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Author Topic: quick question for the grammar people  (Read 2398 times)

Offline LaylaMonroe

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quick question for the grammar people
« on: June 21, 2012, 10:24:44 AM »
I'm copy editing a presentation and having a brain freeze. Google didn't help and my reference book will take too long because I can't remember how the rule would be referenced (I thought it would be subj/verb agreement, but I didn't find a close example there)... Anyway.

The sentence reads: "The winners, chosen and recognized monthly, will receive a token along with a collection device that associates can display on their desk."

I thought it should be "on their desks"?

Which is it?
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Offline JustBritt

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2012, 10:29:19 AM »
Saying desks sounds weird in my head, in real life. Not in the sentence you've given but just.... yeah.

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Offline MissMusic04

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2012, 10:29:30 AM »
I would say desks. Only because winners is plural.

It just sounds right, lol. Is it right? Not sure!

Offline Fenix

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2012, 10:32:11 AM »
"desks" is right. Saying "desk" implies that there is just one desk for all the winners.
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Offline sjonathan02

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2012, 10:34:17 AM »
I would say desks. Only because winners is plural.

It just sounds right, lol. Is it right? Not sure!

I believe on their desk works because the phrase speaks to each of the winning associates placing the collection item on his/her own desk.

Is it possible that both can work?
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Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2012, 10:35:17 AM »
LOL. Thanks guys. That's what I thought. I almost never hesitate like I did just now... it was weird. ?/?
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Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2012, 10:35:42 AM »
I believe on their desk works because the phrase speaks to each of the winning associates placing the collection item on his/her own desk.

I don't think that's the rule.

UGH. Now you're confusing me. Geesh. *sigh*
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Offline Arkhams Finest

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2012, 10:36:51 AM »
I believe on their desk works because the phrase speaks to each of the winning associates placing the collection item on his/her own desk.

I wouldn't say "they put their hats on their head and left".

I'd say "they put their hats on their heads and left".

...actually I wouldn't word it like that at all, but you get what I mean.   :D
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Offline sjonathan02

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2012, 10:37:20 AM »
I don't think that's the rule.

UGH. Now you're confusing me. Geesh. *sigh*

Didn't mean to do that.  Go with your gut (and the majority) and use 'desks.'
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Offline sjonathan02

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2012, 10:38:51 AM »
I wouldn't say "they put their hats on their head and left".

I'd say "they put their hats on their heads and left".

...actually I wouldn't word it like that at all, but you get what I mean.   :D

Yea, I have a problem with the wording of the entire thing myself.  :D
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Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2012, 10:41:14 AM »
I thought for sure that RJ, SJ, Fenix and Sketch would give me one answer - even if it was different from mine. This really is throwing me for a loop. Messing with my head and stuff... ugh!!!!!
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Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2012, 10:41:54 AM »
I am gonna go with "desks." I would just hate to correct something and find out I was wrong. That would really hurt.
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Offline lordluvr

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2012, 10:52:49 AM »
I'm late, but I cast my vote for "desks", with the reasoning that Fenix used.

Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2012, 11:01:26 AM »
Thanks LL. It's not too late to give me peace of mind. :)

I just turned it in with changes. I did go with desks. Thanks all.
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Offline cordney

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2012, 11:09:12 AM »
I'm late, but I cast my vote for "desks", with the reasoning that Fenix used.

+1
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Offline Fenix

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #15 on: June 21, 2012, 11:09:49 AM »
You are definitely not ready for the GRE, Mme Rue.

:)
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Offline Docdb04

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #16 on: June 21, 2012, 11:13:13 AM »
Well since you turned it in...I guess it doesn't matter.  But if you wanted to know more opinions I would have went with "on their desk".  An Associate could only have one desk and as SJ stated the phrase speaks to them individually.  However, the phrase also references more than one associate so "desks" would work as well.  This is one of those, either way it was correct.  Now if your sentenced read, "that each associate can display", it would have definitely been "desk".

   

Offline sjonathan02

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #17 on: June 21, 2012, 11:13:28 AM »
You are definitely not ready for the GRE, Mme Rue.

:)

You're so supportive.  :D
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Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #18 on: June 21, 2012, 11:17:45 AM »
You are definitely not ready for the GRE, Mme Rue.

:)

If you go back to my first post, you'll see that I gave the same answer you gave. DUH. I just second-guessed myself.

Honestly, editing for this particular person is like editing for Jonathan (or a professional grammar expert). Seriously. Her stuff is usually flawless, and I think that challenged my confidence a little bit. I felt like she couldn't possibly be wrong, so I had to be. But yeah, had this been the GRE, I would've gone with desks and been confident in my answer. You jerk dummyhead hammertoed rhinoface meaniehead!

:)
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Offline Fenix

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Re: quick question for the grammar people
« Reply #19 on: June 21, 2012, 11:19:09 AM »
**Being unnecessarily sensitive**

 >:(
The car, job, house wife/husband are not the reward, God is.
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