar argument.

Post by critter »

It should be "there is a significant amount of..."

The word "is" is used with a single noun like "amount." If "amount" was plural like "amounts" then one would use "are."

I don't have an English degree, but I teach next door to one who does.
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Re: RE: A grammar argument.

Post by SubLunar »

crazydrummerdude wrote:I think it stems from my fondness of the oxford comma.
fuck you.
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crazydrummerdude
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Re: RE: A grammar argument.

Post by crazydrummerdude »

SubLunar wrote:
crazydrummerdude wrote:I think it stems from my fondness of the oxford comma.
fuck you.
:lol:
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RE: A grammar argument.

Post by Kit »

i didnt think the "are" in the first one sounded ok.
Kit wrote:I am old
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Re: A grammar argument.

Post by slow_walker »

One of the best ways to help you figure it out is to just use that one fragment of the sentence by itself. If someone asked you "how many considerations are there?" you would say "there is a significant amount."

Or at least I would. :)
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RE: A grammar argument.

Post by SubLunar »

Schizophrenic Disorders are a class of mental disorders marked by disturbances in thought that dramatically affect perceptual, social and emotional processes.
MsWord tells me it should be "affects", but I disagree because it's the disturbances that affect, not the class that affects.
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Re: A grammar argument.

Post by KansasCity »

/me hates this thread.
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RE: A grammar argument.

Post by SubLunar »

But it's so much fun, the arguing and the grammar! You is just not grammatically inclined.
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