[Grammar] when to use runner-up and when to use runners-up?

Status
Not open for further replies.

buchuamitan

New member
Joined
Mar 29, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Telugu
Home Country
India
Current Location
United Arab Emirates
Dear all

It all started when my friend pointed out what he thought was a mistake in my resume.
the line was:
"Was runner-up in cricket matches in 2011-12"
There was only one cup for which we played during that season. So I thought runner-up was appropriate.

But now I don't know when runners-up is used. I read somewhere that Roger Federer has a lot of runners-up spots.

Could you please tell me when I should use runner-up and runners-up correctly?
 

probus

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
The phrase in your resume was correct. Runners-up is just the plural of runner-up. You can use it when there is more than one runner-up.
 

buchuamitan

New member
Joined
Mar 29, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Telugu
Home Country
India
Current Location
United Arab Emirates
The phrase in your resume was correct. Runners-up is just the plural of runner-up. You can use it when there is more than one runner-up.

thank you. :up: . Now I can boast that I was right.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
"Was runner-up in cricket matches in 2011-12"
That line sound strange too me. You were, I imagine, a member of the cricket team who were runners up in the 2011-12 cup competition.
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
That line sound strange too me. You were, I imagine, a member of the cricket team who were runners up in the 2011-12 cup competition.

I agree. A cricket match is played between two teams, so if you were the runner-up, you were on the losing side.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top