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Should "my comment" and "my thought" use singular form or plural form while commenting about a single item?

English Language & Usage Asked on November 29, 2020

Is this the correct way to write the following sentences?

  1. Here is my comment on the book To Kill a Mockingbird.
  2. Here is my thought on the book To Kill a Mockingbird.

Or should we use the plural form of the word "comment" and "thought" while writing such sentences. For example,

  1. Here are my comments on the book To Kill a Mockingbird.
  2. Here are my thoughts on the book To Kill a Mockingbird.

In all cases I am going to write only a single paragraph of comment on the book. Does that count as a single comment or comments?

One Answer

According to the usual rule a plural is used for the verb if the subject is plural; this is so in formal writing (basic rule); however, in the spoken language it is different: particular cases.

What is also needed in your formulation is italics for the title (ref.).

  • Here is/are my comment/s on the book To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Here is/are my thought/s on the book To Kill a Mockingbird.

In the first sentence, if a simple comment is what has been asked then a singular should be used. If a lengthier piece of writing has been required of you, a plural is better.

In the second sentence, a singular would be something exceptional; given the rare possibility that a teacher asked you to mention in a short exercise a thought about a book, then the singular is proper. If the exercise has to do with developing on a single thought of yours, then this developing will consist of a succession of thoughts and in this case neither the singular nor the plural would be a wise choice, a change of term being the best you might do (Here are my idea on… (for instance)), but then the matter is not a whole book; so you are not concerned by that. If what has been asked is your thoughts, then, evidently you should use a plural (Here are my thoughts…).

The choice depends on the complexity of what you write and on the length you intend to give to your paragraph; you do not have to treat only one idea or thought in a given paragraph. You more or less must treat a short subject, involving possibly several connected ideas or thoughts.

Answered by LPH on November 29, 2020

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