Let's talk, how many languages do you handle??? I have always wondered. You must be at least trilingual!
SkateFiguring is trilingual at least, too. It often amazes me that a lot of GS members speaks so many languages, while I am struggling with singular/plural form on nouns and/or subjunctive mode all the time...:
I am also amazed and impressed. In several different alphabets and writing systems, no less! Add skatinginbc to the list of multilingual prodigies as well. This is a talented and accomplished bunch, isn't it?
And your English is splendid, deedee. As for subjunctive, as let's talk says, many native English speakers goof up this mood--probably because we don't really have a separate subjunctive form. (On a related topic, if I had a nickel for every time I heard a native speaker say "I should have went" instead of "I should have gone," I'd be a lot better off.)
By the way, let's talk, I read somewhere that before the Civil War, people used to use the plural verb for the United States: "The United States are." Now we use the singular: "The United States is." I love how elastic language can be. Part of that particular change may be philosophical, and part may be a separation from British English. I've noticed that in Britain they use the plural verb for a company name: "Cadbury are a British chocolate manufacturer." In the U.S., we use the singular; "Hershey is an American chocolate manufacturer." The Brits say "My family are in London for the Olympics." We say "My family is in London for the Olympics." (I wish!)
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