(no subject)

[avrelia]

A disadvantage of a big city: even if you leave home reasonably early, it doesn’t mean that you will be in time where you plan to be.

::kicks the transit::

I love studying grammar! Who would think? I don’t necessarily pick up all the right answers, but sometimes I get to convince native English speakers that I am right and they are not, which is very gratifying. I also turn into an annoying student who stays after the class and asks silly questions: why a ship is “she”? (for example)

Long gone the days when I was a normal kind of a student who sits quietly through the class and leaves as soon as it is over, answers direct questions and spends time happily doing about her own business (reading Agatha Christie, chatting, writing a long-winded poem about a prosecutor, etc.)

I also have a problem with one sentence. Could you help me?

Michael is one of the boys who like classical music.

Michael is one of the boys who likes classical music.

Are both of them right? Or only the second one? I stand by the opinion the first one is right, too. What do you think?

Comments

[skylee.livejournal.com]

Eh, I am no good at grammar, but I'm thinking the first one? If not, then both. Maybe? *g*

Grammar is just extremely confusing for me, heh.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Grammar is just extremely confusing for me.

It is cofusing. Even when I know the rules. ::sigh::

[fer1213.livejournal.com]

Okay, grammar geek here!!

The second on is right because Michael is *one*. "One" likes. Hee.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

My teachers think the same way. So, I am probably wrong. Here is my reasoning though:

We have two sentences here – Michael is one of the boys – the main
And – who like/likes classical music – the other one (noun clause? I am not sure of he name), which modifies a word in the main one.

Which word? If modifies “one” than “likes” is correct. But if it modifies “boys”, than “like” would be the better choice.

I see that there are two group of boys: the boys who like classical music, and the boys who don’t. Michael is a member of a first group.

Can it be seen this way?

[fer1213.livejournal.com]

Which word? If modifies “one” than “likes” is correct. But if it modifies “boys”, than “like” would be the better choice.

Exactly, but since you made it one sentence, "one" is being modified instead of "boys".

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

ok, I can get behind this explanation. Still, there are some doubts. that's pretty much why I am making mistakes even when I know rules - every particular case sometimes puzzles me to no end. I knope I am not very bothersome though.