Home » Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

Discussion Forum (Archived)

Please consider registering
Guest
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_TopicIcon
plurals and possessives
Guest
1
2009/06/30 - 10:08am

Hello all! First time poster... long time listener to the program...

I have been tasked with leading a group of employees and board members on their quest to create a new vision statement for our credit union.

We have landed on a nice little stream of words, but I am having difficulty with the grammar. I am sure this is something I should have learned in fourth or fifth grade, but I can't seem to remember.

The statement we have is: "We create lifelong relationships that capture our members' imaginations."

I am ok on the plural of "member" because we have more than one member. Since it is that group's imagination it needs to be possessive. Where I am having trouble is whether imagination should be plural. Each member only has one imagination, but the group has many. By making imagination plural are we saying that our members share their imaginations with each other? Maybe I am just over thinking this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Mike

Guest
2
2009/06/30 - 10:29am

Welcome!

The context and meaning should govern if it is singular or plural. Here I like the plural, because you are affirming that each member is imagining a personal goal or desire. So it would be like: “Our Animal Control Unit captures our households' strays.” You would never say *”Our Animal Control Unit captures our households' stray.”

However, under different circumstances, if the possessive group functions as a collective, then the singular noun can be correctly used. For example: “The committee has called this press conference to inform you of our members' decision.”

I like your statement. Can I join your credit union?

Guest
3
2009/06/30 - 10:36am

Thanks Glenn! I agree with you on all points. I just wanted to make sure that it was correct before we put it in stone.

Anyone can join our credit union if they live or work in our four county field of membership in north east Wisconsin. (Winnebago, Washera, Waupaca, and Outagamie counties) Advertisement over. 🙂

If anyone has a different opinion about using the plural version, please let me know...

Guest
4
2009/06/30 - 5:22pm

Same opinion. What Glenn said is rock solid correct.

I wanted to post a link to the hilarious and strangely useful Dilbert Mission Statement Generator, but it's no longer available online for free.

Forum Timezone: UTC -7
Show Stats
Administrators:
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Moderators:
Grant Barrett
Top Posters:
Newest Members:
A Conversation with Dr Astein Osei
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 1
Topics: 3647
Posts: 18912

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 618
Members: 1268
Moderators: 1
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 1147
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 126
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Recent posts