SC-deciding singular / plural + refferent rule

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SC-deciding singular / plural + refferent rule [#permalink]

12 Jan 2006, 20:57

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Hi guys,

Can you please help me with this

A) He is the only one of the students who [u]has already taken latin[/u].

Or

B) He is the only one of the students who [quote]have already taken latin[/quote].

I would go for B since 'who' I think means students - reason immediate proximity - refferent rule.

Also is the meaning he is the only one (with dyed hair) among those who have taken latin - as in B?

or he is the only one who has taken latin among the students - as in A

Meaning is more clear in A - but refferent rule points to B

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Re: SC-deciding singular / plural + refferent rule [#permalink]

13 Jan 2006, 06:12

old_dream_1976 wrote:

Hi guys,

Can you please help me with this

A) He is the only one of the students who has already taken latin.

Or

B) He is the only one of the students who

Quote:

have already taken latin

.

I would go for B since 'who' I think means students - reason immediate proximity - refferent rule.

Also is the meaning he is the only one (with dyed hair) among those who have taken latin - as in B?

or he is the only one who has taken latin among the students - as in A

Meaning is more clear in A - but refferent rule points to B

I would choose First sentence.

In the First sentence:
He is the only one of the students who has already taken latin.

We have used 'only one', it means he is the only guy who has taken latin and noone else has taken latin.

'who have' will be used when we say:

He is one of the students who have already taken latin.

I am not sure but it is just my understanding.
Anyone who knows rule might add more details or correct me if I am wrong.

Regards,
Brajesh

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Re: SC-deciding singular / plural + refferent rule [#permalink]

13 Jan 2006, 08:22

old_dream_1976 wrote:

Hi guys,

Can you please help me with this

A) He is the only one of the students who has already taken latin.

Or

B) He is the only one of the students who

Quote:

have already taken latin

I agree with b14kumar that we have to count on the meaning of the sentence, to see to whom/which the "who" clause really refers to/ modifies.
In the first sentence, we are talking about the unique characteristic of "he" ..how it is, only "who" clause makes it clear that he "has taken Latin" ---> who clause directly modifies the subject " he" ---> the verb should be "has"

In the second one, we're talking about a "he" belonging to a group. How that group is? ..."who" clause makes it clear: a group of those who have taken Latin --> "who" clause modifies "students" ---> verb should be "have".

The sentence in this case falls into the first type --> A is better.

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Re: SC-deciding singular / plural + refferent rule [#permalink]

13 Jan 2006, 16:52

Why do I feel both are wrong ? Are these rephrasings correct ?

He is the only student who has already taken latin. // he is the only guy

He is one of the students who have already taken latin. // he is one of the many

The second sentence has the words "the only one of the" which to me is quite unidiomatic.

old_dream_1976 wrote:

Hi guys,

Can you please help me with this

A) He is the only one of the students who has already taken latin.

Or

B) He is the only one of the students who

Quote:

have already taken latin

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[#permalink]

13 Jan 2006, 18:07

Please check out:

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/SubjectVerb.html

[#permalink] 13 Jan 2006, 18:07

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