Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher


Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Anglika

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17-Jan-2008, 02:29
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Member Type: Other
Smile 'Features' - Singular or Plural

I have a question on the use of the word 'features'.

Should the word 'feature' or 'features' be used for the following sentence, or are both acceptable?

--
The first products in the market which features a technology that reduces power consumption and produces lesser heat, the device ...
--

My opinion is, both are correct, depending on whether 'the first products' refers to a group where the word 'features' will be acceptable, or when used as multiple 'products', the word 'feature' may be used.

Your expert advice on this is greatly appreciated.
  #2  
Old 17-Jan-2008, 02:33
No Longer With Us
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 19,449
Member Type: Other
Default Re: 'Features' - Singular or Plural

It looks as though there is a typo - "The first products" seems to link to "the device", which would indicate it should have been "The first product". If this is so, then "features" is correct.
  #3  
Old 17-Jan-2008, 02:45
Newbie
Threadstarter  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Member Type: Other
Default Re: 'Features' - Singular or Plural

In this case, the 'first products' refers to a product within a series, as in 'among the first products', but this phrase is not used because it sounds like other products in the market are also available, thus the reason for this question on whether 'The first products which features ...' is acceptable.

Thanks.
  #4  
Old 17-Jan-2008, 02:51
No Longer With Us
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 19,449
Member Type: Other
Default Re: 'Features' - Singular or Plural

If it is essential to use "first products", then you must use "feature".

However, that leads to a sentence with poor internal logic.
  #5  
Old 17-Jan-2008, 06:10
Newbie
Threadstarter  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Member Type: Other
Wink Re: 'Features' - Singular or Plural

Thank you for your advice!
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
features, plural, singular


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Singular and plural and their effects Progress Ask a Teacher 2 03-Aug-2007 14:28
Singular or plural? zigzag Ask a Teacher 3 20-Jul-2006 08:02
singular or plural? mhermy Ask a Teacher 1 18-May-2006 14:09
verbs eyescold_07 Ask a Teacher 1 08-Aug-2005 06:32
Is 'manners' plural or singular? peppy_man Ask a Teacher 1 11-Jun-2005 23:53


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:47.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.