more than one

more than one
Although this phrase obviously expresses a plural idea, it is followed by a verb in the singular: "More than one story about this event has been printed." The verb is singular because of its relation (attraction) to one, not more. If the phrase is divided, however, the verb becomes plural: "More stories about this event than one have been printed." The same grammatical consideration applies to the phrase "all but one": "Sue says that all but one child has been fed." "All of the fifteen children but one were fed."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • more than one can chew — See: BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • more than one can chew — See: BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • more than one could shake a stick at — {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very many; a great many; more than you can count. * /There were more people at the game than you could shake a stick at./ * /I had more assignments for homework than I could shake a stick at./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • more than one could shake a stick at — {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very many; a great many; more than you can count. * /There were more people at the game than you could shake a stick at./ * /I had more assignments for homework than I could shake a stick at./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • bite off more than one can chew — {v. phr.}, {informal} To try to do more than you can; be too confident of your ability. * /He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to edit the paper alone./ * /He started to repair his car himself, but realized that he had bitten off… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • bite off more than one can chew — {v. phr.}, {informal} To try to do more than you can; be too confident of your ability. * /He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to edit the paper alone./ * /He started to repair his car himself, but realized that he had bitten off… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • there is more than one way to get a pig to market — or[flay a fox] or[skin a cat] There are always new and different ways to accomplish a difficult task. A proverb. * / How did you get Tommy to study so hard? Eleanor asked. I simply disconnected the television set, Tommy s mother answered. There s …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • there is more than one way to get a pig to market — or[flay a fox] or[skin a cat] There are always new and different ways to accomplish a difficult task. A proverb. * / How did you get Tommy to study so hard? Eleanor asked. I simply disconnected the television set, Tommy s mother answered. There s …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • bite off more than one can chew — phrasal to undertake more than one can handle …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • More than a Feeling — Infobox Single Name = More Than a Feeling Artist = Boston from Album = Boston Released = August 25, 1976 Format = 12 Vinyl Recorded = October 1975 April 1976 Genre = Hard rock Length = 4:45 Label = Epic Writer = Tom Scholz Producer = John Boylan …   Wikipedia

  • Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes — Studio album by David Cassidy Released …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”