Freeguy
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2013
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- Persian
- Home Country
- Iran
- Current Location
- Iran
According to Micheal Swan's book, After expressions like one in three, one out of five + plural noun, both singular and plural verbs are possible.
Ex: One in three new cars break/breaks down in the first years.
I've asked this question from some native English teachers from USA or Australia. They strongly claim that this sentence doesn't work in Modern English. However, I don't agree with them because Swan's books are very up-to-date ones. Would you please share your opinions with me? I really want to know is there any possibility to use ONE IN THREE with a plural verb in formal writing or not.
Thanks
Ex: One in three new cars break/breaks down in the first years.
I've asked this question from some native English teachers from USA or Australia. They strongly claim that this sentence doesn't work in Modern English. However, I don't agree with them because Swan's books are very up-to-date ones. Would you please share your opinions with me? I really want to know is there any possibility to use ONE IN THREE with a plural verb in formal writing or not.
Thanks