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qhoc0010
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SC singular or plural? 06 Nov 2004, 17:54
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Please look at the below sentences.

During an alert, people need to be careful when they have to run with their Kevlar protective (gear, gears) on. They should watch their (step, steps) if it is dark.

Which one do you think correct?



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NEWKID
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SC singular or plural? 06 Nov 2004, 17:59
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:?

My attempt here. Let me know if this correct or not.

During an alert, people need to be careful when they have to run with their Kevlar protective gears on. They should watch their steps if it is dark.
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qhoc0010
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SC singular or plural? 06 Nov 2004, 18:15
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I don't really have the answer for this one. I am asking for everyone's oppinion here.
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qhoc0010
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SC singular or plural? 07 Nov 2004, 10:23
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Anyone read this:
https://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/plurals.htm

Could it be some kind of "figurative word" like below?

"All ten children had a sweet tooth"
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praveen_rao7
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SC singular or plural? 10 Nov 2004, 15:33
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When you talk about members of a collective noun, you should use plural. When you talk about collective noun as one unit you need to use singular

In this question gears and steps would be right since you are refering to induvidual members of broad group called people.
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Jaadu
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SC singular or plural? 15 Nov 2004, 23:41
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Gear and step.

When lots of people walk, they still watch your 'step'

When lots of people drink and walk, they watch their 'gait'

:wink:
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ComplexVision
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SC singular or plural? 16 Nov 2004, 06:41
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Quote:
In "The boys moved their car/cars," the plural would indicate that each boy owned a car, the singular that the boys (together) owned one car (which is quite possible). It is also possible that each boy owned more than one car. Be prepared for such situations, and consider carefully the implications of using either the singular or the plural. You might have to avoid the problem by going the opposite direction of pluralizing: moving things to the singular and talking about what each boy did.
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I got this from the website supplied by qhoc0010... As I understand, both are correct, but that might indicate different meanings :!:
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Richie Weasel
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SC singular or plural? 18 Nov 2004, 19:31
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ComplexVision
Quote:
In "The boys moved their car/cars," the plural would indicate that each boy owned a car, the singular that the boys (together) owned one car (which is quite possible). It is also possible that each boy owned more than one car. Be prepared for such situations, and consider carefully the implications of using either the singular or the plural. You might have to avoid the problem by going the opposite direction of pluralizing: moving things to the singular and talking about what each boy did.

I got this from the website supplied by qhoc0010... As I understand, both are correct, but that might indicate different meanings
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While that rule can apply in other cases, it does not apply here because there is no such thing as "protective gears."

Do a Google News search and you'll see that with the exception of the Fiji Times and the Jamaica Observer, all news services use the term "Protective gear."

Examples from various news outlets:
... making sure troops today get the best training and protective gear available ...

... for the state to purchase bulletproof vests or other protective gear for any...

The subway stop near my office was crowded with policemen in heavy protective gear.
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Richie Weasel
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SC singular or plural? 18 Nov 2004, 19:46
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Jaadu
Gear and step.

When lots of people walk, they still watch your 'step'

When lots of people drink and walk, they watch their 'gait'

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Jaadu is correct. The only exception would be if a choerographer were reminding the performers to be careful with their dance routines. In that case, always use the plural. Thus,

"I want Bob to watch his steps in the first act."

"I want the entire chorus to watch their steps in the second act."

Whenever the word is used in this manner, there is an elliptical "dance" in front of steps.



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