Should this be excel or excels?
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of his life.
Is it excel or excels?
grammatical-number
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
add a comment |
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of his life.
Is it excel or excels?
grammatical-number
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
Rare are the individuals who excel in all aspects of life, of whom Mike is one.
– Nigel J
Jan 21 '18 at 2:30
add a comment |
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of his life.
Is it excel or excels?
grammatical-number
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of his life.
Is it excel or excels?
grammatical-number
grammatical-number
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
edited Jan 23 '18 at 12:05
Araucaria
35.5k970149
35.5k970149
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
asked Jan 20 '18 at 13:29
calvinocalvino
152
152
Rare are the individuals who excel in all aspects of life, of whom Mike is one.
– Nigel J
Jan 21 '18 at 2:30
add a comment |
Rare are the individuals who excel in all aspects of life, of whom Mike is one.
– Nigel J
Jan 21 '18 at 2:30
Rare are the individuals who excel in all aspects of life, of whom Mike is one.
– Nigel J
Jan 21 '18 at 2:30
Rare are the individuals who excel in all aspects of life, of whom Mike is one.
– Nigel J
Jan 21 '18 at 2:30
add a comment |
4 Answers
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What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who? That will determine whether the verb excel is singular or plural as well as the possessive pronoun and the noun life.
If you invert the partitive construction, you get a sentence that reads:
Of those individuals who excel in all aspects of their lives, Mike is one.
Here, it's clear that the plural individuals is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and both the possessive and life should agree.
The difficulty arises because one attempts to apply a grammar rule drilled into our heads by an army of English teachers, but in a situation where it doesn't belong.
One of the artists who were to be awarded a prize in yesterday's ceremony was stuck at the airport.
While artists is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and thus determines the number of the verb in the relative clause, only one of these artists was stuck at the airport, thus one is the subject of the independent clause. The pattern one of [plural noun] = singular verb has been so fixed in our minds that we see it everywhere. Using a singular verb in your example is thus a hypercorrection.
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
add a comment |
"Excels" - if you're going to use his life, the verb needs to reference Mike.
If you want to use "excel", then it should be "their lives" to reference individuals.
EDIT:
As @FumbleFingers stated in the comments, "excels" references one of and not Mike.
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
2
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
add a comment |
It's excel.
The problem here is his. The noun phrase is "those rare individuals who excel", so excel is plural. What do they excel in? Their life.
There could be a question (and probably already is) about whether life should be singular or plural. I favour the singular.
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of their life.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
add a comment |
Excels.
If you shorten the sentence to its minimum you have "Mike excels in all aspects of his life."
Though I might use "excels at" rather than "excels in." I might also be wrong.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who? That will determine whether the verb excel is singular or plural as well as the possessive pronoun and the noun life.
If you invert the partitive construction, you get a sentence that reads:
Of those individuals who excel in all aspects of their lives, Mike is one.
Here, it's clear that the plural individuals is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and both the possessive and life should agree.
The difficulty arises because one attempts to apply a grammar rule drilled into our heads by an army of English teachers, but in a situation where it doesn't belong.
One of the artists who were to be awarded a prize in yesterday's ceremony was stuck at the airport.
While artists is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and thus determines the number of the verb in the relative clause, only one of these artists was stuck at the airport, thus one is the subject of the independent clause. The pattern one of [plural noun] = singular verb has been so fixed in our minds that we see it everywhere. Using a singular verb in your example is thus a hypercorrection.
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
add a comment |
What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who? That will determine whether the verb excel is singular or plural as well as the possessive pronoun and the noun life.
If you invert the partitive construction, you get a sentence that reads:
Of those individuals who excel in all aspects of their lives, Mike is one.
Here, it's clear that the plural individuals is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and both the possessive and life should agree.
The difficulty arises because one attempts to apply a grammar rule drilled into our heads by an army of English teachers, but in a situation where it doesn't belong.
One of the artists who were to be awarded a prize in yesterday's ceremony was stuck at the airport.
While artists is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and thus determines the number of the verb in the relative clause, only one of these artists was stuck at the airport, thus one is the subject of the independent clause. The pattern one of [plural noun] = singular verb has been so fixed in our minds that we see it everywhere. Using a singular verb in your example is thus a hypercorrection.
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
add a comment |
What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who? That will determine whether the verb excel is singular or plural as well as the possessive pronoun and the noun life.
If you invert the partitive construction, you get a sentence that reads:
Of those individuals who excel in all aspects of their lives, Mike is one.
Here, it's clear that the plural individuals is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and both the possessive and life should agree.
The difficulty arises because one attempts to apply a grammar rule drilled into our heads by an army of English teachers, but in a situation where it doesn't belong.
One of the artists who were to be awarded a prize in yesterday's ceremony was stuck at the airport.
While artists is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and thus determines the number of the verb in the relative clause, only one of these artists was stuck at the airport, thus one is the subject of the independent clause. The pattern one of [plural noun] = singular verb has been so fixed in our minds that we see it everywhere. Using a singular verb in your example is thus a hypercorrection.
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who? That will determine whether the verb excel is singular or plural as well as the possessive pronoun and the noun life.
If you invert the partitive construction, you get a sentence that reads:
Of those individuals who excel in all aspects of their lives, Mike is one.
Here, it's clear that the plural individuals is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and both the possessive and life should agree.
The difficulty arises because one attempts to apply a grammar rule drilled into our heads by an army of English teachers, but in a situation where it doesn't belong.
One of the artists who were to be awarded a prize in yesterday's ceremony was stuck at the airport.
While artists is the antecedent of the relative pronoun who and thus determines the number of the verb in the relative clause, only one of these artists was stuck at the airport, thus one is the subject of the independent clause. The pattern one of [plural noun] = singular verb has been so fixed in our minds that we see it everywhere. Using a singular verb in your example is thus a hypercorrection.
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
edited 22 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
answered Jan 20 '18 at 17:46
KarlGKarlG
22k53160
22k53160
add a comment |
add a comment |
"Excels" - if you're going to use his life, the verb needs to reference Mike.
If you want to use "excel", then it should be "their lives" to reference individuals.
EDIT:
As @FumbleFingers stated in the comments, "excels" references one of and not Mike.
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
2
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
add a comment |
"Excels" - if you're going to use his life, the verb needs to reference Mike.
If you want to use "excel", then it should be "their lives" to reference individuals.
EDIT:
As @FumbleFingers stated in the comments, "excels" references one of and not Mike.
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
2
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
add a comment |
"Excels" - if you're going to use his life, the verb needs to reference Mike.
If you want to use "excel", then it should be "their lives" to reference individuals.
EDIT:
As @FumbleFingers stated in the comments, "excels" references one of and not Mike.
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
"Excels" - if you're going to use his life, the verb needs to reference Mike.
If you want to use "excel", then it should be "their lives" to reference individuals.
EDIT:
As @FumbleFingers stated in the comments, "excels" references one of and not Mike.
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
edited 21 mins ago
Laurel
33k664117
33k664117
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:41
5ar5ar
1294
1294
2
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
add a comment |
2
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
2
2
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Agreed the verb should be in the singular form excels. But not because it references Mike - it's because it references singular one of those people.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:32
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
Hmm... I agree with you on that. However, in case of needing to be politically correct, if we take out Mike from the sentence should his be changed his or her? I understand this is no longer a question about grammar but style, but I'm genuinely interested to hear an opinion on the matter.
– 5ar
Jan 20 '18 at 16:02
add a comment |
It's excel.
The problem here is his. The noun phrase is "those rare individuals who excel", so excel is plural. What do they excel in? Their life.
There could be a question (and probably already is) about whether life should be singular or plural. I favour the singular.
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of their life.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
add a comment |
It's excel.
The problem here is his. The noun phrase is "those rare individuals who excel", so excel is plural. What do they excel in? Their life.
There could be a question (and probably already is) about whether life should be singular or plural. I favour the singular.
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of their life.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
add a comment |
It's excel.
The problem here is his. The noun phrase is "those rare individuals who excel", so excel is plural. What do they excel in? Their life.
There could be a question (and probably already is) about whether life should be singular or plural. I favour the singular.
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of their life.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
It's excel.
The problem here is his. The noun phrase is "those rare individuals who excel", so excel is plural. What do they excel in? Their life.
There could be a question (and probably already is) about whether life should be singular or plural. I favour the singular.
Mike is one of those rare individuals who excel in all aspects of their life.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:38
Andrew Leach♦Andrew Leach
80k8153257
80k8153257
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
add a comment |
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
I don't agree that the subject noun phrase is unquestionably those rare individuals who excel. It could just as well be one of those rare individuals who excel. It's true that Google Books claims 4480 written instances of one of those people who like, but that must be set against 2950 instances of singular one of those people who likes, which is certainly fine by me. It's about stylistic choice/emphasis, not grammar.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:27
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
And in fact it has to be seen as singular in OP's exact context, given all aspects of his life. If it had been their life that could be interpreted either way, whereas their lives would only really work if we assume a plural subject.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 20 '18 at 15:30
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
@FumbleFingers I fail to see any essential difference between KarlG's answer and this one.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jan 20 '18 at 23:14
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
KarlG's answer wasn't there when I commented before. I think you're right that it says essentially the same as yours, so I disagree with both of them (as regards the specific claim that only plural is correct). My position remains that (1) - a ratio of 4480:2950 for written instances strongly implies both are in common use, so in practice both are "valid" from my perspective, and (2) I've made the "logical" case for singular by pointing out that the referent can reasonably be seen as one [instance of some category].
– FumbleFingers
Jan 21 '18 at 15:03
add a comment |
Excels.
If you shorten the sentence to its minimum you have "Mike excels in all aspects of his life."
Though I might use "excels at" rather than "excels in." I might also be wrong.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
add a comment |
Excels.
If you shorten the sentence to its minimum you have "Mike excels in all aspects of his life."
Though I might use "excels at" rather than "excels in." I might also be wrong.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
add a comment |
Excels.
If you shorten the sentence to its minimum you have "Mike excels in all aspects of his life."
Though I might use "excels at" rather than "excels in." I might also be wrong.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
Excels.
If you shorten the sentence to its minimum you have "Mike excels in all aspects of his life."
Though I might use "excels at" rather than "excels in." I might also be wrong.
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
answered Jan 20 '18 at 13:42
NomadMakerNomadMaker
1043
1043
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Rare are the individuals who excel in all aspects of life, of whom Mike is one.
– Nigel J
Jan 21 '18 at 2:30