What words are used with collective numerals: students, kittens, scissors, sleds, children, we? - briefly
Collective numerals in English are typically used with countable nouns to indicate a group or collection. These numerals are generally paired with words that can be quantified in plural form, such as students, kittens, scissors, sleds, and children.
- Students: "Both students completed the assignment."
- Kittens: "A few kittens were playing in the garden."
- Scissors: "Several scissors were scattered on the table."
- Sleds: "Many sleds were left outside after the snowstorm."
- Children: "All children enjoyed the field trip."
When referring to people in general or to a group that includes the speaker, the pronoun "we" is used. However, "we" is not typically quantified with collective numerals in the same way as countable nouns. Instead, it is often used with phrases indicating inclusion or collective action, such as "all of us" or "both of us."
What words are used with collective numerals: students, kittens, scissors, sleds, children, we? - in detail
Collective numerals in English, also known as collective number words, are used to refer to a group of items or people as a single entity. These numerals include "both," "several," "few," "many," "a couple of," "a few," "a couple," and others. The words "students," "kittens," "scissors," "sleds," "children," and "we" can all be used with collective numerals, but the specific numeral and the grammatical structure depend on the intended meaning and the nature of the noun.
Students, being a countable noun, can be used with various collective numerals. For example, "both students," "several students," "a few students," "many students," and "a couple of students" are all grammatically correct. The choice of numeral depends on the specific number of students being referred to and the nuance of meaning intended. For instance, "both students" refers to exactly two students, while "several students" implies more than two but not a large number.
Kittens, similarly, are countable and can be paired with collective numerals. "Both kittens," "a few kittens," "many kittens," and "a couple of kittens" are all valid constructions. The numeral "several" can also be used, indicating more than two but not a large number of kittens. The choice of numeral can convey different levels of specificity and quantity.
Scissors, although typically referring to a single pair, can also be used with collective numerals when referring to multiple pairs. For example, "both pairs of scissors," "a few pairs of scissors," "several pairs of scissors," and "many pairs of scissors" are all correct. The numeral "a couple of" can also be used to indicate two pairs of scissors. The key is to ensure that the noun is pluralized correctly to match the numeral.
Sleds, being countable, can be used with a variety of collective numerals. "Both sleds," "a few sleds," "several sleds," "many sleds," and "a couple of sleds" are all grammatically sound. The choice of numeral depends on the number of sleds being referred to and the intended emphasis. For instance, "a couple of sleds" suggests exactly two, while "several sleds" implies more than two but not a large number.
Children, like students and kittens, are countable and can be paired with collective numerals. "Both children," "a few children," "several children," "many children," and "a couple of children" are all correct. The numeral "few" can also be used to indicate a small number of children, while "many" refers to a large number. The choice of numeral can convey different levels of specificity and quantity.
The pronoun "we" refers to a group of people, including the speaker, and can be used with collective numerals to specify the number of people in the group. For example, "both of us," "a few of us," "several of us," "many of us," and "a couple of us" are all valid constructions. The numeral "few" can indicate a small number of people, while "many" refers to a large number. The choice of numeral depends on the specific number of people being referred to and the intended emphasis.
In summary, the words "students," "kittens," "scissors," "sleds," "children," and "we" can all be used with collective numerals. The specific numeral and grammatical structure depend on the intended meaning and the nature of the noun. Collective numerals provide a way to refer to groups of items or people as a single entity, allowing for precise and nuanced communication.