Monday, August 30, 2010
Blog Summary 1: Is WHO really singular?
Chalker's article examines the role of "who" in certain grammatical situations. She argues that Professor Leech's view that a probing "who" as a subject is a singular verb even when a plural answer can be given. He suggests that in this instance the "who" is singular and if used as a plural, it is grammatically incorrect. The author of "Is WHO really singular", disagrees. She states that both singular and plural verbs are acceptable and okay to use if necessary to indicate a plural answer. She argues that the interrogative "who" isn't just grammatically singular or plural but the actual link to the meaning of it in a sentence. "Who" as a subject can convey various meanings in a sentence whether singular or plural.
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I agree with the author of "Is who really singular" because grammar has so many exceptions that sometimes it does matter how it is being used in a sentence. Many times people use who in the wrong way based on how they feel and as I learned from Ms. Voss you shouldn't make a grammer decision based off feelings. ;)
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what the author states. I, for the longest time was one of those individuals who would use the word "who" in the wrong way. I went off feeling. In high school, I had a teacher who stressed what the author of this article is discussing. It was understood then that you had to read the sentence/sentences for what they were, and most times it does matter how "who" is being used in a sentence.
ReplyDeleteI agree what the author says, to me grammar to me at times is confusing with all the rules. I often find myself using many words wrong and getting them mixed up with the other same sounding words. I used to just not think and put what i thought was right but, many times I was often wrong. I think now it is important to make sure that the right meaning of words.
ReplyDeleteThis article by Miss Chalker is one that makes you think outside of the box. That box to me to me is from my days in elementary school through my freshman year in college. Now the way I have always used 'who' is the way that looks and sounds the best but in the tricky English language and grammar I now with the help of English teachers and my own research know that the way 'who' and other words in the English language may be skewed from our beliefs. Therefore, the author of this article is correct yet, Mr. Leech is not entirely wrong with his statement.
ReplyDeleteI dont remember using "Who" as plural. I always thought 'who' was singular, not because of the grammar rules, but because it just "sounds" right. from what I have been learning so far a lot of things that "sounds" right is not always correct. So I can understand why he believes that who can only be singular, but that does not make it correct. This article was interesting and informal.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the blogger and the author of Is Who Really Singular? It seems like the author really did their research on the different uses of the word Who. To feel that Who is singular is understandable but it still remains that is undetermined if Who is in fact pluaral or singular. They should just agree to disagree.
ReplyDeleteI also thought "who" was always supposed to be singular. The aurthor was well researched and the article was informing and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author of this article. Sometimes you have to look at the word in its context because there are so many grammar rules. I have always thought who was singular because it sounded right but now know that it is incorrect to base such things on whether or not a word sounds right.
ReplyDeleteThe english language has so many rules and exceptions it becomes difficult to learn for some people. I concur with the author in the fact that there are certain instances when "who" may be used in singular form and plural form. As students we have been learning the english language since we were young, and observing different rules and exceptions that seem to occur in our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author because, who and whom are oftenly used in the wrong form. Especially in writing, this throws the reader off and confuses him/her. Even before I read this article I thought who was singular, but now it is time for me to change this concept.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author because there are so many grammar rules and it is very hard to keep track of all them; especially when you are under the stress of something like writing a paper. Who and whom have always confused me on which was the best to use. Now I understand that there is a difference.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author. Who and whom can really be confusing to some because some people don't know how to use it. However, using the rules can help you determine when to use who and when to use whom.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author because even I sometimes use who and whom in the wrong form before I even realized that I was doing it. I'm now aware of the difference between the two now so I won't make that mistake again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author. There are many grammar rules that we have to learn in school, but we later do not use them correctly. It is still very confusing on which one to use who/whom. I always saw who as being the singular form though. When using the grammar rules, we all can learn how to use who/who verbally correct.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author. I know i have messed up on when to use who and whom before. Now with practice i have now managed to hopefully correct the way i use both who and whom.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author also. I never used whom in any of my papers. At first I really didn't know when to use whom but now i understand. Now I know when to either use who or whom.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the author. Knowing when to use who and whom is much more difficult then it seems. I actually was never taught the correct way to use the words. After much practice, Im glad I know now.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it is correct to speak a word that is plural in circumstances of plurality. However, the English language is very unstable and inconclusive on so many differnt topics. We can give our own personal opinion, but when it actually comes down to the issue, it is each individual's perspective and understanding that leads to the next generation's style of speaking. I do think the author's intent is understandable. It is humankind's role to attempt to discover the truths and systems around us. However, some things we will never be able to pin down.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author. It can be difficult to determine when to use who or whom. I am from a small town in southern Illinois and not very many people speak proper English. Like most people I just got use to the slang and improper use of words. Even when “whom” is the correct word to use, verbally saying it sounds awkward to me. After reading this article I feel more informed.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the author of the article. I also feel that who doesn't have a definitive meaning for its usage, rather, its usage is dictated by the other words in the sentence. Whether the words who is used to inquire about are singular or plural normally is the deciding factor in which form of the word should be used. (Who and Whom) Personally, I haven't had many problems with this topic because most of the time I can figure out which one should be used by which one "sounds" better. Although I didn't have problems, this article helped me understand why other people would and I could see how it could be difficult for someone that's not well-schooled grammatically. Another possible reason for someone not having a grasp of this concept is the way the word was used by people they were around, if you only hear something one way, whether its right or wrong, it will be right to you until you are taught formally.
ReplyDelete~Justin Jones~