Help me with it???????????????

Status
Not open for further replies.

I'm still learning

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Bengali; Bangla
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
Okay, here is the sentecnes.

"You're one of those friends of mine who KEEP / KEEPS in touch with me"

Should I write "KEEP" or "KEEPS"? As far as I remember, I was taught that it would always be KEEP when referring to many. But since I'm pointing at the ONE out of many, should I not write KEEPS?

Please give reasons as to why I should / should not write the word KEEP.

Another case: -

"I'm the LORD your God who takes care of ........."

See, in this case, "TAKES" has been used when God is referring to Himself.

Why TAKES?? Why not TAKE?? Give reasons...


Thanks in advance
 

TheParser

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Okay, here is the sentecnes.

"You're one of those friends of mine who KEEP / KEEPS in touch with me"

Should I write "KEEP" or "KEEPS"? As far as I remember, I was taught that it would always be KEEP when referring to many. But since I'm pointing at the ONE out of many, should I not write KEEPS?

Please give reasons as to why I should / should not write the word KEEP.

Another case: -

"I'm the LORD your God who takes care of ........."

See, in this case, "TAKES" has been used when God is referring to Himself.

Why TAKES?? Why not TAKE?? Give reasons...


Thanks in advance

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning.

(1) You have asked a wonderful question that also confuses native

speakers.

(2) In your first sentence, ask these questions:

(a) You are one of what?

(b) Those friends (of mine).

(c) What kind of friends (of mine)?

(d) Those friendS WHO KEEP. ...

(3) But look:

You are the only one of my friends who ___ in touch.

(a) Erase "of my friends" from your mind.

(b) You are the only ONE WHO KEEPS in touch.

Have a nice day!
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Okay, here is the sentecnes.

"You're one of those friends of mine who KEEP / KEEPS in touch with me"

Should I write "KEEP" or "KEEPS"? As far as I remember, I was taught that it would always be KEEP when referring to many. But since I'm pointing at the ONE out of many, should I not write KEEPS?

Please give reasons as to why I should / should not write the word KEEP.

Your reasoning is correct. You are referring to one friend, therefore that one (he/she/it - 3rd person singular) = keeps.

Another case: -

"I'm the LORD your God who takes care of ........."

See, in this case, "TAKES" has been used when God is referring to Himself.

Why TAKES?? Why not TAKE?? Give reasons...

If you add in the (unspoken) words in this sentence, you get "I'm the lord, your God who is the person who takes care of......" The person (he/she/it - 3rd person singular) = takes.

Thanks in advance

Basically, when you are using a verb after the word "who" in this kind of construction, all singular forms take the 3rd person singular form:

I am the person who keeps you safe.
I am the one who keeps you safe.
He is the guy who works the hardest.
You (sing) are the person who likes me the most.

All plural forms take the plural form of the verb:

We are the people who keep you safe.
We are the ones who keep you safe.
They are the guys who work the hardest.
You (plural) are the people who like me the most.
 

corum

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
You're one of [those friends of mine who keep in touch with me.]

The head of the antecedent of 'who' is 'friends' with which 'who' covertly agrees in number and person. 'who' assigns its relevant features to the verb 'keep', which is "manifested" in the attached zero suffix of 'keep'.
 

corum

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
Basically, when you are using a verb after the word "who" in this kind of construction, all singular forms take the 3rd person singular form:

I am the person who keeps you safe.
I am the one who keeps you safe.
He is the guy who works the hardest.
You (sing) are the person who likes me the most.

I am [the person who keeps you safe]
I am [the one who keeps...]
guy who works

In all these example sentences, the verb is governed not by 'I' but by the (pro)noun that immediatelly precedes the verb.
:)
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Yes, my underlining may have confused the issue. I was trying to make the point that despite the fact that it is "I", the relevant part is "who" followed by the 3rd person singular of the verb.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top