Mistakes

[coolheaded]

Hello dear teachers.

someone asked me about the mistakes in the following sentences but I could not find any mistake:

1- Each river and ravine create an obstacle in the cross-country race.

2-The execution of exquisite decoration and the effective use of space, light,and water contributes to the Alhambra's unique beauty.


Thanks in advance.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello dear teachers.

someone asked me about the mistakes in the following sentences but I could not find any mistake:

1- Each river and ravine create an obstacle in the cross-country race. "Each river and ravine creates..." is correct but many people would use "create".

2-The execution of exquisite decoration and the effective use of space, light,and water contributes to the Alhambra's unique beauty. "contribute" is correct but many people would use "contributes".


Thanks in advance.

Bhai.

 

[5jj]

1- Each river and ravine create an obstacle in the cross-country race.

Each + noun requires a singular verb - creates

2-The execution of exquisite decoration and the effective use of space, light,and water contributes to the Alhambra's unique beauty.

A and B (plural) contribute ...

I wouldn't be too downhearted. Quite a few native speakers make this sort of mistake.

 

[5jj]

Once again we have two great minds coming up with the same thoughts at the same time.

 

[coolheaded]

Thanks a lot Bhai and fivejedjon

 

[Richard1]

Hi,

1. It depends on whether river and ravine are regarded as a tied together combination. If tied together effectively as a single subject then 'creates' singular would be correct. If you mean river and ravine are mutually exclusive and hence regarded as plural subjects, then 'create' is correct.

2. This is similar. Are you talking about the combination of space light and water, if so 'contributes', otherwise 'contribute'

Rgds

 

[5jj]

1. It depends on whether river and ravine are regarded as a tied together combination. If tied together effectively as a single subject then 'creates' singular would be correct. If you mean river and ravine are mutually exclusive and hence regarded as plural subjects, then 'create' is correct.
No. Each river and (each) ravine can be as mutually exclusive as you like. 'Create' may be commonly used, but is not correct to the formal grammarian

Each river and ravine in the USA is beautiful in its own way

2. This is similar. Are you talking about the combination of space light and water, if so 'contributes', otherwise 'contribute'
No. The combination of space, light and water is irrelevant. What makes the plural verb "correct" is the 'and' between 'the execution of exquisite decoration' and 'the effective use of ...' We have two things (ie plural) making up the grammatical subject of the verb.

5