Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

sejpdw · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 217 Location: Korea

" I am a Korean. I heard from a man many things about Swiss politics.
One of the most different characteristics was that Swizerland is a neutral country. "

In this sentence, "most different" is possible?

Mallaien · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: most different

what I might change is this...

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

Sorry to disagree, but I would have to say that the verb must be "is" or "was," not "are" or "were," since the subject of the sentence is "one," not "characteristics."

As for the original sentence, I think it would be more natural and correct to say, "One of the most distinct characteristics is that Switzerland is a neutral country."
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Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

Even before I read CP's reply, I was thinking along the same lines. I would prefer something like "one of the most prominent/distinct characteristics..."

Mallaien · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:16 am Post subject:

I agree with both of you. I think I scrambled my brain trying to decode the original. That and a lack of sleep, I live on eastern standard time in America.

I guess if I spent a bit more time reconstucting the sentance, I would have seen it. My one trouble is gauging the skill of the poster so I can help them without going over there skill level.
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