plural or singular?

Question

some americans use singular when they have to use plural

for example,,,,i like tattoos on girls,,,, sometimes they say like,,i like a tattoo on girls,,,,

or,,,i like girls in a skirt,,,

is it ok in conversation?

Answer 1

Ordinarily the numbers have to match for this sort of general statement -- girls/skirts, a girl/a skirt.

In the first example you give, someone who says "a tattoo on girls" MAY be trying to make it clear that they are NOT talking about girls who have MULTIPLE tattoos. But the best way out of this is to make BOTH terms singular -- "I like a girl with a tattoo." And of course, "I like a girl with tattoos" is fine.

As for "girls in a skirt". It is incorrect, but I would not make such a big deal of it for casual conversation. (Note that in this case, there should be no concern about using the singular "skirt" to avoid confusion. since it is extremely doubtful we're contemplating a girl wearing several skirts at the same time!)

Answer 2

The Americans you're listening to don't know how to speak properly. There is a difference between casual conversation and more formal situations, but some things are just wrong - and those are two of them. If someone said either of those to me, I don't think I could resist saying to the first, "Which tattoo is it that you like?" and to the second, "Just how many girls DO you like in a skirt?" Yes, I have more than a bit of Frazier in me.

Answer 3

Readers Opinions why? because when u write it as "Reader's Opinions" it's saying to us "Reader is opinions" like 'it's'. It means "it is" Adding s without the appostrophe makes it singular though. Readers' would make it plural.

Answer 4

hm. Interesting question. In a conversation, I imagine it's okay. If someone were to say something to you about you could tell them to get the rod out of their ***. LOL Grammatically, no I don't believe it's at all correct.

Answer 5

it's okay in conversation if you feel like being grammatically incorrect.