Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Tetsu]

I posted a similar topic titled "Sigular or plural?" on April 27. Teachers have given me clear answers to some of the questions in "Sigular or plural?". I understand them enough. But some of the questions are left not answered and I still have some ambiguity. Would you teach me a little more? My question is as follows.


I have two questions, Q1 and Q2.

Q1: In each set of sentences, which is commonly used in casual and spoken English?
Q2: In each set of sentences, which is commonly used in formal and writen English?

S11: There is transparent water and yellow water.
S12: There are transparent water and yellow water.

S21:There is optical information and electronic information.
S22:There are optical information and electronic information.

S31:Transparent water and yellow water was mixed.
S32:Transparent water and yellow water were mixed.

S41:Optical information and electronic information was broken.
S42:Optical information and electronic information were broken.

Thanks a lot for the help.
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Tetsu

[MrPedantic]

Hello Tetsu

I would take sentences S11, S21, S32, and S42 as the correct forms, in both informal and formal (British) English.

It may be that other speakers who speak other dialects would choose differently, though!

MrP

[Lorikeet]

I agree with MrPedantic, and I speak American English.

[Tetsu]

Hello MrPedantic,
Hello Lorikeet

I'm so happy to know S11, S21, S32, and S42 as the correct forms, in both informal and formal English in both southern England and San Francisco, the two cultural and economical centers of the world. My ambiguity is gone away.

Thanks a lot for your kind helps! Thanks!
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Tetsu