For example, "there are 0 comments" not "there is 0 comment."
2006-11-09 13:04:07 · 7 answers · asked by presidentrichardnixon 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Similarly, why is "no" plural: e.g., "there are no comments"?
2006-11-09 14:43:09 · update #1
Zero is neither plural nor singular. It expresses nullity (Hence, it is not singular because it's not 1; Nor it is plural since it's not at least 2). Saying "There are 0 comments" or "There is 0 comment" are both syntactically correct. In both sentences, 0 (zero) is just a qualifier of comment/comments, specifically as an adjective.
2006-11-09 13:20:11 · answer #1 · answered by matheson 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What a strange question! Yet, intriguing. Because, similarly, a politician might say "No comment" to reporters, but we'd say "There are no comments in the suggestion box." Maybe because there is the possibility that there could be loads and loads of comments if only someone would get around to doing it?
Whereas the politician would probably make only one comment if s/he was going to do so? (-: That can't be right! Politicians LOVE to talk!
Good luck finding the answer!
2006-11-09 21:11:09 · answer #2 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm inclined to agree with Matheson. It depends on how zero is used, adjective, noun, or verb.
As a noun, zero is singular, zeros is plural. There is a zero in the comment bar. They could use ten zeros and it would still mean zero comment(s).
As a verb, she zeros in on the target. Now we are talking tenses.
In the sense that you are referring, it's like asking if NO is singular or plural.
=)
2006-11-09 22:18:27 · answer #3 · answered by 1nextdoor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a really good question, it really has me scratching my head, the only thing i can think of is that it can't be singular. (1) would be the only singular number. zero is neither singular or plural. there would be possibilities of having more than 1 answer in that case, so it is plural in the sentence.
2006-11-09 21:08:38 · answer #4 · answered by Yee Haw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that plural is anything that is not singular which is only 1.
2006-11-09 21:08:51 · answer #5 · answered by generic person#32340798 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting thought....but not always true.
For example, someone could say "There is zero chance of that happening."
2006-11-09 21:17:50 · answer #6 · answered by ezgoin92 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dunno
why is it a pair of pants and not a pant?
2006-11-09 21:06:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋