Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

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oursilverstrands
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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Post by oursilverstrands »

Jan wrote:Lillian, this one is beyond my expertise. Post it to Ann's forum...
..."but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how each of us, toddlers and adults, deals with risk in our own way.

Okay, Ann, do I pass or fail with the above sentence as it relates to subject and verb? Is "each of us" plural or singular? I took the risk based on what I think I know and chose singular. "Each of us deals..." But then the phrase "toddlers and adults requires the plural "deals," and they fuel my uncertainty; make me think that I could be wrong.

So which one is it? I'm sure there's a link to a lesson on this somewhere. Thanks.

Lillian (trying not to grow rusty during my writing hiatus
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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Post by jeff elohim2 »

fwiw, /compare?/

"each of us " go
or
"each of us " goes

>>
he/she goes
they go
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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Post by Anja »

Just getting to this, Lillian.

"Each" is the noun and is singular. So use the appropriate verb.

"Toddlers and adults" is extra information, parenthetical, so remove it (in your head) to complete the sentence's structure.

"but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how each of us, (toddlers and adults,) deals with risk in our own way."

So "deals" is correct.

However, I would change "way" to "ways," since "our" is plural.

I will post a lesson on using each, all, every, etc. when I return. Taking my granddaughter to Victoria tomorrow!
Ann Grover Stocking

"What remains of a story after it is finished? Another story..." Eli Wiesel
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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Post by oursilverstrands »

Thanks, Ann. I wish I had your energy! :D Have fun.

Lillian
When Youth Fades
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I have a love affair with words. I write, even when I think I can't. I'm hooked on words!

"Let words bewitch you. Scrutinze them, mull them, savor them, and in combination, until you see their subtle differences and the ways they tint each other." Francis Flaherty
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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Post by oursilverstrands »

Oh, but wait. I understand now that "toddlers and adults" are parenthetical, but how does "each" become "our own ways?" If I remove the extra information it would read:

"but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how each of us deals with risk in our own ways."

Since each of us is singular, why would we use the plural pronoun "our? " Would it not be "his or her own way?

Thanks, Lillian
When Youth Fades
Available at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+youth+f ... nb_sb_noss/

Fortunate 500


I have a love affair with words. I write, even when I think I can't. I'm hooked on words!

"Let words bewitch you. Scrutinze them, mull them, savor them, and in combination, until you see their subtle differences and the ways they tint each other." Francis Flaherty
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Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Post by Anja »

In that case, change the "each" to "all" and "deals" to "deal."

"but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how all of us deal with risk in our own ways."

Which makes better sense, I think. I often reword a sentence if it isn't clear or if I don't know if it's right.
Ann Grover Stocking

"What remains of a story after it is finished? Another story..." Eli Wiesel
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