What do you call more then one moose? |
You bought some new gears? They sell audio gears. I don't think so. I saw some deers on the way to work (Nope) Now, "let's drink some beers" is probably wrong (could be slang), but "how many beers" is correct. Check with Brittany Spear (or Spears?) |
in american english usage, "gear" is a collective noun that refers to a group of things regarded as a unit. hence, there is generally no plural form needed or appropriate. the verb form for many collective nouns is different, however, in american vs. british english. here, for example, we say "the jury was polled," while across the pond "the jury were polled" is the preferred usage. -cfb |
and cfb, when is the last time you've had some corns? (Other than if your shoes don't fit.)
Sincerely, I remain |
Not to be a party pooper, (and I've never been accused of being p.c.), but I've gotten the impression that this may just be an artifact of some folks difficulty with English. |
craig: you may be correct but i see nothing wrong with a little polite discourse on english usage. like it or not, english is the language of the 'net. BTW, it should be "some folks'." :o) -kelly |
Then again, I suppose that if you were speaking metaphorically with the individual components each representing respective cogs in the chain, you could use "gears" in that context. But I think it's a stretch.
Cornfed gets the cigar for his "collective noun" answer. I'll buy that. :)
I actually know a couple of reviewers who use "gears" improperly in print, so it's no wonder that folks are confused as to the term's proper usage. |
meant to address my last post to michael (swampwalker) not craig. oops! -cfb |
New gears? Only for my Ford Mustang! I like 3.73:1 gears the best. They really get you in the powerband quick. And when I'm not "banging gears," I can haul most of my gear in the back with the seats down (sans speakers). All my gear.
Though I wish I'd kept the 2.73:1 gears. The stereo gear would slide around less since I'd be shifting gears less often. And we all know _shifting gears_ will definitely cause your _gear to shift_. That's a lot of gear! gears? :-/ I need to lie down. (or is it *lay*, LOL. pun not intended!) I NEED HELP! |
2.73 gears? what do you want to do 250mph? 4.11 tops out at 160 mph but will do it in 1/4 mile or is it 1/4 miles. I was never any good at English! |
Plato: No, it is not proper useage in the US, but it "kits" Vs "kit" perhaps proper? |
Yeah guys, 3.73:1, that was my favorite gear too, for my '67 Z28 Camaro back in the day. 4.11:1 had great bottom end and midrange power but rolled off the top end, whereas the 2.73:1 had great top end but no bottom octave horsepower... Always trade-offs! |
I like 3:55's with a T5, but with an AOD... |
Hi Sugarbrie.
Drinking "some beers" IS correct if you mean several different brands. Drinking some "beer" if you're not differentiating, no?
The stranger usage to my ear involves the British use of "kit" for "system".
Can you believe those Patriots?! |
Subaruguru, first you mention the British term of "kit" for "system" then you call them Patriots. Where are your loyalties on this long past war? ; ^). |
Yep 2.73s were a joke. If I remember right with 2.73s and a t5 5speed, I would only pull 1200rpm @ 60MPH in top gear. Pretty much only a fast idle for a windsor 302ci. You'd get awesome fuel economy. But who cares about fuel economy on a muscle car, really??!? :-) |
I mean the bloody football Patriots, of course, Albert.
And not British "football", either, of course. Oy! |
