Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[kenpapa]

Which one is gramatically correct about "join"?

a) His shoulders were small, joined two long arms.
b) His shoulders were small, joining two long arms.

Kenpapa

[lotus]

Hi kenpapa,

When we speak of shoulders (anatomically autonomous), we usually infer only one. When we speak of shoulders in general or personally, they are plural.

Shoulders are attached to the collar bone.
His shoulders were drooping.

In your case, you might say:

His small shoulders were joined by two long arms.

Or:

He had small shoulders, each joining a long arm.


--lotus