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When is plural applied?

From:David Zitzelsberger <davidz@...>
Date:Wednesday, April 14, 2004, 16:19
Had an interesting thought.

Are the dishes clean?

pl      pl

Is this stuff clean?

si      si but implies plural

How do other languages handle the pluralness of nouns that represent a
plural idea (inherently mass).

I can think of three solutions to this:
	1. It's singular so use singular verb
	2. It's a mass so use plural verb
	3. It's a special case so use a separate case

My American uses number 1. Do any other languages (NAT and CON) use the
other two?

Replies

Gary Shannon <fiziwig@...>
Joe <joe@...>
Philippe Caquant <herodote92@...>