Use of language

I THANK you for publishing my letter on the lexical entry, ‘summer.’ I did not find any relevance for your ‘Editor’s Note’ on the word.
It added to the expansion of knowledge. So thanks again. However, I do have another issue, and this concerns the all important subject of ‘agreement’ within English Grammaticality. Again, I cannot over emphasize how important it is for teachers and media operatives to be au fait with the ‘rules’ of ‘language use.’
Actual words do change quite rapidly. There can be addition, obsoletion, semantic shifts, phonological variations and orthographical alternatives.
However, actual syntactical changes take seemingly forever. It is in this regard, that I offer the following explanations, and these comments are based upon two common mistakes. My aim yet again is not to belittle or disparage, but simply and humbly to start and contribute to a healthy discussion.
In the letter, “Hats off to President Jagdeo” by Baldeo Mathura, in the Guyana Chronicle,
Friday, 22 July 2011 01:35, the excerpt reads:

“…So what do I suggest? First, that Akbar Muhammad decides on one proper name. This will obviate a lot of difficulties. Secondly, that he consider suing the FBI…”

Editor, please note the inconsistency in “…that Akbar Muhammad decides…” and “…, that he consider…” In both instances, the verbs should not be conjugated. They should be “decide” and “consider.”  Here is the explanation.
This type of construction in the English Language employs the use of what is called the present subjunctive. Here are other examples.
1. The president is asking that everyone decide on what to do… (As against the simple declarative: Everyone decides what to do with his/her own time).
2. I am requesting that he come at nine in the morning… (As against the simple declarative: He comes at nine…)
A good way the British make allowances for the present subjunctive is by the use of the modal “should.” So one can have:
1. …that everyone (should) decide on what to do. 
2. …that he (should) come at nine in the morning.
Secondly, in the letter, “Maxwellian thinking is more like Maxwellian fabrications,” by Thomas Cole, Guyana Chronicle, Thursday, 28 July 2011 02:38, the excerpt reads:

“..I sincerely hope that he quickly changes.”

This again is another use of language requiring the present subjunctive. Please note that the action is in the offing-not yet taking place. It is not the simple declarative (He changes his fashion yearly).

My final point is based on the error in the Guyana Chronicle, “Increased nurses training,” Wednesday, 27 July 2011 01:10. The excerpt reads:

“One of the difficulties which limits the effectiveness and efficiency of health care systems is that in many instances there are people in the nursing profession…… “

You see, in constructions like these:
One of them who…; One of the dogs which…; One of the boards that…; etc. the verb must take the plural agreement always. For example:
1. One of them who are here is John. (So they are here, but one of them is John)
2. One of the dogs which bite is Sparky. (So the dogs bite, but Sparky is one of them)
3. One of the boards that are leaking is loose. (So the boards are leaking, but one is loose)
All the above are really two sentences, as shown below.
1.      (They are here). (One of them is John).
2.      (The dogs bite). (One of the dogs is Sparky).
3.      (The boards are leaking). (One of the boards is loose).

In all three examples, the relative pronouns (who, which, that) represent a plural pronoun (them, dogs and boards), so the verb must agree in number.
I reiterate and even ‘tri-iterate’ and as a matter of fact, I iterate ad infinitum, that my comments stem from a concern, and not to attack nor criticize anyone.

I am still learning and I hope to keep learning. I think that teachers and media operatives must go that ‘extra mile.’ I thank my esteemed tutors, namely Dr. Joyce Jonas, Professors Joyce Loncke and Ian Robertson, Mr. Alim Hosein, Ms. Romona Bennett, Ms. Miller and Mr. Derek Archer. I also thank God for my money, which gave me my books.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.