#1  
Old 10-Dec-2006, 00:46
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Default Half

I am a little bit confused at "half", the singular or the plural.
Would you help me understand whether or not the following
sentence is true?
1. One and a half years have passed since we last saw. (true or false?)
2. One year and a half has passed since we last saw.
(true or false?)
3. Two years and a half has passed since we last saw.
(true or false?)
4. Two and a half years have passed since we last saw. (true or false?)
Thank you.
  #2  
Old 10-Dec-2006, 01:13
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Default Re: Half

1. have 2. either sounds OK to me, but have sounds better 3. have 4. have
  #3  
Old 10-Dec-2006, 15:24
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Default Re: Half

The only one I disagree with is number 3, which I think should be "Two years and a half have passed ...."

~R
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Old 11-Dec-2006, 03:41
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Default Re: Half

mykwyner
Ronbee
Thank youn for your reply, so can I understand the followings?
1. OK
2. OK (the singular :has , but "have" sounds better)
3. False ( it should be "have")
4. OK
Tks
  #5  
Old 11-Dec-2006, 05:33
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Default Re: Half

Yes, you can.
  #6  
Old 11-Dec-2006, 05:45
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Default Re: Half

I agree with Tdol, but "One year and a half has passed...." sounds perfectly fine to me. (BTW, every one of those sentences needs an object.)

~R
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Old 11-Dec-2006, 05:46
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Default Re: Half

tdol
It's been a while, how are you?
Thank you for your reply!
  #8  
Old 11-Dec-2006, 08:05
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Default Re: Half

I'm fine, and you? There are differences between Ae and BrE with singular/plural issues and I think the tendency in BrE is to make 11/2 plural.
  #9  
Old 11-Dec-2006, 14:21
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Default Re: Half

tdol
I'm fine, too. Thank you.
But I'm sorry I can't understand the phrase for "Ae" , "BrE" and "make 11/2 plural". Would you please explain that?
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Old 11-Dec-2006, 14:31
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Default Re: Half

Quote:
Originally Posted by YOSHITAKEHORI View Post
tdol
I'm fine, too. Thank you.
But I'm sorry I can't understand the phrase for "Ae" , "BrE" and "make 11/2 plural". Would you please explain that?
Ae - American English
BrE - British English
11/2 - 1½

b
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