Behavior or behaviors

Question

Dear great mastersA friend of mine is writing a physics article. She has been examining a series of (physical) systems, and found that these systems do not behave the same. Which of the following two sentences is correct:The systems show a variety of behavior.The systems show a variety of behaviors.Thanks in advanceNiels

Usenet · Accepted Answer

At 02:47:08 on Mon, 2 Jan 2006, (Email Removed) wrote in (Email Removed):
[nq:1]A friend of mine is writing a physics article. She has been examining a series of (physical) systems, and found ... the following two sentences is correct: The systems show a variety of behavior. The systems show a variety of behaviors.[/nq]
Both sentences use the American spelling "behavior", whereas you are asking in a group which focusses on UK English, in which we use the spelling "behaviour". However, if the rest of the article is in US English spelling, it is best to remain consistent.

I would recommend the second version, since each behaviour is individual to the relevant system. "A variety of behaviour" would be more likely to refer to one system (or, indeed, person) exhibiting a range of different behaviour at different times. Presumably each system is consistent in its own behaviour, so the plural is the best choice.
Molly Mockford
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Behavior or behaviors

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