Should I pluralize the object of a plural subject?

Asked Jan 20 '20 at 17:49

Active Jan 20 '20 at 17:53

Viewed 103 times

Examples:

We can help ensure future shoppers complete their purchase.

We can help ensure future shoppers complete their purchases.

Another:

The new law mandates city bikers wear a helmet.

vs.

The new law mandates city bikers wear helmets.

I believe I was taught that the pluralization of the subject must match the pluralization of the object. So, "mandates city bikers wear a helmet" would be incorrect, since it would technically imply those bikers were collectively wearing a single helmet. If we really wanted to use "a helmet", we could say "The new law mandates every city biker wear a helmet", since every singularizes biker.

But, common usage would imply both are correct. What's the proper form here?

asked Jan 20 '20 at 17:49

akowalz

1

A shopper might make one or more purchases, but a biker will only wear one helmet. So the first pair of examples about shoppers can be either, but the second about bikers might be arguable. – Weather Vane Jan 20 '20 at 17:51
Why don't you regard the option "The new law mandates city bikers to wear their helmets"/"The new law mandates that city bikers wear their helmets"? – Victor B. Jan 20 '20 at 18:17
Related post – Victor B. Jan 20 '20 at 18:22

Should I pluralize the object of a plural subject?

0 Answers0