Singular or plural?

Question

Can anyone give me any pointers on this? Is it correct to say, for example, "the classical and the new case" or "the classical and the new cases"? Assuming there are only two cases, one classical and one new. I'm for using "case". If we used "cases" (with the use of "the" twice) it could also mean "the classical cases and the new cases" whereas there's only one classical case and one new case.
I could use "cases" if the sentence read "the classical and new cases". Only one "the". My coworkers are for using "cases" in both sentences.
I'm a copyeditor so this is really important to my work. I'll be very grateful to anyone who can help or maybe point me in the direction of the right forum for grammar. Thanks a million.

Miriam · Accepted Answer

Hello, coffeecustard. Welcome to the forums

These are the right forums!
You can also have a look at the Grammar section here: [url="http://www.EnglishForward.com/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=12"]General English grammar questions[/url]

I'd use the plural, cases.

Suppose you have a blonde girl and a brunette girl.
You'd say "the blonde and the brunette girls" because "the blonde and the brunette girl" might mean that the same girl is both blonde and brunette.

Or there may be two clocks in a room; one old, one new. I would say "The old and the new clocks were donated to the museum by the same person", not "the old and the new watch", because then I'd have to say "was donated", and it wouldn't make any sense since I am talking about two clocks, not one.

If you have one classical case and one new case, then you have two cases. My suggestion is "the classical and the new cases".

Perhaps you will want to wait until other responses are posted.

Miriam

Singular or plural?

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