Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

(1) Have you seen my car keys?
(2) Have you seen my car key?

Which do you use, (1) or (2)? I think that the car key is only one key when you start running the engine, so (2) is better. However, some text says only (1).

Could you explain it?

Thank you in advance.

[pugachevV]

Technically, you should say "Have you seen my car keys?" if you have more than one key on your keyring. And "Have you seen my car key?" if you have only one. In practice, most of us say "Car keys", even if there's only one.

[learner12]

Dear pugachevV:

Thank you so much for your quick replies and informative answers.

Take care and have a nice day!!

[pugachevV]

You're welcome, learner12